It’s been eleven years to the day since the Toronto Maple Leafs played their last game at Maple Leaf Gardens (MLG). Since then, there has been a lot of speculation as to what would happen to the historic building located at 60 Carlton Street (at Church St.).
In 2004, Loblaws announced that it had bought the Gardens and that they were going to turn it into one of their retail locations. But uproar from the local community and history aficionados stalled that plan.
Since then, the building has been used for various events like films, television programs, and benefit concerts.
Finally, eleven years later, we can rest easy as Loblaws reached a deal with Ryerson University that will please most people.
Last spring Ryerson students voted to increase athletic fees to build a new athletic centre. Ryerson then entered into discussions with Loblaws about redeveloping Maple Leaf Gardens as a mixed-use athletic and retail facility.
On December 1, 2009 the government of Canada announced that they would be contributing $20 million toward Ryerson’s new sports and recreation centre at the Gardens. This donation made it possible for the project to proceed.
The reconstructed Maple Leaf Gardens will also include a heritage section which will commemorate its legacy.
It is remarkable how well the City of Toronto and its citizens and businesses can work together to recycle their historical buildings/sites. It makes me proud to be a member of this city.
Below are artist renditions of what the exterior and interior of the gardens will look like after the project is completed in 2011.
In addition, I posted videos of the closing celebration during the last Maple Leafs game at MLG on Saturday, February 13, 1999.
