They're finally doing it...

[CanadianChris]

Landmark => supermarket. A sad, sad day for hockey fans everywhere...

 

Gardens ice melts away

Council endorses Loblaws conversion

Rink not likely in supermarket plans

 

 

PAUL MOLONEY

CITY HALL BUREAU

 

The only ice at the new Maple Leaf Gardens will likely be in the seafood department. Yesterday, city council gave its blessing to convert the former hockey shrine on Carlton St. into a Loblaws supermarket.

 

At the behest of Mayor David Miller, council sought one last look at including a skating surface in the project, but the chances were rated as slim.

 

"It's a very, very remote possibility," said Robert Hunter of Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment.

 

Councillor Kyle Rae said he has tried since 1999, when the Toronto Maple Leafs moved to the Air Canada Centre, to keep an ice rink at the Gardens.

 

Ottawa Senators owner Eugene Melnyk had shown interest in the Gardens for junior hockey but that went nowhere, said Rae (Ward 27, Toronto Centre-Rosedale).

 

Rae said proposals have included an entertainment centre, a venue for Cirque du Soleil, condo towers rising through the roof, a Home Depot and, finally, a supermarket.

 

"I would love to have an ice rink on that site," Rae said. "It has always been on the agenda. Each of them has gone away and looked at it and said it is far too expensive. I've been told four or five times that it's not possible."

 

However, in talks with the grocery giant, agreement has been reached to keep the exterior, including the marquee and rooftop Maple Leaf logos, and to continue calling the building Maple Leaf Gardens, he said.

 

Rae added the new development will include not only a three-level supermarket and two levels of parking but a fitness centre, liquor store and post office.

 

"It will be jobs back into the neighbourhood. It will be services back into the neighbourhood. It will be more people visiting the neighbourhood."

 

Hunter said Loblaws could start work as early as September and open the supermarket 20 to 24 months later.

 

Hunter added he was "happy and relieved" the five-year quest to find a new life for the building has been endorsed by city council in a 25-1 vote.

 

The lone opponent was Councillor Joe Mihevc (Ward 21, St. Paul's), who described the planned makeover as inadequate for a building of such historic significance. "I don't think the Loblaws proposal is the worst thing that could happen," Mihevc said. "However, I don't think it's the best thing that could happen to Maple Leaf Gardens. I think we could have done more."

 

Source:Toronto Star

[starvenger]

Yeah, it sucks, but at least they're not callous enough to tear down the exteriors...

[nl5xsk1]

Nothing pisses me off more than the fact that these great old buildings are being destroyed ... everytime I walk into the Fleetcenter I get depressed knowing how much more enjoyable the game would be in the old Garden.

 

And like starvenger said, at least it'll still be standing. I'd love it if the Garden still existed, even if it was just the shell with something else inside.

[treble]

Motherfucker. I was hoping better judgment would prevail and that they'd sell it to Melnyk for the Majors to play in.

 

Do they really need a supermarket that big?

[starvenger]

Do they really need a supermarket that big?

Probably not, seeing as they've already got a fricking huge one down on Queen's Quay. And parking is already crap at that intersection...

[Guest Vitamin X]

Rae added the new development will include not only a three-level supermarket and two levels of parking but a fitness centre, liquor store and post office.

 

Well damn that's the place to be.

 

Loblaws deals a low blow.

[Dr. Tom]

Nothing pisses me off more than the fact that these great old buildings are being destroyed ... everytime I walk into the Fleetcenter I get depressed knowing how much more enjoyable the game would be in the old Garden.

See, I'm the opposite. I liked Memorial Stadium and all, but the seats were cramped in terms of legroom, viewing angles were not optimal, and much of the upper deck was hard steel benches. Having been to both Camden Yards and M&T Bank Stadium several times each, I definitely prefer the newer stadia. More legroom, better viewing angles, more and better amenities, etc.

 

Old ballparks and arenas have a lot of ambience, which I can appreciate, but damnit, I want some creature comforts, too.

[Guest Choken One]

I would usually say "It's just a damn building...what all matters is the memories...."

 

But when it's being torn down for a god damn supermarket...I can't agree with that...A Parking lot for the new arena/stadium...that's fine...

 

Is Fenway going to be torn down for a BP Station in 10 years?

[KingPK]

I agree with Tom here. I'd much rather go to the Fleet than the old Garden (of course, I've only been to each place twice in my life), and I'd choose Gillette Stadium over Foxboro Stadium any time. There just comes a point where the building outlives its usefulness and an upgrade is needed. The trick is to make the new place offer as much uniqueness as the old one. The problem with the Fleetcenter is that it is pretty damn bland, and the teams that play in it aren't nearly as successful than the Celtics and Bruins were in the Garden, so I can't blame people who slag it.

[The Czech Republic]

This is freaking insane. There's no way they can turn Maple Leaf Gardens into a freaking supermarket. Isn't there anything the team can do? Make a museum or something to complement the HoF? I'm not a Leafs fan. At all. They've got Ed Belfour, they can be in Canada and have a payroll, and they beat the Blackhawks in the last game of Chicago Stadium. But MLG is a cool building and hockey shouldn't see it go.

[EVIL~! alkeiper]

Its definately a problem, as old sports stadium grow out of use. They're landmarks, no doubt, but they're also white elephants. But there's got to be some way to keep these places around. Memorial Stadium and the Vet weren't worth saving, but places like Boston Gardens, Ebbets Field, etc., are places we wish we would have saved. Tiger Stadium has been in danger the last few years.

[starvenger]

Its definately a problem, as old sports stadium grow out of use. They're landmarks, no doubt, but they're also white elephants. But there's got to be some way to keep these places around. Memorial Stadium and the Vet weren't worth saving, but places like Boston Gardens, Ebbets Field, etc., are places we wish we would have saved. Tiger Stadium has been in danger the last few years.

That's part of the problem, really. MLG is on a prime piece of real estate, in the heart of downtown Toronto, so it was inevitable that it would be used for SOMETHING. So with that in mind, gutting the inside and transforming it into something different is about the best you could do...