BBB Architects converting former Maple Leaf Gardens site

BBB Architects & subsidiary Stadium Consultants International are converting part of Toronto’s historic Maple Leaf Gardens into a modern sports and recreation centre for Ryerson University.

Projects

BBB Architects (BBB) & subsidiary Stadium Consultants International (SCI) are converting part of Toronto’s historic Maple Leaf Gardens into a modern sports and recreation centre for Ryerson University.

To be located on the upper floors of the facility, the centre will occupy a space of nearly 150,000 square feet. Plans include a hockey rink, basketball and volleyball courts and other recreational and academic spaces.

“This is a unique opportunity to create an exciting multi-use sports and recreation facility for the university and, at the same time, celebrate the heritage of one of the most iconic arenas in the world,” said Chris O’Reilly, a partner at BBB Architects and partner-in-charge of the Ryerson project.

Scheduled for completion by March 31, 2011, the $60 million project is being funded in part by a $20 million contribution from the federal infrastructure stimulus fund.

“Our goal is to preserve the look and feel of historic Maple Leaf Gardens to the extent possible, while providing a modernized facility for Ryerson students,” said Greg Alexander, design partner at BBB Architects.

The project is in the schematic design phase. Alexander said that while the existing exterior walls and roof are being left in place, the interior space essentially is being gutted and totally rebuilt.

“There is a brand new facility being built inside those walls.”

The remaining part of the Gardens is being redeveloped by Loblaw Companies Ltd. Plans call for a 70,000-square-foot grocery store at street level as well as underground parking.

The team on that project includes Turner Fleischer Architects and construction manager Buttcon Ltd.

“This all has to be carefully co-ordinated,” Alexander said.

Both Ryerson and Loblaw will own their portion of the completed building.

BBB Architects, with offices in Toronto and Ottawa, specializes in sports and entertainment centres as well as university and science complexes.

SCI is a multi-disciplinary firm specializing in the financial and physical planning, development and implementation of sports and recreation facilities.