Mayor John Tory said the city has forgiven some fees for flood-struck businesses and will aim to help make them thrive and be healthy by getting people to the islands. ( Fatima Syed ) Visitors disembark from the Centre Island ferry on July 31, 2017 after ferry service, halted due to flood damage to the islands, finally resumed. ( David rider / Toronto Star ) | Order this photo Ferryloads full of daytrippers, bikes and dogs crossed over to the Toronto Islands Monday after flooding kept much of the islands' offerings closed for the first half of the summer. ( Fatima Syed ) A lifeguard patrols an empty Centre Island beach on Monday behind sandbags that not long ahead held back Lake Ontario at historic levels. ( David Rider ) An excited but moderate-sized crowd visited Centre Island on its opening day after flooding forced it to stay closed for the first half of summer. ( Fatima Syed ) City staff estimate high-water costs of about $4.9 million until the end of July as a result of spring flooding. ( Fatima Syed ) By David RiderCity Hall Bureau Chief Fatima SyedStaff Reporter

Mon., July 31, 2017

The feeling of excitement was palpable across the packed ferry Monday to Centre Island. Tourists and locals were well-prepared with bikes, picnic baskets, dogs and selfie sticks at the ready.

Three little boys, visiting their grandparents from Scotland, were discussing their attempt to set a record for most forms of transportation ridden in one day. They took the streetcar to the Jack Layton Ferry terminal. Their plan was to rent a bike, maybe ride a horse or a pony. The only debate was whether or not the rides at Centreville Amusement Park counted as modes of transportation.

Their grandparents, Katie and David Coombs, are semiregular visitors to the islands, and sail over from their house in High Park once or twice a year.

Its exciting, said Katie. Its finally open.

Despite the flooding, the islands are pretty much how everyone remembers them.

As of Monday, Centreville and all beaches are open, though some parts of the beaches are fenced off.

The Centreville Train and Far Enough Farm are closed, and the pony ride isnt quite open yet. High lake levels means the bumper boats and swan rides remain closed. But the restaurants and most rides are open, including the antique carousel that is set to be sold and a new $2 million overhead chairlift.

Bill Beasley, president of Centreville operator Beasley Enterprises, said the closure due to flooding cost the business more than $8 million in sales and more than $1 million in profits, though he added that the losses followed two very good years.

Were definitely going to be here for another 10 years at least. Well get through it, he said.

According to Shawnda Walker, Centrevilles director of marketing, the barns and pens at the farm are flooded and rotting, and the animals have been moved. They will return next season after their home has been rebuilt.

More than half the students who couldnt start summer jobs at Centreville are getting to work, with another 100 hired at a recent job fair.

Hiba Malik, a park employee, said that its been hard for the last couple of months with nowhere to work. But shes sure the rest of summer will go well. Right now people are here for the barbecue and to check it out, said Malik. It will pick up over the next two to three days.

Walker is expecting the crowds to get bigger. I think people just thought it may be really busy today because its the first day, said Walker. We dont want big lineups today. We want a steady crowd, and thats what weve got.

Its a perfect sunny day, and thats our motto, said Walker, echoing the parks slogan, Its always sunny at Centreville.

On opening day, many picnic benches and swing sets sat empty, but, said one senior resident, its starting to feel like summer. While many rides sat idle, children were excited to return.

This is my last moment on Centre Island, said a 10-year old to his parents as he waited for the ferry to go back. Can we come back soon?

With files from David Rider

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It's finally 'starting to feel like summer' as Toronto Islands reopen - Toronto Star