Toronto is considering converting hockey arenas into indoor skateparks
If you're a hockey player in Toronto, you may find yourself with less indoor rink time — due to less indoor rink space — in the city within the next few years.
In the new Parks & Recreation Facilities Master Plan for 2019-2038, the city outlines a number of changes that it intends to make to community recreation centres, ice facilities, outdoor aquatics facilities, sports fields and other sports courts and zones.
Wondering when your neighbourhood can expect to get a new community centre, sports field, pool, splash pad, or whatever? Draft Parks & Rec Facilities Master plan for 2019-2038 is available.
— Matt Elliott (@GraphicMatt) October 16, 2019
Here’s the sched for new/replacement community centres. https://t.co/lOlvUcN6Sy (PDF) pic.twitter.com/obt32Emm5c
The plan includes 17 new community recreation centres slated for neighbourhoods like Don Mills, Central Etobicoke and Portlands, as well as the renovation of 11 centres, including John Innes, Lawrence Heights and Scarborough Centennial.
It also states that though the city is due to receive one more indoor ice pad in the next 20 years, up to three existing ice arenas across Toronto may be adapted "to other uses, such as indoor skateparks." This change would still meet the target of one ice pad per 50,000 Toronto residents.
Demand for ice sports is “evolving” so much that City is considering converting some arenas into other uses, like indoor skate parks. Sorry hockey fans. pic.twitter.com/IlpKfLE3Dd
— Matt Elliott (@GraphicMatt) October 16, 2019
The affected facilities are Don Mills Citivan Arena, and one yet-to-be-determined site in Toronto/East York and North York, respectively.
Fortunately for those looking for somewhere to strap on their skates, the plan also proposes up to five new artificial outdoor rinks and two additional skating trails by the end of 2038, though these will only be open as weather permits during the winter months.
The most Canadian thing I’ve experienced since moving to Toronto is the fact that I live across the street from a 24 hour indoor ice hockey rink and PEOPLE! ACTUALLY! PRACTICE! AT! 11:00! AT NIGHT!!
— not your average _____ (@sophiegermo) September 14, 2019
Other athletes will be happy to hear that 10 per cent of the city's soccer and multi-use fields, baseball diamonds and cricket pitches will be "upgraded", and a total of 45 new fields will be constructed during the tenure of the plan.
Also, five new cricket pitches, up to 20 new tennis courts, and 30 new basketball courts in the next 20 years.
And, Torontonians may see the development of up to 18 "high-quality" indoor pools (most as part of new community recreation centres) and the replacement of seven others, as well as the 20 additional waterplay facilities and the modernization of a number of the city's outdoor pools.
The details of plan in full are available on the City of Toronto website.
City of Toronto's Centennial Park Arena
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