Toronto hockey arena to be demolished to make way for new tower

A Toronto arena dating back to 1960 could soon be torn down to clear a path for a new 30-storey tower.

Don Mills Civitan Arena at 1030 Don Mills Rd. is the latest nostalgic stitch in the urban fabric to be targeted for demolition, with the indoor frozen pond planned to meet the proverbial wrecking ball to make way for a new phase in The Shops at Don Mills community.

The City-owned facility is the subject of a land swap deal between developer Cadillac Fairview and the City of Toronto that will exchange the arena for a plot of privately-owned land at 966 Don Mills Rd., destined to become a new public park for the growing community.

Cadillac Fairview intends to build a 30-storey, BDP Quadrangle-designed tower in place of the current arena, rising to a height of approximately 103 metres.

Unsurprisingly, Cadillac Fairview is pursuing the project as a purpose-built rental, set to house 402 rental units.

The proposal joins a growing list of rental plans in the city as developers respond to a historic downturn in the condo market and a wave of project cancellations. Condominium developers are now increasingly turning to the rental market to keep business going as buyers balk en masse at the bloated market of high-priced, shoebox-sized units.

Don Mills Civitan Arena is home to one rink and a dry pad, and offers drop-in leisure skating on Fridays through Sundays.

The arena has been targeted for replacement for close to 20 years now, and was previously slated to close its doors in 2020 ahead of redevelopment.

While the area will indeed lose a longstanding amenity in the rink, a brand-new arena is slated to open within the upcoming Don Mills Community Recreation Centre at 844 Don Mills Rd.