Description and History:
Maple Leafs Gardens, also known as MLG, has definitely changed from what it used to be in the past.
From the outside, on the Corner of Carleton and Church Street in Toronto, it still looks the same as from
the time it was built, but has changed drastically on the inside. The space, remembered today as an
iconic hockey arena, is now being used for groceries, shopping, and dining. Loblaws is the main
attraction but there is also an ice rink which belongs to Ryerson University. The dynamics and structure
of this new Maple Leafs Gardens has been altered greatly but still manages to preserve a little piece of
history.
Maple Leafs Gardens first opened its doors on November 12th 1931 (mattamyathleticcenter.ca). The
project began when the managing director of the Leafs, Conn Smythe, began to realize the growing
popularity of professional hockey, but understood that there were physical limitations in regards to the
space on the ice, as well as many other costly issues, and was concerned with the amount of money it
would cost to accommodate enough space for all the fans (historiccanada.ca). Smythe was unable to
fund the project on his own and had to take out bank loans and sell stocks. The land was eventually
purchased from Eaton’s and the first bricks were laid on May 1st 1931 (historiccanada.ca).
This larger building would provide enough space for the growing fans of Toronto. Built in only seven
months, it was the largest arena in the country at the time (mattamyathleticcenter.ca). Located at the
corner of Carleton and Church Street, The Gardens allowed Canada with a space to participate in the
ground-breaking popular culture that was shaping the Century (mattamyathleticcenter.ca). It was one of
Canada's national treasures (historiccanada.ca). For almost 68 years, the Gardens was the home of one
of the "Original Six" hockey teams, the Toronto Maple Leafs (historiccanada.ca).
The Gardens opened in 1931 with the Toronto Maple Leafs facing off against the Chicago Blackhawks.
The best seats in the house were being sold for $2.75 (historiccanada.ca). Although they lost that first
game, the Leafs had years of magic happen for them within that arena. They managed to win the
Stanley Cup during their first year at the Gardens (mattamyathleticcenter.ca), and eventually won 10
more during the time period of 1941 and 1967 (historiccanada.ca). The last game the Leafs ever played
at the Gardens was coincidentally against the Chicago Blackhawks on February 13 1999. They lost yet
again, but a record-breaking amount of fans attended the game that year (historiccanada.ca).
Other sports teams took advantage of this new space as well and established themselves within it. There
were wrestling matches and boxing tournaments that were held there. The Gardens made history in
February 1936 for holding the largest crowd in boxing history during the tournament
(historiccanada.ca). That was a first for the Gardens along with many more, like hosting the first game of
the NBA in 1946, as well as hosting the first official NHL All-Star game which is a tradition still honoured
today (mattamyathleticcenter.ca).
Other than sports, Music was a huge part of the history of the Gardens. Looking back now, this venue
was host to many historical legends like Muhammad Ali, Winston Churchill and Elvis Presley
(mattamyathlecticcenter.ca). Elvis Presley played his first ever show outside of the United States at the
Gardens in 1957 (mattamyathleticcenter.ca).The Gardens continued to make history being the only
venue to accommodate the Beatles on all three of their North American tours in the 1960s. They also
hosted concerts by Bob Hope and Frank Sinatra (mattamyathleticcenter.ca). In 2007, the Gardens was
recognized as a National Historic Site of Canada (mattamyathleticcenter.ca).
In November 2011, the doors would open once again in over a decade. However, this time it was
opening as a supermarket, clothing store, LCBO outlet, and an athletic center (Lavelle, 2011). Loblaws
bought the arena in 2004. In 2009 it was announced that the building would become the athletic home
of Ryerson University (Perkins, 2012). The space created during the renovation would open up many
facilities. Along with the NHL-sized ice rink, basketball and volleyball courts were also included, as well
as about 1200 bleacher seats, a four-lane 200 meter running track, and a fitness center and gym (Brown,
2009). The Gardens is now known as Mattamy Athletic Center and is no longer to be called Maple Leafs
Gardens (Perkins, 2012). The only place that still holds that historic name is the sign on the front of the
building on Carlton St. It will not be changed because the place is on the national register of historic
landmarks (Perkins, 2012).
The history of the Maple Leafs Gardens is a huge part of history within Toronto. It created a space for
people to be able to experience music, moments, and togetherness. The hockey rink, that was home to
the leafs, provided enough space to accommodate the ever growing fans. Concerts were intimate and
allowed for legendary experiences that have been recorded in history.
Site Analysis
When I visited the Maple Leafs Gardens for the first time, I had already done research on what it used to
look like prior to 1999. The changes that have been made are extremely drastic in my opinion. It doesn’t
look a thing like I thought it would. There is still, however, a full-sized ice rink that accommodates over
2600 fans but with many other facilities added to the building than before. There is a Loblaws, Liquor
Store, clothing store on one side. The other side is now the ticket office for Mattamy Athletic Centre
which has, on the 2nd floor, volleyball/basketball courts, an advanced gym, and a cafe. The Third floor is
the ice rink and dressing rooms for hockey. The Fourth floor is the Alumni lounge, seating for the arena,
and two concessions stands. There is a lot of free space to wander around upstairs. For the purpose of
this assignment, I will focus majority of my analysis on the Grocery store since it happens to be the main
attraction now.
The Loblaws at the Maple Leafs Gardens is the biggest grocery store I have ever seen and probably will
ever see in my lifetime. There is an extensive amount of space between everything allowing for more
people to be able to fit. The aisles are spacious and the shelves seem higher than normal. The
interesting thing about this Loblaws, other than how big it is, is its location. The fact that it is where so
many historical events have taken place explains a lot of the differences between this Loblaws and so
many others.
The walls within the building are filled with old photos of legends that have stepped foot on these
grounds in the past, and the events that have established this building as a historical landmark. There is
a Maple Leaf wall sculpture made of old chairs from the arena as well. Even though I was standing in a
grocery store, I felt like I just stepped into a museum of hockey and music legends, except the people
were much louder. The paintings looked like they were touching the ceiling. The roof itself provided so
much light and made the whole store seem more open somehow. The most interesting thing I saw there
was a red dot on the ground in aisle 25. When I asked what it was for, I found out it was to mark the
center ice from when the Maple Leafs would play here. That is a huge piece of history that they didn’t
destroy and seems to be something of great attraction there.
This Loblaws didn’t sound like a grocery store to me. Normal sounds of grocery stores consists usually of
yelling parents, soft music from the ceilings, scanners beeping as people are cashing out, and shopping
carts hitting against things. If I were to close my eyes in the middle of this store, it would sound like a
café/restaurant. The atmosphere wasn’t chaotic like how I experience a grocery store, but it was full of
life. There are free samples of food being offered almost at every turn.
In my experience, the biggest difference between this grocery store and others, apart from spatial, was
the live music. After asking around, I discovered that this Loblaws always has live music and
entertainment for the shoppers. It was a completely different experience that I’ve never had before.
Even though I wasn’t grocery shopping, just being in a space that’s not a bar or a concert hall, but still
being able to listen to live music was amazing. It seemed to be a big part of other people’s experiences
as well. These bands were not overlooked like musicians in a subway; they were respected as if they
were performing in a concert hall like the ACC. Many people would stop and listen, and it was obvious
that it added positively to their experience at the grocery store. The live music was by far the sound
mark of this Loblaws because it is the only one that plays live music as opposed to music from a distant
speaker in the ceiling.
It was interesting to see how many different types of people enjoyed this live band. This relates directly
to Sara Cohen’s ethnography and how she describes culture as "musical pathways," which shows how
dynamic the individuals within a culture can be. It becomes something that people can use to relate to
one another and especially within this grocery store a different experience for many.
Interviews:
A 66 year old man who was shopping alone:
1. How would you describe your experience at the Maple Leafs Gardens, prior to the renovation?
I Grew up watching games here. The atmosphere was unreal. Everything from the smokey hall
ways to the deafening crowds. Anyone who ever watched a game here will tell you the same
thing. Now? It’s a shame to see what it has become.
2. And what exactly has it become?
It’s a shame that this Canadian historical site has been converted into a Grocery store, and polytechnical School. A huge waste of space for some produce. The obnoxious Orange floors are a
headache to stare at, while trying to find what you’re looking for in the gigantic store. They have
about 50 stores within the Grocer, including Small Cafes, Dry Cleaner's, Florist, Liquor (LCBO),
Banking and a bunch of other crap. It should have just been a mall instead of wasting the
landmark site!
3. How do you feel about the musical experience here, considering many find it unique that a
grocery store provides live music?
When you’ve seen this space used for legendary artists like I have, you wouldn’t be asking that
question. It’s a joke now.
A 28 year old woman who was sitting at the cafe:
1. How would describe your experience at this Loblaws in comparison to other grocery stores?
More relaxing… and probably less rushed. I enjoy my experience there so I’m not in a rush to get
out like usual. It’s a lot bigger so it takes up more time to get everything I came in for, but for me
it’s worth it
2. Why is it that you choose to come here to do your grocery shopping as opposed to any other
grocery store?
Excellent food....with live music....where else can you do food shopping like this? It's fun to sit at
the tables that have pictures of past events while having a muffin and cup of coffee. I enjoy not
bumping into people continuously because of how much room there is to navigate throughout
the store. I definitely won’t be able to go back to another small, crowded, loud, grocery store
ever again because of this one.
3. Do you know anything historical about this place and what it was used for before becoming a
Loblaws?
Well just walking in here I can tell that hockey was a huge part of this building. It was pretty
much like the ACC I guess cause they had sporting events and concerts. I never experienced the
old version of the building but in my opinion I think they did a good job at preserving what used
to be here.
A 39 year old Man who was dining with his wife:
1. Why have you chosen the Maple Leafs Gardens to enjoy a meal today?
We come here often. It’s not far from where we live. We heard it was really good food and
wanted to see for ourselves. And I used to come here when I was a kid so when I heard that they
were reopening the building, I was excited to see what they did to it.
2. How would you compare your experience at the old Maple Leafs Gardens to this new version?
To be honest, you can’t really compare the two because they’re completely different. I used to
practice and play here when I was a kid. The smoothest milky ice ever. First row of the Greens
were all we could afford but still perfect. I remember being here when I was about 7 and black
Sabbath was so loud I couldn't hear properly for 3 days. It was definitely a fantastic experience,
but incomparable to a grocery store that’s for sure.
3. Many people who have experienced the original Maple Leafs Gardens like yourself, find it
difficult to enjoy what it has become today. What are your thoughts on that?
It was odd to see the newly remodelled MLG. My memories of concerts, hockey games and Ice
Follies have now moved away to make room for this new complex. If you can't take change and
you want to keep your memories in tack, don't visit. You lose a bit of your childhood when you
see the changes. BUT at the same time, this place was sitting here for years and it’s about time
they made good use of the space.