RYERSON UNIVERSITY AND LOBLAW COMPANIES LIMITED DONATE HISTORIC MAPLE LEAF
GARDENS CENTRE ICE SLAB TO HOCKEY HALL OF FAME

Recovered during recent renovations, Harold Ballard's handprints and footprints to be preserved at the Hockey Hall of Fame

TORONTO, Oct 5 /CNW/ - In 1983 concrete was poured for a new ice pad at Maple Leaf Gardens. Before the concrete set, Toronto Maple Leafs owner Harold Ballard added his handprints and footprints and an inscription.  According to Maple Leaf Gardens' lore he was assisted by Leaf legend Francis Michael "King" Clancy.

Today, Ryerson University and Loblaw Companies Limited (Loblaw) donated the slab of concrete encasing Mr. Ballard's handprints and footprints and the inscription to the Hockey Hall of Fame.  Bill Ballard and Terry Clancy, sons of Harold Ballard and Francis Michael "King" Clancy, were on hand to participate in the ceremony.

"Maple Leaf Gardens is perhaps the most important building in the history of hockey," said Phil Pritchard, Curator, Hockey Hall of Fame. "We are grateful to Ryerson University and Loblaw for donating an artifact that will help our visitors learn about this important chapter in hockey history, and two of its most colourful characters."

The concrete slab was removed from Maple Leaf Gardens in January 2010, during the renovations currently underway to revitalize the historic building. The Ryerson University Sports and Recreation Centre will occupy part of Maple Leaf Gardens. The remaining portion is being redeveloped by Loblaw and will include a Loblaw grocery store, a Joe Fresh Style® studio store and additional retail.

"Maple Leaf Gardens is an integral part of the history of Toronto and professional hockey.  Loblaw is committed to preserving historical elements of the building and are happy today to be making this donation to the Hockey Hall of Fame so sports fans can continue to enjoy the legend of Maple Leaf Gardens," said Jane Marshall, executive vice president, Properties, Loblaw Companies Limited.

"Ryerson University is mindful of respecting the heritage of Maple Leaf Gardens as we build an outstanding athletic and recreational facility for future generations of students," said Adam B. Kahan, Vice-President, University Advancement, Ryerson University.   "We are very pleased to donate this small piece of history, which we hope will contribute to the Hockey Hall of Fame's wonderful work in telling hockey's great stories to fans from around the world." 

The new Ryerson University Sports and Recreation Centre is a $60 million investment.  The Government of Canada has set aside up to one-third of total eligible project costs, to a maximum federal contribution of $20 million. Ryerson University will provide $20 million through student fees and the final $20 million will be raised by Ryerson and Loblaw through a joint fundraising campaign, including a $5 million contribution from Loblaw.

About Loblaw Companies Limited
Loblaw Companies Limited, a subsidiary of George Weston Limited, is Canada's largest food distributor and a leading provider of drugstore, general merchandise and financial products and services. Loblaw is one of the largest private sector employers in Canada. With more than 1,000 corporate and franchised stores from coast to coast, Loblaw and its franchisees employ over 138,000 full-time and part-time employees. Through its portfolio of store formats, Loblaw is committed to providing Canadians with a wide, growing and successful range of products and services to meet the everyday household demands of Canadian customers. Loblaw is known for the quality, innovation and value of its food offering. It offers Canada's strongest control (private) label program, including the unique President's Choice®, no name® and Joe Fresh Style® brands. In addition, the Company makes available to customers President's Choice Financial® services and offers the PC® points loyalty program.

About Ryerson University
Ryerson University is Canada's leader in innovative, career-oriented education and a university clearly on the move. With a mission to serve societal need, and a long-standing commitment to engaging its community, Ryerson offers close to 100 undergraduate and graduate programs. Distinctly urban, culturally diverse and inclusive, the university is home to 28,000 students, including 2,000 master's and PhD students, nearly 2,700 tenured and tenure-track faculty and staff, and more than 130,000 alumni worldwide. Research at Ryerson is on a trajectory of success and growth: externally funded research has doubled in the past four years. The G. Raymond Chang School of Continuing Education is Canada's leading provider of university-based adult education. For more information, visit www.ryerson.ca

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For further information:

Bob Stellick   
[phone]     
[email protected] 

Loblaw Public Relations Department
[phone] or
[email protected]

Ryerson University
Michael Forbes
[phone]
[email protected]