Maple Leaf Gardens Will Reopen As An Ice Rink – And A Loblaws

The fabled Maple Leaf Gardens will reopen as an ice rink – and a Loblaws.

A deal between Ryerson University and Loblaw Companies Ltd. includes an athletic centre for the school and a grocery store.

And if plans go ahead as promised, the rink could even be opened to the public.

“Our recreation activities will have room to grow and flourish,” Sheldon Levy, Ryerson President outlined.

“Our varsity sports and athletics will have the facilities and opportunities to excel,” he added.

The federal government is expected to contribute $20 million of the total $60 million cost.

Students, meanwhile, are ponying up a third of the cost: an extra $126 a year in athletic fees. The last $20 million is expected to come through fundraising. 

“Playing here would just be incredible,” beamed a member of the Ryerson Rams hockey team.

“It brings a brighter light on the whole community in general,” Kevin Krasnowski continued.

But the original ice is going – it will be ripped up and a parking lot will be put in its place.

The iconic façade will remain as is, but the interior will be completely changed: a Superstore will take over the main floor, and the top two floors will become an athletic facility.

The sports centre will cover 150,000 square feet and, in addition to the rink, will host a four-lane, 200-metre running track, basketball and volleyball courts with telescoping bleachers, a fitness centre, a gym and academic space. 

The Gardens opened in 1931 and the Leafs moved down the street to the Air Canada Centre in February 1999. In 2004, Loblaw bought Maple Leaf Gardens in 2004 from Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment.

With files from The Canadian Press.

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