HERITAGE TORONTO

To:Policy and Finance Committee20 July 1999

From:Managing Director, Toronto Historical Board

Subject: 2 Strachan Avenue, The Coliseum - Hockey Proposal

Purpose:

To request that heritage issues associated with the proposal to relocate an International Hockey League team to Toronto and the Coliseum building at Exhibition Place be examined.

Funding Sources, Financial Implications and Impact Statement:

N/A

 Recommendation:

1. Should Council endorse exploring the feasibility of this proposal, the study team be required to engage the services of a conservation architect to examine whether changes for an International Hockey League team could be accommodated without an adverse impact on the heritage character of the Coliseum.

Background:

The Coliseum at Exhibition Place is designated under the Ontario Heritage Act by city by-law

254-96, adopted on May 21, 1996.

Heritage Toronto staff has only recently learned that a proposal to move an International Hockey League team to Toronto is being considered and that the team's relocation could include alterations to the Coliseum.

Comments:

As the Local Architectural Conservation Advisory Committee for the area represented by Toronto Community Council, Heritage Toronto is interested in any proposals affecting the Coliseum. In particular, we would like to ascertain that changes could be made without having an adverse impact on the exterior of the building. We would therefore recommend that, should Council endorse exploring the feasibility of this proposal, the study team be required to engage the services of a conservation architect to examine critically how an ice rink and necessary seating might be accommodated without affecting the heritage character of the Coliseum.

Heritage Toronto also notes that there are questions about the future of Maple Leaf Gardens, another designated site. We understand too that there are also proposals for new arenas at the University of Toronto and for the St. Mike's Majors (at Bathurst and St. Clair). The proponents should be requested to review the use of these other arenas, especially Maple Leaf Gardens, as part of their feasibility study.

Contact Name:

Name: Richard L. Stromberg

Title: Manager, Historic Preservation

Tel: 392-6827, ext. 236

Fax: 392-6834

(g:\report\1999\policy99\99001.thb)

   George Waters,

Acting Managing Director

copy:Councillor Pantalone

Councillor Silva

Councillor Bossons

Councillor Prue

Commissioner, Urban Planning & Development Services; attn.: B. Bowron

Ms. Dianne Young, General Manager, Exhibition Place