Toronto to build waterfront ice arena

CANADA - Toronto has decided to build an $88 million hockey and skating arena on Toronto's waterfront, near Commissioners St. and Don Roadway. $34 million has already been earmarked for the project. The city is comtemplating a bond (essentially a mortgage) to help pay for the rest of the arena plus additional funding from the Ontario government.

An user surcharge will help pay off the bond over a period of 30 years. The arena complex will include FOUR NHL-size ice rinks stacked above each other, spectator seating, restaurants, meeting rooms, an indoor track for running. The indoor arena will be ideal for tournaments and allow Torontonians to hone their ice skating skills even in the off season. The facility will act as a regional sports complex.

The building is designed to be environmentally sustainable (which is important since its build near the waterfront and can't be leaking waste into the lake) and may include an Olympic-sized rink for speed skaters and figure skaters (which would be great for if Toronto ever gets another shot at hosting the Olympics).

There is some concerns about migratory birds flying into the all-glass structure so there are also plans to make it more bird-friendly.