Youth across the city have more than a few reasons to be happy about the NHL all-star weekend taking place in Toronto this week. Aside from the festivities bringing the game’s biggest names to the city, these events will leave a number of local rinks in a much better shape than before.
Thanks to a $500,000 investment from the Maple Leafs, Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment and the NHL itself, ball and ice hockey rinks at Alexandra Park near Bathurst and Dundas streets, the West Mall Rink in the west end and Port Union Community Recreational Centre in the east will undergo a revitalization process aimed at making hockey more accessible to the young people.
That’s great news to 15-year-old Ron Sanchez, who started skating a few years ago and spends several hours every week at Alexandra Park.
“I’m super excited. I think this is going to bring more kids out and we can socialize more while we play,” he said outside the rink.
“This rink is usually pretty empty, and I think when it’s more renovated it will attract more people, which is great.”
The renovations to these community rinks are part of the NHL’s Legacy Project, where an estimated 23,000 youth will benefit from the upgrades at these public spaces, with increased access to hockey programming and equipment.
The joint investment is aimed at helping reduce barriers to play hockey, a game that is often associated with hefty costs.
At the launch event Wednesday evening, former Maple Leafs star Wendel Clark was on hand and spent a few minutes skating with youth from the nearby Scadding Court community centre and surrounding communities who attended. Leafs alumnus and team director of culture and inclusion Mark Fraser also joined the skating party.
“We all know that hockey fans all over the world are the most passionate. They come to the game seeking community. We also know that in order for us to unlock the future of the sport, it’s going to require us to engage new audiences and create the most welcoming environment,” said Kim Davis, the NHL’s senior executive vice-president of social impact and growth initiatives.
“What better place to do that than in the hotbed of diversity that is Toronto?”
Over all-star weekend, the league expects more than 25,000 people to take part in various skating activities across the city, she said. These types of investments are meant to ensure the sport of hockey “thrives” in the rapidly-changing makeup of the communities. The NHL and its clubs have donated in excess of $7 million over the past 20 years to Legacy projects across North America, said Davis.
“This is a youth space (with) brand new furniture, all the computer upgrades, this ensures that everyone in this community understands that hockey is for them,” she added about turning these community centres into meeting hubs for local youth. “The future of our sport depends on them.”
Coun. Ausma Malik, who represents the Spadina—Fort York ward where Alexandra Park is located, said recreational programs and services should be available to every resident of the city.
“In a city like ours we should have everything that we need to thrive, and the continued investment and support by valuable long-term partners such as MLSE and NHL fortify the city of Toronto’s commitment to ensure that we can provide all residents with enhanced programming and amenities in every single neighbourhood of our city that we call home,” she said.
“I have no doubt that we will have many more Mark Frasers to celebrate from these programs in the years to come.”