Local speed skating club raises alarm over possible Maple Leafs takeover of home rink

A community speed skating club in Toronto is concerned their home rink may be on the verge of getting taken over by the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Ken George, the president of the Toronto Speed Skating Club, says the club has been warned by the Ford Performance Centre about plans to convert the Olympic-size ice surface they currently use into the size of a NHL hockey rink to accommodate the Leafs.

He says he was told those potential plans were stalled due to global supply chain issues during the COVID-19 pandemic, but fears work could start as soon as this summer. 

"Ultimately, at the end of the day, the Olympic ice is essential for us from both the competition, safety and training point of view to keep our athletes going at the national level," said George.

"We just need a home."

The Ford Performance Centre is the official practice facility for the NHL's Toronto Maple Leafs, and is outfitted with thousands of square feet of dedicated and private space for them, which includes dressing, medical, physiotherapy and training rooms for the team, according to the centre's website. The Leafs, George says, already use three of the venue's four ice pads to practice.

While renovating the rink could benefit the hockey team, doing so would come at the detriment of grassroot sports, the club says. About 200 people strong, George says they've been practicing at the centre for about 15 years because it's one of the only rinks that can properly accommodate high-level speed skating. 

"This is why we're here at this facility and why we choose to be at a facility like this," said George.

The centre is owned and operated by Lakeshore Arena Corporation, a corporation controlled by the City of Toronto. In a statement to CBC Toronto, executive