Maple Leaf Gardens
Toronto Maple Leafs (NHL, 1931-1999 ) Toronto Huskies ( BAA, 1946-1947 ) Toronto Marlboros ( OHL, 1931-1989 ) Toronto Toros ( WHA, 1974-1976 ) Toronto Blizzard ( NASL, 1980-1982 ) Toronto Shooting Stars ( NPSL, 1996-1997) Toronto rock ( NLL, 1999-2000)
The Maple Leaf Gardens is a sports arena in Toronto, Ontario and was until 1999 home to the Toronto Maple Leafs.
History
Starting position
1927 had a group of Conn Smythe prevented the sale of the Toronto St. Patricks to Philadelphia and renamed the Toronto Maple Leafs. The team was strengthened and encouragement in the city was great. The former stadium, the Mutual Street Arena, was not for the surge and for Smythe urged the decision to build a proper stadium or hanging out with the team to another city. He had taken the original two locations for a stadium in the eye. For one, this was the beginning of the Yonge Street right on Lake Ontario, on the other hand at Knox College at Spadina. At the former place, the owners wanted too high a price to zweiterem the neighborhood was not thrilled with the idea that a sports arena disrupts their neighborhood. In the fall of 1930, his attention fell on a favorable construction site on the corner of Church and Carlton Street. There crossed two tram lines. Owner was the T. Eaton Co. Limited, which is not far away with the Eaton Centre entertained a large shopping center. At first it was used in Eaton against the project, but Smythe was able to inspire those in charge of the idea that you would create the most attractive and best-planned sports hall is a landmark in Toronto. Finally sold the estate for $ 350,000 at Smythe.
The construction
The prominent architects Ross and Macdonald in Montreal were obliged who had built in Toronto, among others, the Royal York Hotel and Union Station. Based on the Madison Square Garden Smythe decided that the new stadium Maple Leaf Gardens to be called. After the first drawings were created instructed his assistant Frank J. Selke Smythe to have it printed a prospectus for the public. This should cost 10 cents and help to find additional investors. As the well-known radio reporter Foster Hewitt thereof reported in his mission, came almost 100,000 requests which were attached to 10 cents.
On February 24, 1931, the Maple Leaf Gardens Ltd. was. founded. The Board was occupied with influential bankers and industrialists. A mortgage over $ 500,000 approved by Sun Life Assurance. 100,000 preference shares at $ 10 each and 50,000 shares at $ 3 were offered. From 1 April 1931, started with the demolition of the buildings standing on the ground, but there were problems with the financing. Smythe and Selke managed short enough to attract investors for the project.
Around the 1st of June, started the actual construction. There were 1,300 workers involved, the 760 tons of steel, 750,000 bricks, 77,500 bags of cement, 1,100 tons of gravel, 70 tons of sand, 320,000 feet lumber and countless nails processed. Due to falling prices by the dominant economic circles could save almost 30 % of the planned construction costs. Great enthusiasm for the project and iron discipline made it possible to complete the Garden in five and a half months.
Opening
On November 12, 1931 13,542 spectators ( 1,500 seats remained empty) there when the Toronto Maple Leafs defeated in the first game against the Chicago Blackhawks 1-2. The Leafs brought in this season to their first Stanley Cup.
Events
The Gardens were built especially for the Toronto Maple Leafs Hockey and was the great driving force of the new sports arena. But of course it was also in the economic success of the hall interested and tried for a variety of events. They tried other teams to win and could both sporting events and music events for the Gardens pick. But also for large events in politics and religion of the Garden was a sought-after venue.
Hockey
Boxing / Wrestling
Exactly one week after the first ice hockey game saw 15,800 spectators the first wrestling event with Jim Londos in the main fight. In September 1932 the first time a fight for a world title in boxing was held in the Gardens. For highlights in boxing attended in 1966 in the Maple Leaf Gardens Muhammad Ali and George Chuvalo and Clyde Gray and Jose Napoles 1973.
Basketball
In 1946 they tried to get with the Toronto Huskies and first class basketball to Toronto. On November 1, were for the first game, the New York Knicks as a guest. After the end of the season, the Intermezzo the Huskies ended up in Toronto.
Other sporting events
- May 3, 1932: First Lacrosse League
- May 4, 1932: Badminton Tournament
- 6 to 7 February 1934 North American Championships in speed skating
Concerts
Also music events took place in the stadium instead. So played on April 2, 1957 Elvis Presley. In the 60 years 1964-1966 three times the Beatles were guests. The Gardens were thus the only hall that they attended on all three tours.
Political events
Any political party that something held to be organized large campaigning their top candidates in the Gardens.
- March 3, 1932: Speech by Winston Churchill
Religious Events
All denominations used the Maple Leaf Gardens for large events.
- May 5, 1932: Jehovah's Witnesses
Moving the Maple Leafs
End of the 90s, as in most cities were new stadiums, they also decided in Toronto to build a new hall, the Air Canada Centre. With the relocation of the Maple Leafs, it was also slow with the Maple Leaf Gardens downhill. Since 2004, the stadium is owned by Loblaw Companies. In 2007, Maple Leaf Gardens was declared a National Historic Site. The end of 2009, a financial plan have been submitted for a modification of Loblaws, Ryerson University and the Canadian government, after which the building in the future both a supermarket, as well as a sports center for the university and the public, including a hockey game field houses.