Redevelopment plans for Weston Lions arena leave 80-year-old hockey league in limbo

Members of Toronto's historic Weston Minor Hockey League are reeling after finding out this month that the rink they've called home for decades is being eyed for redevelopment — and now they're worried kids in the area may soon have to find somewhere else to skate.

It's a bittersweet, complicated scenario for parents, kids and organizers of the league that plays at the Weston Lions Arena near Lawrence Avenue W. and Scarlett Road. Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment (MLSE) is reportedly in talks to lease the location from the city as part of its Launchpad program, which provides a place for kids to play sports alongside other programming and mentorship for youth.

Community stakeholders interviewed by CBC News this week were steadfast in their support of that initiative, and say it will undoubtedly be good for the area should it come to pass.

They take issue, however, with a lack of communication about those plans from the city, leaving people scrambling to figure out exactly what is happening at the site and what it could mean for the league next season.

"We deserve to be consulted, and there was no community consultation whatsoever," said Lesley Bannard, president of the league.

"The dream has always been for my kid to skate on this ice, and that might not happen — and that's awful, it's gut-wrenching. We would just appreciate the opportunity to say goodbye and finish this off right."

Bannard told CBC News that she found out about redevelopment plans for the arena in an email newsletter from York South-Weston Coun. Frances Nunziata sent on June 5. 

Mixed signals from stakeholders

In the newsletter, Nunziata said that "through my efforts," MLSE and the city "will be moving forward with a leasing agreement" for the arena. 

"MSLE Launchpad and Weston Lions Management collaborated throughout the process, and it is truly a monumental and transformational opportunity for MLSE Launchpad, Weston Lions and for our community," she wrote.

"I cannot say enough about how important this will be for the future generations of Weston and the City of Toronto."

In an email statement sent to CBC News, Nunziata said she fully appreciates the level of community interest in the project — but she was also less firm about where the process stands, saying the city is "now in discussions with MLSE Launchpad on a new lease."

She also said her office continues to "work closely" with arena management as discussions progress, and is committed to finding ice space for the league for the 2025 season — though that can be notoriously hard to find in Toronto, with demand usually far outpacing supply.

In a statement, MLSE said the organization is in the early stages of expanding the Launchpad program to a new location and is "exploring potential site options," though no formal agreement has been signed as the site selection process is still ongoing.

"A key part of this process is working diligently with the City of Toronto, local councilors and the community through public consultations to ensure any existing programming, if applicable, will have a suitable alternative location and that the selected space creates opportunity for thousands of local youth to access sport," the statement reads.

A city spokesperson, meanwhile, said in an email that an engagement process between stakeholders and local residents is currently underway, with a "feasibility review" to be brought forward to city council for discussion later this year. 

Uncertainty remains

All of this uncertainty has left league officials questioning exactly when they might have to leave the rink, and if any new project at the location would include an ice surface. 

On top of being a home for hockey, the arena also provides vital funding to the Weston Area Emergency Support Food Bank.

Diana Stapleton, the food bank's chair, said proceeds from fries sold at the rink last year amounted to $25,000, which paid for their program's eggs for the entire year. 

"It's a significant investment in the community," she said. "Losing something like that would mean there's some food we won't be able to supply our community with."

Brandy Williams, whose son Hunter plays in the Weston league, told CBC News that parents shouldn't be finding out about the project through a councillor's newsletter.

"It was devastating to get the news that way, and to feel like we didn't matter as much as the corporate side of it," she said.

And while she would love if any redeveloped facility still included an ice surface, Williams said if nothing else, she hopes the city and MLSE would give the league one more season to end off its run in the building the right way, should this project come to pass.

"It's not that much to ask," she said.