Going the way of the Forum

Gardens ice melts away
Council endorses Loblaws conversion
Rink not
likely in supermarket plans

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."