Ice rink to open at Maple Leaf Gardens for first time in over 10 years
Posted November 29, 2011 5:51 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
TORONTO, Ont. – For the first time in more than a decade, there is ice at Toronto’s storied Maple Leaf Gardens.
The new rink, part of Ryerson University’s Athletic Centre at the Gardens, is opening for a preview, Tuesday.
The rink is on the third floor of the renovated arena, with the athletic facility’s gym on the second and a big Loblaw’s store below.
The Gardens will reopen for the first time since 1999, when the Maple Leafs moved to the Air Canada Centre after nearly seven decades at the old arena.
Ryerson, a nearby university, plans to use the rink as a home for its hockey team.
It will also be possible to melt the ice so the space can be used for exams and other functions.
The Loblaw’s store is slated to open Wednesday morning, along with a liquor board outlet, clothing store and other retail space.
The historic former NHL arena was long known as the Carlton Street Cashbox because it was always full with rabid hockey fans for Leaf games.
The redevelopment costs included millions of dollars from the grocery store giant, Ryerson and government infrastructure and other programs.
