Groups interested in saving two historic aircraft hangars slated for demolition on the former CFB Downsview air base will have until Feb. 1 to put a deal in place.
“Talks are continuing,” said David Soknacki, chair of Downsview Park’s board. While discussions are ongoing, Soknacki said that “incredible challenges” exist, most specifically relating to Defence Department concerns over security and the financial viability of proposals for the buildings and land.
“You’ve got a proposal that has a couple of very high hurdles,” Soknacki said. Built in 1943, the hangars were designated as heritage buildings by the federal government in 1992.
In a January statement, the Heritage Canada Foundation called on Defence Minister Peter MacKay to delay demolition to allow for talks to find demolition alternatives to continue.
“I think there are some creative solutions as to what to do with historic hangars,” said Carolyn Quinn, director of communications at the Heritage Canada Foundation. “These buildings are extraordinarily good examples of aircraft hangars,” said Paul Oberman of Woodcliffe Properties, who has restored heritage properties including the North Toronto Station. “They’re extremely well designed and well proportioned.”
Oberman is currenly working to save the buildings in a deal that would likely involve a land exhange between the park and the Defense Department. Current talks involve a number of options, including residential and commercial retail, that would not necessitate adversely altering the buildings. Despite restoration costs he estimated to “be in excess of $10 million” before they are repurposed, Oberman is optimistic. “I’m virtually 100 per cent confident we can find a viable use for the buildings.”