Unofficial Toronto Maple Leafs

The Neighborhood:	Located in the heart of the city, the arena is close to the CN Tower, the theatre district, restaurants, 15 major hotels, shopping, and two main transportation arteries: the Gardiner Expressway and Union Station that services the Toronto Transit Commission and GO train. The facility has revitalized the area known as the Railway Lands East. Air Canada Centre provides an excellent link between the downtown core and Harbourfront, one of Toronto's major tourist attractions.
Home Teams:	Toronto Maple Leafs of the National Hockey League Toronto Raptors Basketball Club of the National Basketball Association.
Groundbreaking:	February 1997
Opening Hockey Game:	February 20th, 1999 (Maple Leafs vs. Montreal Canadiens)
Opening Basketball Game:	February 21st, 1999 (Raptors vs. Vancouver Grizzlies)
Seating Capacity:	Basketball-19,800 seats Hockey-18,800 Full house concerts-19,800 Theatre- 5,200 Including: 1020 Club Seats 40 Platinum Lounges - unique to a North American venue 65 Executive Suites 32 Theatre Suites 16 Loge suites, 2nd and 3rd level loges Premium Seats-Three Group Sales Areas including a 200-seat gondola Seats throughout the facility are 19" and 20" and fully upholstered
Seating Distance:	(Direct Line of Sight) (Basketball Mode): Sideline to last seat upper deck-165-ft (50.29m) Baseline to last seat 3rd balcony-167 ft (50.90m) Not a traditional "racetrack" design. Excellent sightlines with a stated intention of bringing fans closer to the action.
Accessibility:	The arena is user-friendly, providing 1% of fixed seating for disabled fans and their companions. Accessible seating areas are strategically located throughout the building, providing maximum flexibility and pricing selection. Among other features, all public washrooms are wheelchair accessible with accommodating counter heights and lower urinals with grab bars. Food and beverage service counters are lowered to accessible service heights.
Arena Usage:	Basketball, hockey, concerts, family shows, skating events, corporate trade shows, the circus, and various sporting and community events as well as bookings for private functions.
Restaurants:	There are themed concession stands, unique restaurants and kiosks offering a diverse food and beverage program, capturing the multicultural flavour of Toronto, all at affordable prices. There are three members-only restaurants, the Air Canada Club, Platinum Club, and the Hot Stove Club, as well as a sports bar and a microbrewery within the facility.
In-House Brewery:	Air Canada Centre has the only brewery in Canada located in a sports arena. Brewmaster Roxanne Diakowsky has created two new types of Molson Beer. Toronto's Own and Molson Amber Ale join Molson products, Canadian, Export, Rickard's Red, and Coors Light as beers being brewed and served right here in Air Canada Centre.
Parking and Transportation:	There are over 13,000 parking spaces within immediate walking distance of the arena. In addition, the arena is just a two-minute walk from Union Station with the GO Transit system of commuter trains as well as Toronto's world-renowned TTC subway system.
Design Elements:	Air Canada Centre is built on the site of the Canada Post Delivery Building and still retains the east and south walls, setting the context for this 665,000 square foot facility. In addition to the arena, a 140,000 square foot 12 storey office tower, the Air Canada Tower, in the northeast corner of the facility, adding to the skyline presence of this exciting arena. Air Canada, a major building partner, resides in the top nine floors. A conservation program is in place to maintain the integrity of the original building facade including the restoration of stonework, bas-relief panels, replication of historic window profiles. The roof is 40 feet above the existing facades, and has a profile designed to be flat, giving the appearance of a hangar. This allows for better acoustics inside and a prominent city presence outside without blocking the view of other landmark buildings.
Technology:	Air Canada Centre showcases the best in-arena audiovisual technology. An upgraded acoustic system supplied by Bose system, worth $1.2 million, ensures the building is ready to rock.
Sony Jumbotron:	The Sony LED wide-screen Jumbotron made its Canadian Debut at Air Canada Centre. Four state-of-the-art wide-screen display systems serve as the central television screen and message board. The scoreboard incorporates Sony's high-resolution audio/visual screens. More than 700 Sony Televisions are situated throughout the arena.
Sears Theatre:	Air Canada Centre houses the largest theatre in Toronto. The Sears Theatre is a self-contained 5,200-seat theatre that fills an important niche in Toronto's theatre marketplace. The Sears Theatre attracts medium-sized concerts and family shows that are better presented in an intimate setting.
Bell Media Centre:	The Bell Media Centre, located on event level of Air Canada Centre, is a top-of-the-line facility providing up-to-the-minute sports and news information through: eight separate Bell ExpressVu TV satellite feeds featuring access to sports; news, and events from around the world; up-to-the-minute Sports Ticker; computer and high-speed Internet access with on-line statistical information, supplied by Bell ActiMedia; and voice and data connections.
Ice Rink Conversion Time:	Four to six hours, from basketball mode to full hockey set up.
Ice Surface Quality:	Ice rink and plant surface meet all professional safety standards suitable for professional hockey, figure skating and mass audience ice shows. Rink measures 85' by 200'.
Ice Making Technology:	Refrigeration Plant: CIMCO Lewis Ice System Purification: Jet Ice
Dasher Board System:	Ice Pro System
Ice Surface Management:	Two Zambonis - stored in-house
Hockey Surface Sub-Contractor:	CIMCO Lewis Ice System
Signage Considerations:	Rotating (30-second intervals) signage synchronized with scoreboard, 200 level, and fixed dasher board signage.
Television Broadcast:	MLSEL staff have been working closely with Dome Productions, CBC and other broadcasters to ensure that Air Canada Centre will continue to meet world-class standards for broadcast. Dome Productions has excellent hockey broadcast credentials due to its extensive experience with the NHL, IHL, AHL and World Hockey Championships.
Galleria:	Running in an east-west direction, just south of the GO train tracks, the Galleria is a public thoroughfare located at the north end of Air Canada Centre. It is a covered, climate-controlled walkway that houses the ticket office, food court and other retail space. In addition, a historical display of artifacts from the original Canada Post Delivery Building and site is a prominent feature. Nearly 60 percent of guests enter Air Canada Centre through gate 1, located in the Galleria.
PATH Walkway System:	Air Canada Centre is connected to the well-known "PATH" system, providing covered access to the downtown core. "PATH" reaches as far north as Dundas Street. Two grade level connections, referred to as the Baywest Teamway and the Blue Route provide convenient access from Union Station to the Galleria, a climate controlled public square with retailing and food opportunities.
Family Fan Considerations:	Air Canada Centre is considerate of fans of all ages. There are baby change tables in all washrooms, as well as lower urinals for children. Multiple location Scotia Bank machines, phones and water fountains are also located throughout the facility. The arena's accessibility from major public transportation arteries also makes it fan-friendly to families.
Architect:	Brisbin, Brook, Beynon Architects, well known for other projects such as: GM Place, Vancouver; Metro Hall, Toronto; Metropolitan Life Building, Toronto; and the World Trade Centre, Ottawa.
Contractor:	PCL Constructors Eastern Inc., Canada's largest general contractor, constructed the arena and office tower.
Economic Stimulus:	Over the next 10 years, this additional spending combined with arena and team operations will result in a total economic benefit of $2.4 billion. (1997 - 2007). The arena construction will be the impetus for other downtown development associated with the railway lands east. Approximately $13 million in public infrastructure elements will be advanced by at least five and up to as many as 15 years ahead of schedule through private financing in conjunction with the project. Projects include: the Bay West Teamway, Union Plaza, the Galleria, Bremner Boulevard and related infrastructure. No public funding was used.