City
The Maple Leaf Gardens makeover
Renovations on Maple Leaf Gardens steadily continue as construction crews try to meet a projected spring 2011 completion date of the joint Loblaws and Ryerson facility. As part of a deal that provided the project with a sum of $20-million from Canada's Infrastructure Stimulus Fund, the makeover of the original six arena must be finished by March 31, 2011.
As Greg Alexander, one of the principal architects on the renovation, told the Star in March, that's "a very challenging time frame." So work has been ongoing since funding was secured without a whole lot of time to spare. As of mid-May, the north and south stands had been removed, the structure of the building had been reinforced, much of the east and west seating had been removed, and the rink bed had been removed to allow for work on underground parking. At this time, Ryerson and BBB Architects / Stadium Consultants International also released plans that reveals what the finished product might look like, including a cross-section of the new facility.
As of the most recent photo below, a considerable amount of the parking level has been built and it would appear that no stands remain in place (though admittedly not all sides of the building are visible). There's obviously still a lot of work left to be done, but here's a photographic timeline of what's happened up to the beginning of the month.
Nuit Blanche 2008 (for reference)
Photo by Salsavaders.
December 2009
Photo by Big Blue Toe Productions.
January 2010
Photos from Ryerson and Loblaw Companies Limited.
March 2010
Photo by ThePerkyCarrot.
August 2010
Photo by Loozrboy.
Photo by tanjatiziana.
October 2010
Photo by Chris Schafer.
Architectural renderings from Ryerson University / BBB Architects / Stadium Consultants International
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I am pretty irritated with them because I'm an Image Arts student and my building and facilities promised to me in my first year have been taken away, promised to return this year, and now they have admitted will not be ready before I graduate. I don't know the details, but I of course draw the conclusion that the Maple Leaf Gardens project is why. The deadline for that project is probably causing most of the construction to focus on that.
Just seems to me that the school should have focused on one major reconstruction/expansion project at a time, rather than three at once. I think that reshaping the image of the school is of course, a great thing, but not so much when your at a loss because of it.
Of course, I don't know shit about construction so maybe I'm completely off, who knows.
They were originally supposed to have that AMC theatre built and hosting classes before I started, and it didn't get finished till after I left and has never hosted classes to my knowledge.
We were actually so short of space in my second year (double cohort year) that we had to take classes in the old Carlton Theatre, and much of the Best Western nearby was used as a student residence.
The engineering building and the business building were both late as far as I know.
Not that they haven't gotten new facilities, or that the facilities they have are lacking. It's just that you really can't count on anything until it's actually finished. Building giant infrastructure in the center of downtown Toronto is physically, economically, and politically complicated.
But FYI, they are now used for lectures all the time - as well as Ryerson Events. When the stuff at Ryerson *is* complete - it does get used, and it's really great -- just ask the people who've used the recently finished projects like the Engineering Building and the Graphics Communication Building.
But I agree with you that "Building giant infrastructure in the center of downtown Toronto is physically, economically, and politically complicated."
If it were still functioning it would probably be the city's #1 tourist destination. You folks are off your rocker.
What is up with the negative comments?
Oh wait, it's Toronto.
n/m, Gravy Trains, y'all!
I was pretty skeptical of the re-design plans, but this isn't so bad I guess. I hope they don't change the marquee out front though.
Similarly, I think the transformation of Ryerson University since I graduated in the late 90s is remarkable. When I walk through the campus now I barely recognize it. The delays to the Toronto Life/AMC building were far beyond the control of Ryerson. I look forward to the continuing transformation of that area, in particular the new student centre soon to be replacing the Sam the Record Man building. I vividly remember what the Yonge/Dundas area was like a decade ago: does anyone actually miss The World's Biggest Jeans Store, with the prostitutes operating upstairs and drug dealers out front? Nothing is perfect, but in general I think we should be celebrating this sort of urban rejuvenation, not griping about it. Just my opinion.
I noticed a comment a little up the chain..... It said, "they should of put the Hockey hall of Fame in there"! Hell ya! That would have been an amazing idea! Scrap the fitness center and use it's space for the H.O F. The fitness center can move down to the existing Hall of Fame.... Lol.
I thought they protect historic landsites?
Now I get to buy toilet paper where I might have been sitting during a Leaf's game or a live concert :(
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ryerson-University/6017214773
We win!