Toronto City Council will amend the current leasing agreement of Exhibition Place with Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment.
Coun. Mike Layton moved the motion to make the agreement for MLSE to use both courts at Exhibition Place, but they have to provide Youth Centre for Sports Development on Jarvis Street.
“We need some kind of commitment on paper that we are going to get something at the end of the day,” he said.
Layton argued the public will have less access to Exhibition Place since MLSE wants to change the initial agreement. MLSE is now proposing to allow 10–25 per cent usage of the courts instead of 50 per cent.
Coun. Michael Thompson supported the motion, but argued that instead of reprimanding MLSE council needs to take responsibility for neglecting their job.
“It isn’t that the City was going to make investments. We have failed to do that,” he said.
Coun. Thompson applauded MLSE and said it has provided employment and entertainment for many people in the city.
Coun. Norm Kelly agreed with Coun. Thompson.
“They will become a facility that will be taxed…It’s going to generate a considerable amount of money,” he said.
Coun. Doucette argued that even though MLSE is providing a facility on Jarvis, children from Ward 13 can’t access it.
“That to me is a nail on the head. We’re not going to have our children in the west end use the facility.”
All councillors voted in favour to amend the lease agreement with MLSE.