Feds pitching in $20M for Maple Leaf Gardens
The federal government will pitch in the final $20 million needed for Ryerson to make the historic Maple Leaf Gardens the site of a new athletics facility.
“This is a watershed moment for the university and our students,” said Linda Grayson, vice-president administration and finance.
The project, which will partner the school with Loblaw Companies Limited, will be announced on Tuesday morning at 60 Carlton St, the site of the iconic building.
At a Ryerson Board of Governors meeting tonight, President Sheldon Levy briefly mentioned a Toronto Sun article that broke the funding announcement minutes earlier.
"I was surprised, to be honest, a bit disappointed,” he said. “They sure didn't find out from me."
Bob Rae, MP Toronto-Centre, has been talking to federal government on Ryerson's behalf since they applied for funding. He said the last week has been "putting all the pieces together."
The federal funding is the final portion of money needed to pay off the Gardens’ $60 million price tag after a student referendum and fundraising campaign between Ryerson and Loblaw.
In late September, the Eyeopener spoke to Toronto mayor David Miller, who confirmed that the city would be unable to contribute towards Maple Leaf Gardens funding. Two months later, Levy went on record stating that federal funding was Ryerson’s only chance at procuring the Gardens.
Following Ryerson’s application for federal funding, Ryerson executives met to discuss a course of action in case they heard from the federal government.
In late October, Alan Shepard, provost and vice-president academic, said that Maple Leaf Gardens could house academic programs in addition to athletics facilities. According to Shepard, nothing has been confirmed yet.
Finance Minister Jim Flaherty and Transport and Infrastructure Minister John Baird are expected to attend tomorrow’s press conference as well as Galen Weston, executive chairman of Loblaw Companies Ltd.
Comments
Anonymous, 8 months ago said:
Excellent job to all who worked on the project and the students that voted yes! This is a huge plus for Ryerson.
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