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news

Landlord Evicts Air and Space Museum

By Meg Campbell

The Canadian Air and Space Museum, located at Downsview Park, has received an eviction notice from its landlord after falling $100,000 behind on its rent, according to ctvtoronto.ca. The museum’s CEO, Robert Cohen, said they were not expecting the notice and museum staff were rushing to clear the building today before they are locked out, removing everything from office equipment to an iconic Avro Arrow. Cohen claims that the landlord, Parc Downsview Park Inc., returned cheques he sent them earlier this month, adding that he believes there are plans to build a large sports complex at the site. The museum was founded in the historically rich building at Downsview in 1997; it operates as a non-profit organization.

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  • Anonymous

    There already is a large sports complex at the site, no?

  • SaveOntarioHistory

    Bad time for museums. City Hall is now prepared to sacrifice a Toronto Museum, in the interests of Ford’s Gravy Chase.

  • Kidsafeproductions

    This is an outrage! I just contacted the museum and was told that they had indeed offered to pay the money but it was returned to them by the landlord who favours having a sports complex now that the subway will be coming.

    Not only is this an affront to the good good people who fought and died for the freedoms we enjoy in this country, as well as for those who fought and lived and continue to use this museum as a meeting place and a way of life but it is also an affront to Canada’s own history. The Downsview site has been home to air and space for decades. It was bad enough when Prime Minister Diefenbaker cut funding to the program basically crippling Canada’s chances at becoming a world participator in the race for space as well as any future endeavours it may have participated in but, here we go again.

    I also heard that the military housing in that area is also being emptied. I wish to know where they will go now!

  • Psyclebabe

    Clearly this is a sign of the times. I always feel like running away when there are conservative governments. At any rate, without all the details I wonder why Mr Cohen was not more proactive when the cheques were returned. Maybe if a lawyer had intervened at the time, the outcome may have been different. Sad for the city to lose the museum and sad for people to lose their jobs…The cons don’t really care.

  • FAC33

    The Star is confirming that the site is slated to become an ice rink: http://www.thestar.com/news/article/1056639–air-and-space-museum-to-become-ice-rink.

    They’re also quoting Downsview management as saying the museum has six months to vacate–although this is somewhat at odds with footage I saw on Global at 6 pm of the locks being changed.

    Unfortunately, the museum was rather badly marketed and so indeed did not draw a lot of people to the park. My husband is a member and has donated some of his father’s effects, and almost every time he mentioned the museum folks had never heard of it. It’s a shame because the Arrow replica is beautiful and they were also restoring a Lanc.

  • Anonymous

    That is just bullshit. The museum should not be paying rent in the first place, what the hell is wrong with people? We should be expanding museums such as this one that show what Canadians can do and it may inspire those younger people to be proud of our efforts on this scientific front and maybe to the point some may pursue careers in avionics and /or space sciences. Just appalling, absolutely appalling.

    • sdowswell

      Indeed, this is a terrible thing to have happened.

      From what I understand, the museum did not initially have to pay rent. From what I have read (though sadly I forget where) it is just over the last several years that they began doing so, and since then it has rising to over $15,000 a month.

      It is my opinion that, given the historical relevance of this building, the group may have a case to stop this ice rink on grounds of its value as a heritage property. De havilland stood at the centre of the Canadian aviation industry for a long time.

  • Davewin1

    the contact information to send your displeasure to, and demand changes, are as follows.

    dsoknacki@downsviewpark.ca (David Soknacki, the Chairman of the Board, Downsview Park Inc)
    or
    pasprey@downsviewpark.ca (Pamela Asprey: Assistant to the CEO of Downsview Park Inc)

  • Dee

    The locks were changed…. staff and volunteers can’t even come in to work without ‘permission’ from the park…