MAPLE LEAF TO SELL GARDENS TO LOBLAWS
By Adnews Staff
Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment plans to sell Maple Leaf Gardens to Loblaw Properties, a subsidiary of Loblaw Companies. No financial details are known. The sale is expected to close early next year. The Gardens, located in downtown Toronto, has been closed since 1999 when the Toronto Maple Leafs moved to the Air Canada Centre. Loblaws plans to open what its describes as a combination food and non-food market in the building in 2005. According to the company, certain areas will be dedicated to the building's history and a retail outlet that will sell Maple Leafs memorabilia and merchandise. Some renovations will be made, but the existing facades on Carlton and Church streets and the building's existing rooflines will be maintained, the company said.