The Commerce Times

Levy shoots and finally scores the Gardens

“It’s on Church, and it’s our church.”

Sheldon Levy, president of Ryerson University proclaimed this several days after the announcement of the purchase of the last standing Original Six hockey shrine, the Maple Leaf Gardens (MLG).

After losing out to Loblaw back in 2004 for the arena and unable to come to terms for a partnership the year afterwards due to funding and monetary issues, Levy went back to the drawing board.

“We had no money at that time,” Levy said. And any dreams of finding a permanent home for the Rams faded for the time being.

When announced back in 2006, the Master Plan had three main objectives: making sure that Ryerson University takes a responsible stance on vertical integration of future projects, ensuring that the campus is a welcoming place not only to students but for the community and “design excellence.”

Levy, a huge hockey fan himself, did not let the dream fade into obscurity. He regards November 24, 2008 as the day everything started to fall back into place and recalls it with great pride.

“The students voted an overwhelming “YES” to raise fees for a new athletic centre. Loblaw decided to stall plans to build a Superstore at MLG, headlines were made that new hockey rinks were primarily being built in Conservative ridings, gender issues arose at City of Toronto hockey rinks, and the federal government was well into its stimulus funding programs,” said Levy.

“If you say no, everybody in Canada would hear about it, let alone in Toronto,” Levy said about the federal government’s decision to contribute $20 million. “But it was in their interests to truly help the community and rejuvenate the community.”

Now that reality has set in and planning and development is well underway, Levy shared how the redevelopment of the Maple Leaf Gardens affects the Master Plan.

“In the Master Plan there were two things that were identified as shortcomings: study space for students and athletic recreation space. We go from, believe it or not, worst off in Ontario to the best. We go from worst to first in one big leap,” Levy said.

This now means that the university must solve the problem that plagues the Ted Rogers School of Management (TRSM). Because the TRSM stands a couple blocks from the main campus, identifying the future varsity complex as part of Ryerson University will be tricky.

“We will have a lot of master planning issues with regards to landscaping, footpaths, etc,” Levy said. “And all of those are being brought up now. It’s right in the heart of the Master Plan.”

The investment in Maple Leaf Gardens also means that a key proposal of the Master Plan, the redevelopment of Kerr Hall, has indefinitely been postponed.

“It’s just too expensive to do,” Levy said. “It’s a goal, but it’s a long time coming.”

While plans have not been finalized as to what will occupy the 150,000 sq. foot complex, Levy reiterates that every single stakeholder in Ryerson University will feel at home there.

Levy said that Ryerson also plans to use some of the building space for things beside varsity athletics.

“We have not decided exactly what academic use will be put to it. We don’t want to get ahead of ourselves with too much dreaming and then be disappointed. So a lot of work has to begin now,” said Levy.

“This building is funded by every student at the university, so every student at the university has to feel welcome and there has to be a place for everyone.”