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Ryerson University Mattamy Athletic Centre at the Gardens
By bringing an ice rink back to upper floor of this iconic landmark, this project maintained the integrity of the historic building and honours its hockey heritage. Of the “original six” hockey arenas, this is the only facility to retain a skating rink. Four of the rinks have been demolished (Boston, Chicago, Detroit and New York), while the Montreal Forum was converted into shops, restaurants and a movie theatre.
The revitalized, multi-functional, athletic and recreational centre spans nearly 150,000 square feet (approximately 13,900 square metres) and supplements Ryerson’s existing 20-year-old sports facility. Highlights of the new athletic centre include a full-size skating rink; a 4-lane, 200-metre running track; basketball and volleyball courts with telescoping bleachers with more than 1,200 seats; studios; a fitness centre; a high performance gym; academic space; support facilities; food concessions; and recreational spaces. This benefits both Ryerson's students and the local community by ensuring access to resources to help them get fit, stay healthy and lead more active lifestyles. The Centre is also the new home of the Ryerson Rams.
The remaining redevelopment of the former Gardens arena includes a 70,000-square-foot (6,500 square metres) Loblaws at street level, with one level of underground parking to support that store, a standalone Joe Fresh Style studio store, and other associated retail outlets built by Loblaw Companies Limited.
The Government of Canada’s contribution to this project comes from Infrastructure Canada’s Infrastructure Stimulus Fund (ISF), which was established as part of Canada’s Economic Action Plan (EAP). The ISF provided funding to provincial, territorial, and municipal governments and to non-profit organizations for infrastructure projects across Canada to create jobs and stimulate economic activity. The ISF came to a close on October 31, 2011.
Ryerson University contributed $20 million to this project, which was raised through student levies. Mattamy Homes contributed $15 million and Loblaw Companies Limited contributed $5 million. The total eligible cost of this project was $60 million.
Thanks to Canada’s Economic Action Plan and Canada’s strong economic and financial fundamentals, the Canadian economy has recovered from the global recession better than most other industrialized countries. Among G-7 countries, Canada has posted the strongest growth in employment by far during the recovery with nearly 750,000 net new jobs created since July 2009.
