The maple leaf logo on Maple Leaf Gardens was removed Wednesday, marking the end of an 80-year era in hockey history. The former hockey arena is being converted by Loblaw Companies, its new owner, into a supermarket, liquor outlet, medical clinic, and athletic centre.
In a press release issued last week, Loblaw announced that the renovated building would be unveiled on November 30 as “Toronto’s new crown jewel of food stores.” Planned attractions include an Amazing Wall of Cheese, 14 in-house chefs, and hand-chiselled chocolate confectionaries.
The Maple Leaf Gardens first opened in 1931 and hosted the last Leafs’ game in 1999. The Gardens have also played host to other events, among them, one of Elvis Presley’s few live concerts outside the United States, and game two of the Summit Series, a 1972 competition between Canadian and Russian ice hockey teams.
With files from The Toronto Star, The Toronto Sun, and National Post.
