News & Events

THE  MATTAMY ATHLETIC CENTRE AT THE GARDENS CELEBRATES FIRST ANNIVERSARY

TORONTO, August 13, 2013 --- Ryerson's Mattamy Athletic Centre at The Gardens had a momentous first year, including being named one of the 10 most historic North American stadiums by ESPN. Since turning on the lights on August 13, 2012, the MAC has seen thousands of students, athletes, and visitors take advantage of this beautifully transformed facility through a wide variety of community, athletic and cultural events.

Built in 1931, the Gardens was home to some of the most celebrated cultural moments of the Canadian century: Elvis Presley, Muhammad Ali, Winston Churchill, The Beatles, over a dozen Stanley Cup finals and the first NHL All Star game.

The iconic arena was revitalized into a new, multi-functional athletic and recreational centre located on the upper floors of the building. The project reclaimed 220,000 square feet (approximately 20,000 square metres) of space, more than doubling the amount of athletic and recreational facilities on Ryerson’s campus. The new facility is primarily for Ryerson students but is also accessible to the community.

A home for Ryerson:

• Ryerson's men's and women's hockey, volleyball and basketball teams, as well as the figure skating team, are based at the MAC
• The amount of students participating in intramurals has increased 65% since the MAC opened
• The men’s hockey team scored their first goal on Mattamy Home Ice September 8, 2012 in a 5-4 win over the UOIT Ridgebacks in front of over 1,500 fans.
• UOIT's Kevin George scored the first goal in the building since the departure of the Toronto in 1999
• Samantha Pui of the Rams women's hockey team scored their first goal on Mattamy Home Ice on September 9, 2012 at 11:06 of the second period.
• Ryerson's women's volleyball played their first game on Coca-Cola court on September 6, 2012, the men's team played their first game on September 9^th.
  
• In total, both volleyball teams have scored 1,292 points on their new home court.
• The Ryerson's men's basketball team has scored 1,325 points on Coca-Cola court, the first basket was made by Jahmal Jones on August 16, 2012.
• The Ryerson women's basketball team has scored 1,119 points on Coca-Cola court, the first game was on September 9, 2012. The first basket was scored by Ryerson’s Angela Tilk.
• MAC is a showcase for the Ryerson's School of Fashion Mass Exodus fashion show

Special Guests:

• Prime Minister Stephen Harper officially opened the Mattamy Athletic Centre with a 'Lights On' ceremony on August 13, 2012.
• Naming donor Peter Gilgan, founder and CEO of Mattamy Homes
• Former Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty and current Premier Kathleen Wynne
• NHLers Mark Messier, Steve Stamkos, Wendel Clark, Darcy Tucker, Red Kelly, Bob Baun, Johnny Bower, Frank Mahovlich
  
• Musician Drake
• Two-time Olympic medalist Brian Orser
• MMVA fighter Jon 'Bones' Jones
  

Special Events and Programs:

• UFC Weigh In
• NHLPA charity hockey game
• Monthly community skates and open houses
• Pride Week 2013
• Grand Slam of Curling
• World Ball Hockey Championships and Canada Cup floor ball tournament
  
• Ring of Honor Wrestling
• Liberal party leadership convention
• 2013 Jack Donohue International Classic – Men's Basketball Canada vs. Jamaica
• Two adult hockey leagues and a semi-pro lacrosse league
• Kids' hockey camps, skating camps and skills development camps – including a skating treadmill

Features

• Full-sized ice rink, "Mattamy Home Ice" with seating for 2,620
• Highest elevated skating rink in Toronto at more than 50 feet above street level
• End rows of original “blues” seats from Maple Leaf Gardens
• Restored 1930s-style exterior Marquee
• Multi-purpose court for basketball and volleyball with seating for 1,000+
• Fitness centre, studios and high-performance gym
• Total space: 222,970 square feet (20,714 square metres)
  

The Ryerson Mattamy Athletic Centre at the Gardens was made possible thanks to a contribution of up to $20 million from the Government of Canada through Canada's Infrastructure Stimulus Fund, $20 million from Ryerson University through student fees, $15 million from Peter Gilgan, the founder and CEO of Mattamy Homes, and $20 million to be raised by Ryerson and Loblaw Companies Limited through a joint fundraising campaign including a $5 million contribution from Loblaw.

Note to photo editors: A gallery of construction and event photos of the Ryerson Mattamy Athletic Centre at the Gardens is available here.

- 30 -

MEDIA CONTACT:
Suelan Toye
Public Affairs, Ryerson University
Office: 416-979-5000, ext. 7161
stoye@ryerson.ca

Follow us: @RyersonU

If you require this in another format, please contact Ryerson University Public Affairs at 416-979-5000 x 7134.