Private Enterprise Does it Again

An arena used to promote our national sport (hockey not lacrosse) isn't being built by the city and you have to wonder why......possibly because it is not a project backed the waterfront condo owners and island squatters.

First new arena in 25 years

November 7, 2006 - 7:50pm

Mark Carcasole (CFRB News) - The Leafs, Marlies, and Hockey Canada will all have a new place to practice and young hockey players around the city, a new place to play. The Lakeshore Lions Club is funding a new 29-million dollar sports facility just north of the old Lakeshore arena, the city's first new arena in 25 years.

As part of the deal The Toronto District School Board will also get 500 free hours of ice time a year for the next 50 years, and control of the old the old Lakeshore Lions arena, though they probably won't use it as a hockey rink.

That arena is well-known by hockey enthusiasts in the city for having some of the best ice around, and Leafs coach Paul Maurice says he thinks the new digs will be just as good.

Brian Hoskins of the Lions Club says the facility will hold "four ice pads...there will be one Olympic-sized (rink) that is also convertable back down if we need it to come back down." It will also have a restaurant, pro shop, and meeting rooms.

Groundbreaking is set for next spring, and the new facility should open a year later.