Part Of Jarvis Renamed Ted Rogers Way

The one-year anniversary of the death of Canadian media magnate Ted Rogers was marked with a special tribute downtown Wednesday.

The telecommunications pioneer passed away at the age of 75 and his life and achievements were commemorated by the city with a stretch of Jarvis Street, between Bloor and Charles, being renamed Ted Rogers Way.

“Ted Rogers was a visionary, a prominent and successful businessman who built Rogers Communications into a Canadian leader in wireless communications, cable television, broadcasting and more,” said Mayor David Miller.

“While his business achievements are legendary, he was also a great humanitarian who supported educational and health care institutions such as the University of Toronto, Ryerson University, Toronto General Hospital, Toronto Western Hospital, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Sheena’s Place and many others. He was a tremendous person who gave so much to his city.”

Rogers’ wife Loretta, and other family members and colleagues, were also in attendance.

 “In many ways Ted was larger than life, so today’s events add to this legacy,” she said.

“I’m sure he is pleased and I know we in the Rogers family are very pleased.”

Top Rogers executives and Loretta Rogers also attended a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the new home of Citytv and OMNI at 33 Dundas St. East, in Yonge-Dundas Square, at 8am Wednesday. The building was dedicated to Rogers with the unveiling of a memorial plaque.

“Ted Rogers chose this building. He loved the views out the windows and the energy on the street and he led the charge for the multi-million dollar transformation of this space,” Rogers Media Television CEO Leslie Sole said.

City Councillor Kyle Rae said the addition of Citytv has transformed the Yonge and Dundas area, which was headed in a “downward spiral” in the late 1990s.

Tune into Citytv Wednesday night at 7pm for a special airing of the in-depth biography “Ted Rogers: A Life in Broadcasting”.