September 19, 2014
The Honourable David C. Onley, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, was joined by Deputy Mayor Norm Kelly, MPP Han Dong on behalf of the Honourable Michael Coteau, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport, and Chief M. Bryan LaForme of the Mississaugas of the New Credit First Nation today to officially open a new visitor centre at Toronto's Fort York National Historic Site.
“This impressive new building will enhance the experience of all who visit the birthplace of urban Toronto," said Deputy Mayor Kelly. "This space will convey Toronto's military and social history in a modern context through exhibitions and events."
“Across the country, museums and cultural spaces like the Fort York Visitor Centre are committed to protecting and promoting our history, and I’m proud of our government’s support for them. I congratulate the City of Toronto for helping ensure that Canadians will have access to our rich heritage and be able to experience history in meaningful and relevant ways,” said the Honourable Shelly Glover, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages.
“The new visitors centre will reflect and honour Fort York’s historical significance,” said the Honourable Michael Coteau, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport. “It will be a special place for visitors and members of the community for generations to come.”
The new 27,400-square- foot (2,545-square-metre) visitor centre is located below and just north of the Gardiner Expressway, at the entrance to Fort York. In alignment with the original shoreline of Lake Ontario the visitor centre’s striking front elevation of weathered steel mimics the original lake bluff, which contributed to the fort’s natural defences.
Designed by Patkau Architects Inc. of Vancouver with Kearns Mancini Architects Inc. of Toronto, the visitor centre received a Canadian Architect magazine Award of Excellence in 2011. Their design was selected from an international competition held in 2009.
The new building includes information services, exhibition galleries, spaces for meetings and educational programs, and a café. Administrative offices will be relocated from the fort's historic structures, allowing the fort's historic buildings to become fully opened to the public.
On September 20 and 21, the public is invited to On Common Ground, a free weekend of music and dance performances and exhibitions at Fort York. More information about these events, the new visitor centre and its exhibitions is available at
http://www.toronto.ca/fortified.
Financial support for the visitor centre and its exhibits has been pledged by all three levels of government and include a provincial contribution from the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport, and federal funding from the Canada Cultural Spaces Fund at Canadian Heritage. The visitor centre is also supported by the efforts of the Fort York Foundation and the Friends of Fort York.
Fort York is the birthplace of urban Toronto and the site of Canada's largest collection of 1812-era military structures. The new visitor centre is a key component in the ongoing revitalization of the entire 17-hectare (43-acre) site. Fort York is located at 250 Fort York Blvd. and is one of 10 historic museums operated by the City of Toronto.
Toronto's historic sites offer a range of dynamic programs and events that inspire, entertain and bring the history of Toronto to life.
The public can call Fort York directly at 416-392-6907 or visit
http://www.toronto.ca/fortyork for more information. Members of the public who use social media can also find, and interact with, Fort York at twitter.com/fortyork and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/fortyork.
Toronto is Canada's largest city, the fourth largest in North America, and home to a diverse population of about 2.8 million people. It is a global centre for business, finance, arts and culture and is consistently ranked one of the world's most livable cities. Toronto is proud to be the Host City for the 2015 Pan American and Parapan American Games. For information on non-emergency City services and programs, Toronto residents, businesses and visitors can visit
http://www.toronto.ca, call 311, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, or follow us @TorontoComms.
- 30 -
Media contact: Shane Gerard, Strategic Communications, 416-397-5711, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
