133-759: Enercare Centre , formerly known as the Direct Energy Centre and originally the National Trade Centre , is an exhibition complex located at Exhibition Place in Toronto , Ontario, Canada. It is used by the Canadian National Exhibition and the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair , as well as by various trade shows. In 2015, it hosted several sport competitions and the broadcasting centre for
266-649: A "sky ride", with chairs similar to ski-lift chairs, to carry riders from just west of the Princes' Gates to south of BMO Field. The Coca-Cola Coliseum is used for live shows. Including high-wire acts, skating, and the RCMP Musical Ride in the past, most recently was an aerial and acrobatic show featuring Olympic skater Elvis Stojko. Outdoors, the Bandshell is used for daily music and nightly headliners. Additionally, areas are set up at various points around
399-626: A Modernist façade main entrance to the south in 1963. The original façade was restored when the Enercare Centre was built. It is home to the minor league Toronto Marlies professional ice hockey team during the winter months. Every November, it is used for the "Royal Horse Show" component of the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair annually in November. In another partnership with Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment,
532-615: A WindShare wind turbine was built to the west of the Fort Rouillé site. The wind turbine has since been renamed ExPlace Wind Turbine . During the 2000s, the Exhibition Place grounds has seen several proposals for new uses. In July 2005, the City of Toronto asked for aquarium proposals from private enterprises. The only two respondents, Ripley Entertainment and Oceanus Holdings, suggested that they would be interested provided
665-724: A baseball diamond in the far west corner of Exhibition Place, but that diamond was replaced by the OVO Athletic Centre . At the Centre, the CNE holds a 3-on-3 basketball tournament. Each night of the fair, live music is presented at the CNE Bandshell . It is an outdoor venue in the west end of the park, with a stage reminiscent of the Hollywood Bowl and bench seats in a park-like setting that gently slopes down to
798-463: A display of foundations of New Fort York which once occupied part of the site. Exhibition Place was also home to Exhibition Stadium, which was built out of the fourth Grandstand by adding two extra wings of seats. The original grandstand had been constructed in the late 1800s and was re-modelled, replaced, or destroyed over the years. It served as home to the CFL's Toronto Argonauts between 1958 and 1988 and
931-546: A high-speed open-wheel car racing circuit for the first time. The race, known today as the Honda Indy Toronto, has taken place annually since, and is part of the IndyCar Series . The streets of Exhibition Place are closed off to regular traffic and a closed circuit is made through the grounds and along Lake Shore Boulevard. The race meant the end of the landmark Bulova/Shell Oil observation tower. In 1987,
1064-533: A major feature of the fair since 1949, held over Lake Ontario just south of the CNE grounds. There are two major parades at the CNE, the Warriors' Day Parade of veterans on the first Saturday of the fair and the Labour Day Parade of workers on Labour Day . The Warriors' Day Parade honours Canada's military veterans and includes military vehicles. The Canadian Armed Forces has a display each year at
1197-487: A number of civic, provincial, and national historic sites. The district's facilities are used year-round for exhibitions, trade shows, public and private functions, and sporting events. From mid-August through Labour Day each year, the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE), from which the name Exhibition Place is derived, is held on the grounds. During the CNE, Exhibition Place encompasses 260 acres (1.1 km ), expanding to include nearby parks and parking lots. The CNE uses
1330-632: A permanent fair in Toronto. The new fair, known as the Toronto Industrial Exhibition, opened on September 2, 1879, and lasted for three weeks (Sundays excepted). The 50 acres (20 ha) site hosted an attendance of more than 100,000 paid admissions and 8,234 exhibits. As the fair grew, it exhibited the latest technological advances. Exhibition patrons were introduced to electric railway transportation in 1883, to "Edison's Perfected Phonograph " in 1888, to "wireless telegraphy" at
1463-595: A point of entry to the fair. With funds from pro sports, BMO Field was built, which also necessitated the moving of the Hockey Hall of Fame downtown. In the south-west corner of the site, the Hotel X was built and the Automotive Building converted to year-round meeting space. These changes, while improving the financial position of Exhibition Place, have reduced the footprint of the fair further. In 2024,
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#17327765677931596-591: A public square, and move the parking underground. South of the central section are two pedestrian bridges over Lake Shore Boulevard to the Ontario Place complex. The east block was the most active area of military usage and retains the only military building left on the site, the Stanley Barracks Officers' Quarters, dating to the 1840s. The area is a mix of buildings, including the older Coliseum, Horse Palace and newer buildings. The section
1729-542: A rose garden, statues and parking lots. Historically, it is the site of Fort Rouillé , an 18th-century French fort, marked by a monument. As part of the settlement of Toronto by the British, the site became a military reserve for use by the Toronto Garrison of Fort York and cleared of forest in the early 19th century. The Exhibition received permission to use part of the reserve in the 1870s and expanded to use
1862-647: A series of six limestone buildings and several smaller ones. The fort was surrounded by a wood fence as elaborate defensive works were never built. The fort was turned over to the Canadian military in 1870, which named it Stanley Barracks in 1893. The Provincial Agricultural Association and the Board of Agriculture for Canada West inaugurated the Provincial Agricultural Fair of Canada West in 1846, to be held annually in different localities. For
1995-547: A value of CA$ 7.5 million. At the 2015 Pan American Games , the venue hosted the sports of volleyball in Hall A, handball and roller sports figure skating in Hall B, racquetball and squash in Hall C and gymnastics in the adjoining Ricoh Coliseum . Pan American Games organizers referred to the centre as the "Exhibition Centre". The building was also the location of the Main Press and Broadcasting Centre for
2128-556: A watercourse laid out on Lake Ontario. As a result of the games, the 2015 Toronto Honda Indy was scheduled in June to allow for time for the site to prepare for the Pan Am Games. As well the site was wound down in time for setup for the 2015 Canadian National Exhibition (scheduled to open August 21). While the CNE only lasts for a few weeks at the end of the summer, many major permanent buildings and other structures have been built over
2261-407: Is a long hall, linking the exhibit spaces with various offices. Most of the southern wall of the hall is glass, providing light to the entrances to the exhibit halls which have no windows. At the eastern end of the hall is a small open exhibition space, sometimes used as an art gallery, used by the CNE for cat and dog shows. At the eastern end of the hall is a "living wall." Under the main exhibit space
2394-542: Is an underground parking garage, providing 1,300 spaces, which is connected to the Beanfield Centre in the Automotive Building to the south by a tunnel. Along the top of the hall at towers above entrances are four rotating spotlights which are illuminated when shows are being held at the centre. The external southern frontage differs along its length. The eastern section mimics the building style of
2527-610: Is dominated by the exhibition complex of the Enercare Centre, Coliseum and the Industry Building. The Horse Palace (which adjoins the Coliseum and is used for equine shows and quartering), the Automotive Building (which was once used for car shows and is now a conference centre) and the General Services Building are all older exhibition buildings dating from the 1920s. The new "Hotel X" project includes
2660-506: Is good for both the CNEA and Exhibition Place. The agreement will protect the Board of Governors and the City against any negative financial consequences and at the same time allow the CNEA to reach financial and organizational stability for the newly independent organization." "It will be beneficial for the CNEA to be independent from the City of Toronto to be able to determine and implement consumer strategies and fiscal decisions that are made in
2793-516: Is located in the northwest corner of Exhibition Place, with smaller rides suitable for children under 12. The midway for older youths and adults is situated west of the Enercare Centre and south of BMO Field. It has several dozen rides, including thrill rides, roller coasters, swing rides and a log plume ride. Along several pathways of the midway area are carnival games of "skill", games of chance and many carnival food vendors. The CNE operates
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#17327765677932926-529: Is marked by the large ceremonial Princes' Gates, named for Edward, Prince of Wales , and his brother, Prince George , who visited in 1927. The roads are all named after Canadian provinces and territories except for Princes' Boulevard, which is the main street east to west. Several of the roads are used for the annual Grand Prix of Toronto car race. South of the grounds is Ontario Place , a theme park built in 1971 on landfill in Lake Ontario, and operated by
3059-799: Is operated by the Canadian National Exhibition Association (CNEA) and its volunteer Board of Directors. The CNEA is governed under the jurisdiction of two Acts of the Province of Ontario: the Canadian National Exhibition Association Act , 2000, and the Agricultural and Horticultural Organizations Act , R.S.O. 1990, chapter A.9. Exhibition Place is owned by City of Toronto and is governed by the Board of Governors (BOG) of Exhibition Place. Through various agreements with
3192-719: Is situated on the site of the TTC rail lines that separated the Coliseum and Industry buildings from the Engineering and Electrical Building. Four of the original "Statues of Industry" which adorned the facade of the Electrical and Engineering Building are mounted in the Heritage Court. The Annex building is used to store cattle and small livestock during the Winter Fair and the CNE. Judging is done in small rings within
3325-474: The 2015 Pan American Games . The naming rights for the complex are currently owned by energy services company Enercare Inc., a subsidiary of Brookfield Infrastructure Partners . Located just to the west of the Princes' Gates at the eastern end of Exhibition Place, it was previously the site of a streetcar loop and open space. The new building took over the frontage along Prince's Boulevard and connected to
3458-631: The Horse Palace was built, replacing temporary stables used for the Winter Fair. The Horse Palace used Art Deco ornamentation. In 1936, the Art Deco Bandshell was constructed for open-air music concerts. During the Second World War , the exhibition grounds became Toronto's main military training grounds. The CNE, and virtually all other non-military uses of the lands ceased. The CNE was not held between 1942 and 1946, when
3591-487: The Horticulture Building became a night club known as "Muzik." The Automotive Building was turned over to private management and is used exclusively for private events and conferences & has become known as the "Beanfield Centre" since 2017 by virtue of a naming rights agreement. In 1999, Exhibition Stadium , mostly vacant after the opening of the downtown SkyDome stadium, was demolished. The site
3724-524: The Stanley Barracks building were filled in the early part of the 20th century. Today, the district is mostly paved, with an area of parkland remaining in its western section. There is a large open paved area in the southern central section, which is used for parking and the temporary amusements of the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE). The site has a variety of historic buildings, open spaces and monuments. The eastern entrance to Exhibition Place
3857-505: The Toronto Blue Jays (AL) between 1977 and 1989. The two teams left for SkyDome (now Rogers Centre) in 1989. After it lost many stadium concert tours to Rogers Centre, and many other outdoor concerts to the nearby Budweiser Stage (then known as Molson Amphitheatre) at Ontario Place, its usefulness was at an end. The stadium was demolished in 1999 to serve as parking and allow a more sprawling midway. However, on October 26, 2005,
3990-482: The Toronto FC soccer (association football) team. Each team plays at least one home game during the fair. The CNE holds several sports tournaments during the fair. At Coronation Park , located across Lake Shore Boulevard, to the east of the Princes' Gates, the CNE holds two baseball tournaments. It holds a youth peewee baseball tournament and a girl's fastball tournament. The tournaments used to be played at
4123-475: The 1858 fair, to be held in Toronto, a permanent "Palace of Industry" exhibition building, based on London's Crystal Palace , was built at King and Shaw Streets in what is now Liberty Village . The site held four more fairs until the 1870s when the City of Toronto government decided the exhibition had outgrown the site. The City signed a lease with the Government of Canada for a section of the western end of
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4256-666: The 1899 fair, radio in the 1920s, to television in 1939, to plastics and synthetics in the 1940s. In its twenty-fifth iteration, the 1903 fair was the first known as the Canadian National Exhibition, and it was officially opened by Lord Strathcona . In 1937, Conklin Shows was awarded the contract to provide amusement rides and games for the CNE midway. The company was sold in 2004 for US$ 100 million and merged with two other carnival operators to form North American Midway Entertainment, which now operates
4389-429: The 1920s, the exhibition grounds were expanded to the west and to the east, as well as to the south, where reclaimed land was used to build Lake Shore Boulevard (originally "Boulevard Drive"), connecting downtown with Toronto's growing western suburbs. The Coliseum, to host the new Royal Agricultural Winter Fair , was opened in 1921, followed by the Government of Ontario Building in 1926, the Princes' Gates in 1927, and
4522-613: The 1959 Dufferin Gate. A monorail was proposed to move people around the site and to and from the parking lots. It had first been proposed to connect Union Station and the Exhibition Grounds. Dufferin Street was to be connected to Lake Shore Boulevard, a new four-lane road along the north of the site and a new 1800-place parking lot taking the place of buildings to the west of Dufferin. The plan resulted in some demolition, such as
4655-505: The 2008 Canadian National Exhibition alone. Other highlights of the research, included a sample size of 1,200 people in on-site, face-to-face interviews, include: The CNE achieved a historical milestone in 2022, by returning after a two-year closure and attracted 1.56 million visitors to its grounds; generating significant economic impact nearly CA$ 112 million for the Greater Toronto Area and CA$ 142 million for
4788-554: The 2009 CNE attracted more than 275,000 out-of-town visitors to the city, and that fair-related hiring created an equivalent of 633 full-year jobs in the region. Spending also supported CA$ 12.9 million of tax revenue to three levels of government. This national research initiative, commissioned by the Canadian Association of Fairs and Exhibitions (CAFE), was conducted at 20 fairs of varying sizes throughout Canada in 2008. A total of 1,200 people were interviewed during
4921-474: The 2012 season, the CNE has hosted a food truck rally called "Food Truck Frenzy." This event takes place on Princes' Boulevard just inside the Princes' Gates at the east end of the grounds. The 2016 edition featured 26 food trucks serving specialty foods. A " Craft Beer Fest" was added to the event in 2015 and continues to this day. During the fair, several licensed restaurants operate on the grounds. Several shopping opportunities are available for visitors at
5054-478: The 2016 season. In conjunction with the stadium construction, Princes' Boulevard was re-routed to the south of the stadium. The Coliseum (1922, now part of the Enercare Centre complex) is an indoor arena. It is an example of Beaux-Arts design by City architect George F. W. Price and renovated by Brisbin Brook Beynon, Architects. Its main entrance was originally to the north, and the building was remodelled with
5187-717: The Annex, in the Coliseum and in a temporary judging area in the new addition. The area is also used by trade shows for demonstration space. As well as being used as part of the Canadian National Exhibition , it hosts the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair annually. Trade shows such as the Toronto International Boat Show , the National Home Show and the One of A Kind Show are held annually in the complex. The Honda Indy Toronto IndyCar race also uses
5320-409: The Automotive Building, using masonry and columns, while the western section is steel and glass, described as "flamboyant futurism". To the north of the new addition is the "Heritage Court" hall, oriented west–east, which links the Coliseum, the Annex and the new addition. It is 50,000 square feet (4,600 m) in size. The western entrance to the complex is at the western end of the hall and serves as
5453-567: The Bandshell. Built in the 1930s, the stage has had a huge number of performances from famous entertainers from many different genres over the years. In the past, the various Exhibition Stadiums hosted large outdoor concerts. The current BMO Field is not used for outdoor live concerts, preserving the field's surface for sports. Today, the Budweiser Stage south of Lake Shore Boulevard in Ontario Place hosts large live concerts during
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5586-675: The Biosteel Centre (now the OVO Athletic Centre ), a practice facility which is shared part-time with the community. In the south-east, along Lake Shore Boulevard, the Hotel X Toronto was constructed on the site of New Fort York. The foundations of several of the New Fort York buildings were revealed as part of the development. The hotel was built to complement the facilities of the Enercare and Allstream Centres. The soccer stadium
5719-591: The Blue Jays and Argonauts meant the City had no money to restore old buildings on the site. The Flyer, the Alpine Way and Exhibition Stadium were torn down and the National Trade Centre built. The Indy car race was introduced and Toronto has encouraged year-round use of Exhibition Place. Three of the westernmost former exhibit buildings are leased out for year-round attractions and are not part of
5852-513: The CNE Board of Directors entered into a ten-year agreement with Direct Energy Inc. to sponsor the centre's name, effective in March 2006. Fees go to a reserve fund which is used to keep the centre in a state of good repair. In 2014, part of Direct Energy was sold to Enercare Inc., including the name-in-title of the centre. The agreement was extended in 2016 for another ten years to end in 2026, at
5985-529: The CNE CEO raised concerns about the long-term viability of the fair with the ongoing changes to the site. In 2020, the CNE and all associated in-person events were cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic —the first time the CNE has been cancelled since World War II. The CNE reported that this caused a loss of over $ 35 million in potential revenue, and $ 128 million in economic impact to Ontario. In 2021, due to
6118-521: The CNE became the world's largest annual fair in 1920, a 50-year plan was launched following the urban design and architectural precedents of the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago . Chapman and Oxley prepared the 1920 plan, which emphasized Beaux-Arts architecture and City Beautiful urban design. The Empire Court was to be a monumental central space with a triumphal arch and gates and monumental exhibition buildings with courtyards. During
6251-460: The CNE featured a zip line ride. The ride launched from a ten-storey launch tower north of BMO Field. The landing tower, southwest of the current Enercare Centre, was 60 ft (18 m) high. The zip line ride consisted of four lines, each measuring nearly 1,100 ft (340 m). In 2016, the CNE saw the return of programming at the CNE waterfront with a daily water ski show, and national and international competitions. The same year also saw
6384-423: The CNE is their first employment experience. The CNEA partners with many corporate sponsors and provides a space for over 700 exhibitors. Both Canadian and international businesses contribute to the CNE. The CNEA works with several organizations to promote tourism to the Greater Toronto Area and the province of Ontario, including: Festivals and Events Ontario, Tourism Toronto and Attractions Ontario. The CNE
6517-696: The CNE to see the latest in consumer goods and agricultural advancements. In 1949, the Canadian International Air Show was held for the first time at the fair. In 1968, blue laws were relaxed, allowing the CNE to open on Sundays. The CNE added the Better Living Centre, the Queen Elizabeth building and the Shell Oil Tower in the post-war period. In the 1990s, an economic downturn and the leaving of
6650-423: The CNE were re-located. Those troops remaining either continued their regular administrative duties or participated in CNE displays and events aimed at promoting the Canadian war effort. CNE officials had hoped to continue the annual fair throughout the years of the war. In the spring of 1942, however, the CNE agreed to turn the grounds over to the Canadian military for use year-round. During the military occupation of
6783-495: The CNE. The event has since expanded to include a carnival, live music, parades, an air show, various entertainments, sporting events, as well as art displays and specialty vendors and foods. Special events include the Warriors' Day Parade , the Labour Day Parade and the Canadian International Air Show . The CNE is held at Exhibition Place , which is a 192 acres (78 ha) site located along Toronto's waterfront on
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#17327765677936916-609: The CNE: Queen Elizabeth Building : Enercare Centre: Outdoors: In September 1846, the Provincial Agricultural Fair of Canada West , sponsored by the Provincial Agricultural Association and the Board of Agriculture for Canada West , was held in Toronto in the area near present-day King and Simcoe Streets. While primarily an agricultural event, it also displayed manufactured goods and decorative arts and crafts. The fair
7049-533: The Canadian National Association (CNEA) announced that Darrell Brown was appointed as Chief Executive Office (CEO) of the CNEA. President Suzan Hall explained "Darrell Brown has been central to the stabilization of our organization, having secured substantial funding from both the Government of Canada and the Province of Ontario that has enabled the CNEA to survive". Darrell Brown has worked as a consultant, legal advisor, and entrepreneur over
7182-410: The Canadian military returned the grounds back to its civilian administrators. After the military vacated Stanley Barracks, the CNE made plans for the Barracks' demolition. However, until 1951, the buildings were used for emergency housing. The first phase of demolition in 1951 demolished all of the wooden buildings, leaving only the original stone buildings. In 1953, despite public opposition, three of
7315-460: The City of Toronto approved the construction of a 20,000 seat soccer stadium (BMO Field) on Exhibition Place land. The CNE has been host to four grandstands since its inception. The third grandstand, designed by G. W. Gouinlock, was built in 1907 and had a capacity of 16,000. It burned down in 1946, subsequently leading to the construction of the fourth (known as CNE Grandstand ), built in 1948. Designed by architects Marani and Morris, this building
7448-437: The City of Toronto, the CNEA operated as a program of the BOG until March 31, 2013. A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) outlined the various administrative, financial and operational services to be provided to the CNEA by Exhibition Place. The MOU also provided for the use of the buildings and grounds for the annual CNE. During the decade leading up to independence, the CNEA contributed more than CA$ 20 million in site fees to
7581-429: The Coliseum. In 2012, Canadian Olympic gold-medalists Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir performed in La Vie: Aerial Acrobatics & Ice Skating Show during the first 15 days of the fair, and three-time World Champion and Olympic silver-medalist Elvis Stojko closed out the show on Labour Day weekend. In 2015, Virtue and Moir returned for another ice skating and aerial acrobatics show, Bon Voyage! In both 2013 and 2014,
7714-400: The Electrical and Engineering Building in 1928. By the 1930s, the Beaux-Arts style faded in popularity. The start of the trend for a new style of architecture arguably became evident in the construction of the Automotive Building in 1929, the first building that moved away from the Beaux-Art architecture envisioned by the 1920 plan, mixing clean modern lines with classical ornamentation. In 1931,
7847-402: The Electrical and Engineering Building in 1972 (allegedly in poor structural condition) and the General Exhibits Building and Art Gallery, which were in the path of the new road. In 1974, the International Building, (formerly the Transportation Building), to the west of the bandshell, burnt down. It was hosting an exhibit on Spain during the CNE when it caught fire and was destroyed. The building
7980-627: The Ex and all summer long. During the fair, several stages are set up at different places, with live music in a beer garden setting. Many options are available across the site during the fair. The CNE Food Building offers a wide variety of food options including desserts, international cuisine, and fast food, as well as novelty items, including Frosted Flake, Battered Chicken on a Stick, Deep Fried Red Velvet Oreos and Bacon Wrapped Grilled Cheese. Halal, vegetarian and healthy food options are also widely available. The Food Building, which opened September 1, 1954, celebrates its 70th anniversary in 2024. Since
8113-426: The Fire Hall/Police Station, built in 1912. Just south of Dufferin Gate is Centennial Square, a green space with a bandstand. The Ontario Government Building was added later in 1926. The Bandshell, modeled after the famed Art Deco Hollywood Bowl was built in 1936, replacing a 1906 bandstand. North of the Bandshell is Bandshell Park, a large open green space for gatherings. Near the Bandshell is the 1790s Scadding Cabin ,
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#17327765677938246-428: The Food Building (1954), the Shell Oil Tower (1955), Queen Elizabeth Building (1957) and the Princess Margaret Fountain (1958). In the later 1950s, the new six-lane Gardiner Expressway was pushed through the north side of the grounds, cut below grade in the western section of the grounds, and an elevated section in the eastern section. This necessitated the demolition of the Dufferin Gate, the Women's Rest building and
8379-429: The Games (in Hall D). In 2015, the Exhibition Place Board of Governors and the City of Toronto commissioned a study of a possible expansion of the facility. The proposed expansion would add an additional hall connected to the west end of the main building. Designed by architectural teams Zeidler Partnership Architects and Dunlop-Farrow Architects, the building officially opened on April 3, 1997, with its first show being
8512-451: The Government Building was used as a barracks for soldiers, and a tent camp was set up on the site of the current Ontario Government Building (now Liberty Grand). The Dufferin Gates was manned by soldiers. The Stanley Barracks was also used as a prisoners-of-war and "enemy aliens" internment camp. The internment camp served as an intake centre; those interned at the Barracks stayed there temporarily before being moved to other camps. When
8645-409: The Government of Canada announced it would sponsor the exhibition at the site in 1903, the Toronto City Council decided to rebuild the exhibition site. In 1903, the Government of Canada reached an agreement to transfer the remaining military reserve to the City of Toronto. Under the agreement, military uses were permitted to continue until such time that replacement facilities were built. Included in this
8778-412: The Grandstand to house Canada's Sports Hall of Fame and the Hockey Hall of Fame . In 1963, the Coliseum was re-clad with a modernist south facade. To replace its exhibit in the Ontario Government Building, the Government of Ontario built Ontario Place on artificial islands to the south of Exhibition Place (accessible via two foot bridges). Coinciding with the opening of the ultra-modern Ontario Place to
8911-400: The International Pavilion, a garden show, and the SuperDogs performances. It also has exhibit space used for agricultural or industrial displays and a live stage. The Food Building houses a large number of vendors offering food from many cultures, reflecting Toronto's multicultural population. The Better Living Centre building is used for the CNE Casino on one side, and an agricultural display on
9044-412: The Machinery Hall. The new parabolic arch Dufferin Gate was built in 1959. On January 3, 1961, the Manufacturer's Building and the Women's Building (the one built prior to the Queen Elizabeth Building) were destroyed by fire. The buildings were replaced by the Better Living Centre, which came with a distinctive Mondrian -inspired ornament on its roof. In 1961, the Hall of Fame building opened north of
9177-414: The Manufacturers' building, which burned down in 1961. The new building replaced the exhibit space of the Manufacturers' Building and the General Exhibit Building. The CNE no longer uses the Better Living Centre for its original purpose of introducing consumers to the latest and greatest products during the CNE. Instead, it has been divided in two. One-half hosts the CNE Casino for the month of August, while
9310-452: The Music Building, which had closed due to structural problems, was gutted by fire. The 1907 exterior was restored and a new interior was built. In the 1990s, budget pressures on the City of Toronto led to a new emphasis on the self-sufficiency of Exhibition Place. It saw the tear-down of the permanent midway buildings and the Flyer roller coaster. The City planned to charge rent to the midway's operator, Conklin Shows, which chose to tear down
9443-468: The National Home Show. It has seven exhibit halls with one million square feet (93,000 m) of exhibition space. Four of the halls are separated by removable walls to create configurable space. Additionally, the Coliseum and Horse Palace can be integrated into an exhibition. The project cost CA$ 180 million ( CA$ 313 million in 2023 dollars). The cost was shared equally by the Toronto, Ontario and Canadian governments. The entire southern frontage
9576-414: The National Trade Centre, took over the location of the old TTC streetcar loop and CNE entrance and the open space vacant since the Electrical and Engineering Building was demolished. It is interconnected with the Coliseum and the Industry Building to the north to provide one large, configurable exhibition space. Home to the Toronto International Boat Show , the National Home Show, the One of A Kind Show, and
9709-443: The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair. Designed by architectural teams Zeidler Partnership Architects and Dunlop-Farrow Architects. During the exhibition, the building houses international product displays and animal shows. Canadian National Exhibition The Canadian National Exhibition ( CNE ), also known as The Exhibition or The Ex , is an annual fair that takes place at Exhibition Place in Toronto , Ontario , Canada, on
9842-453: The annual operating budget of the BOG, in addition to CA$ 7.3 million in operating surpluses. These contributions were included in consolidated annual financial results from the CNEA and BOG for the benefit of the City of Toronto. The Board announced in 2012 that the CNEA would become an independent agency. Chair of the Board, City Councillor Mark Grimes stated: "The independence of the CNEA
9975-609: The buildings for exhibits on agriculture, food, arts and crafts, government and trade displays. For entertainment, the CNE provides a midway of rides and games, music concerts at the Bandshell , featured shows at the Coliseum , and the Canadian International Air Show held over Lake Ontario just south of Exhibition Place. The fair is one of the largest and most successful of its kind in North America and an important part of
10108-482: The buildings instead and set up temporary rides each year for the CNE. The new National Trade Centre (now the Enercare Centre ) trade show building, planned since the 1971 plan, was built on the vacant Electrical Building site to host more and larger trade shows year-round. It incorporated the Coliseum and Annex buildings to create one large exhibit space. In 2003, the Coliseum (now the Coca-Cola Coliseum)
10241-545: The buildings to the west: the Better Living Centre (exhibition space), the Queen Elizabeth Building complex (theatre, exhibition and administration sections) and the Food Building. The BMO Field soccer stadium, built in 2007, is situated on the site of the 1947 Grandstand and the 1961 Halls of Fame building. South of BMO Field is a large open parking lot and midway area. The CNE plans to make the area
10374-421: The central block of the site, exhibited a new Modernist style of architecture. In 1946, the third Grandstand burned down. In its place was built the fourth Grandstand, a massive concrete construction and monumental cantilevered steel roof was a sharp contrast to the other buildings around it. The Modernist trend continued with the construction of other buildings and monuments typifying the modernist style including
10507-511: The continued pandemic, the City of Toronto government cancelled all city-led and permitted outdoor in-person events through at least September 6, 2021, therefore cancelling the CNE for the second year in a row. The CNE resumed operations in 2022. The re-opening on August 19, 2022, was made possible due to funding received from both the Government of Canada ($ 7.1 million) and the Province of Ontario ($ 1.6 million). The financial assistance facilitated
10640-543: The culture of Toronto. In the fall, the Coliseum hosts the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair . The buildings on the site date from the 1700s to recent years. Five buildings on the site (the Fire Hall/Police Station, Government Building , Horticulture Building , Music Building and Press Building), were designated a National Historic Site of Canada in 1988. The grounds have seen a mix of protection for heritage buildings along with new development. The site
10773-497: The existing Coliseum and Industry Buildings (also known as the Agricultural Annex), creating a large inter-connected exhibition complex. The existing southern entrance of the Coliseum was demolished and integrated into the new complex. The streetcar loop was moved to the north of the complex. The open space was previously the site of the Engineering and Electrical Building, opened in 1928 and torn down in 1972. In 2005,
10906-668: The fair. Afterwards, Toronto City Council and the local Exhibition Committee approached the Provincial Agriculture Association with a proposition: that the fair remain permanently in Toronto. The Association thanked City Council and the Exhibition Committee for their work in delivering a successful fair in 1878 but informed them that a decision had already been made to move the fair to another city in 1879. Toronto City Council , along with local businessmen, moved ahead with plans to establish
11039-535: The fair. The exhibit space was replaced by the new Enercare Centre. In 2003, the CNE celebrated its 125th anniversary, despite the first four days of the exhibition being hampered by the Northeast blackout of 2003 . In 2005, the CNE introduced a Mardi Gras parade. In 2010, the CNE received EcoLogo Certification, making it the 'greenest' fair in North America. In the 2010s, the CNE added entertainment at
11172-665: The fair. The fair is not affiliated with the Government of Canada ; however, the federal government has often had exhibits at the CNE and has had its own pavilion. Several buildings house exhibits and displays from vendors, government agencies and various industry associations. These include the International Pavilion of products from around the world, and the Arts, Crafts and Hobbies Building which features unique items and collectibles. The Enercare Centre complex holds
11305-521: The following sectors: Municipal, Manufacturers and Industry, Agriculture, and General and Liberal Arts. Member associations appoint a representative to the CNEA and approximately 15 members are appointed directly by the CNEA from the community-at-large. Each year a Board of Directors is elected from this membership, giving equal representation to each section. Six representatives of the Municipal section are appointed by Toronto City Council. In March 2022,
11438-428: The government of Ontario. The site also has a long history of sports facilities on the site, starting with an equestrian track and grandstand. The grandstand eventually was converted for use by music concerts, major league baseball and football teams. The newest sports facility to be built is the soccer -specific stadium, BMO Field . There is also an arena, the Coliseum , home to professional ice hockey . The site
11571-489: The grandstand was demolished, open-air concerts during the CNE have been held at the Bandshell. The Blue Jays and Argos left the open-air Exhibition Stadium for the retractable roofed Skydome (now, the Rogers Centre) in 1989. By that time it was recognized that the building was beginning to visibly decay, and was little used in its final decade of existence. Though it was the earliest of the modernist-style buildings on
11704-515: The ground for outdoor entertainment. These include such things as beer gardens, musical acts, acrobatic acts, buskers, parkour displays, circus acts, children's shows and educational displays. The CNE grounds is also home to BMO Field , a large multi-purpose facility located in the center of the grounds. The stadium is used by two professional sports teams based in Toronto, the Toronto Argonauts Canadian football team and
11837-539: The grounds, it was the only one not to become a historically listed building. It was finally demolished in 1999. In 2007, the open-air BMO Field soccer-specific stadium was constructed on the site of the former Exhibition Stadium and the Canada Sports Hall of Fame buildings. The Hall of Fame building had been vacated by the Hockey Hall of Fame and was demolished to make way for the stadium. The stadium
11970-461: The grounds, virtually every CNE building, large or small, was used by the Canadian armed forces. The CNE grounds remained closed and under the control of the Canadian military until 1946. Between 1945 and 1946, Exhibition Park was a demobilization centre for returning troops at the end of the war before closing on June 1, 1946. The CNE resumed in 1947 without the Grandstand. Patrons returned to
12103-580: The hall for exhibit space. The City of Toronto uses various rooms for public meetings. It has also been a staple in hosting major volleyball events, such as 2019 Volleyball Canada Nationals and the 2023 Ontario Volleyball Championships. Exhibition Place Exhibition Place is a publicly owned mixed-use district in Toronto , Ontario , Canada, located by the shoreline of Lake Ontario , just west of downtown . The 197-acre (80 ha) site includes exhibit, trade, and banquet centres, theatre and music buildings, monuments, parkland, sports facilities, and
12236-561: The home base for the Toronto Argonauts football team, and later, to the Toronto Blue Jays baseball team. Architect Bill Sanford designed the alterations for baseball in 1976. A stock car race held on the grounds marked a historical race; on July 18, 1958, Richard Petty made his NASCAR Grand National Series debut at Exhibition Stadium. In addition to sports, CNE Grandstand was the stage for many entertainers over
12369-611: The interest of the CNEA and its visitors, as experts within the fair business." As an independent organization, the CNEA will be able to retain its profits and re-invest in the fair. "'This is an extraordinary opportunity for the Canadian National Exhibition,' stated Brian Ashton, President of the Canadian National Exhibition Association (CNEA). 'We believe that as an independent business we can flourish and present an annual fair that will make Toronto and Canada proud!'" " Toronto City Council will be asked for approval of this new agreement at their March 5–6, 2012 meeting." The new agreement
12502-704: The introduction of new innovative programming featuring immersive heritage exhibits, enhancements to the Gaming Garage powered by AMD, a reoccurring nightly drone show and a multimedia show called "NEVAEH & the Northstar", both presented by VinFast. The 2023 CNE surpassed the 2015 attendance with 1,604,000 visitors passing through its gates. Attractions included the Fountain Show and the Canadian International Air Show on
12635-484: The introduction of the CNE Innovation Garage in partnership with Ryerson University , featuring a pitch competition for young inventors and displays of new inventions and projects such as ZooShare biogas. The former baseball diamond at the very west of the site was replaced by a Toronto Raptors basketball practice facility. Baseball was moved outside of the site. The Dufferin Gate is no longer used as
12768-426: The lake and the city, inside 36-climate controlled gondolas that held four to six guests per gondola. A 2017 Economic Impact Assessment, conducted by Enigma Research Corporation, reports that the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) generates an estimated CA$ 93.1 million for Greater Toronto Area and more than $ 128.3 million for the province of Ontario each year. A 2009 study by the same corporation showed that
12901-712: The land and its facilities were turned over to the Department of National Defence as a training ground. The Graphic Arts Building housed Red Cross facilities, the Coliseum became the RCAF Manning Depot, the Horse Palace was used for barracks and the Automotive Building became the shore facility HMCS York for the Royal Canadian Navy. After World War II, the buildings were used as a demobilization centre. The CNE would resume again in 1947, as
13034-409: The latest models of various consumer goods, ranging from vacuum cleaners to kitchen appliances. The building's stark modernist architecture, made up of large white forms, a vast flat roof and harsh angles, suited its futurist themes. The building was designed by architects Marani, Morris and Allan and was opened by Toronto mayor Nathan Phillips on August 17, 1962. It was built on the former site of
13167-533: The location was closer downtown or had better transit access and parking. When the City of Toronto was considering the construction of a permanent casino, the CNE was the site of several proposals. The aquarium was built next to the CN tower and the City chose not to build a permanent casino. Two new buildings have been added at Exhibition Place. In the north-west corner, the Toronto Raptors basketball team built
13300-404: The main entrance to the Coliseum. The entrance is mostly glass and has a canopy extending to the west, where a canopy extends to the north, between the Horse Palace and the Coliseum, providing cover to those persons arriving from the TTC loop to the north. The original southern exteriors of the Coliseum and Industry Building, dating back to the 1920s, are preserved inside the hall. The Heritage Court
13433-609: The midway. During the Second World War, as during the First World War, the CNE grounds became home to detachments of the Canadian military. In 1939, the Royal Canadian Air Force moved into the Coliseum. The Canadian Army took over the Horse Palace and the Royal Canadian Navy converted the Automotive Building into HMCS York. During the summers of 1940 and 1941, most of the troops stationed at
13566-653: The new OVO Athletic Centre (originally known as the Biosteel Centre) was completed in 2016 at the west end of Exhibition Place on parking lot lands. The facility is a practice facility for the Toronto Raptors National Basketball Association team. It has two basketball courts. The facility displaced some parkland, including a baseball diamond on the site used for a CNE tournament. One of the Modernist buildings on
13699-625: The only building dating to the 1879 inaugural exhibition. There are two large fountains; the Princess Margaret Fountain and the Shrine Monument Fountain south of the Bandshell. To the west of Bandshell park, the former International Building site is now a parking lot, and there is a parking lot in the north-west corner of the site. The central block contains more recent 1950-1960s buildings, which are all replacements for earlier buildings, and are larger than
13832-478: The original 1913 music bandstand was built on the site of the original in the park north of the Horticulture Building. North of the park a new structure designed to resemble the 1870s-era exhibition buildings was added. The buildings host mostly children's activities during the CNE. The park was renamed Centennial Square and is also used for corporate picnics. In 1986, the streets were turned into
13965-424: The other half is the "Farm, Food and Fun" pavilion during the CNE. The building is used at other times of the year for special events. It hosts an indoor amusement park during March Break and a Hallowe'en exhibit "Screamers" during the month of October. The Enercare Centre (1997), along Princes' Boulevard, has seven exhibit halls with 1,000,000 square feet (93,000 m ) of space. The new building, first known as
14098-481: The other. The CNE continues its tradition of agricultural produce competitions and the winners are displayed in the Better Living Centre. The 1794 " Scadding Cabin " log cabin dates back to the first year of the fair, when it was moved here from its original location. The cabin was the residence of an early Upper Canada colonist John Scadding . The cabin is only open to the public during the CNE. The fair has two midways of rides and carnival games. The Kiddie Midway
14231-402: The province of Ontario each year. The CNE hires approximately 1,200 people starting in the spring of each year to assist in the planning and production of the annual fair. An additional 3,500 people are hired during the fair itself by CNE partners including Emergency Services, Toronto Police, Toronto Fire, food vendors, exhibitors and concessionaires. For many young people growing up in Toronto,
14364-606: The remaining four stone buildings were demolished for parking, leaving only the Officers' Quarters. In 1955, the Quarters found its first CNE use, for Sports Hall of Fame exhibits before being turned into a year-round Maritime Museum in 1959. A new phase of building construction followed, replacing buildings destroyed by fire, demolished for the Gardiner Expressway, or needed expansions. The new buildings, mostly in
14497-612: The reserve in April 1878. The Palace of Industry was moved to a site on the reserve near today's Horticulture Building, reconstructed and expanded. The City sold the King and Shaw site to the Massey Manufacturing Company . The 1878 Provincial Agricultural Fair was held on the grounds. When Ottawa was chosen to host the 1879 fair, Toronto decided to hold its own fair. First called the Toronto Industrial Exhibition, it
14630-540: The shores of Lake Ontario just west of downtown Toronto. The site features several permanent buildings and structures, many of which have been named as significant under the Ontario Heritage Act . There are several outdoor live music venues on-site including the CNE Bandshell . All of the roads are named after the Canadian provinces and territories. The site includes a football and soccer stadium, basketball practice facility, green space, fountains, plazas,
14763-422: The site, the original purpose of the Better Living Centre was to introduce new ranges of consumer goods to the baby boomer generation, making it a "space of encounter between consumer and product". For many people attending the CNE, the building hosted their first encounters with such technologies as colour television , transistor radios or home computers . It also became the place where people would expect to see
14896-700: The south, a new master plan for the Exhibition site was developed in 1971. The 1971 Master Plan was radical, calling for the demolition of many pre-World War II buildings, new Modernist buildings, and a massive central public space with a reflecting pool and fountains on the site of Exhibition Stadium, which was to be relocated. The plan proposed the demolition of the Fire Station, Art Gallery, General Exhibits Building, Railways Building, Government Building, Ontario Government Building, Automotive Building, Transportation Building, Band Shell, Grandstand, Shell Tower and
15029-637: The third Friday of August leading up to and including Labour Day , the first Monday in September. With approximately 1.6 million visitors each year, the CNE is Canada's largest annual community event and one of the top fairs in North America. The exhibition, then known as the Toronto Industrial Exhibition , first took place in 1879, largely to promote agriculture and technology in Toronto and area. Agriculturists, engineers, and scientists exhibited their discoveries and inventions at
15162-582: The waterfront. The Coliseum held an Ice Skating and Acrobatics Show "Time Flies" with Elvis Stojko. The Better Living Centre hosted a Pink Floyd exhibition. The bandshell's entertainment included Dionne Warwick , Jann Arden , Amanda Marshall , Kim Mitchell , Tynomi Banks and Kardinal Offishal . The CNE marked the 130th anniversary of the Ferris Wheel by welcoming the Super Wheel, the first of its kind to appear in Toronto. Fairgoers had views of
15295-569: The west side of the grounds, was loaned to the fair by Mrs. Boulton, who lived in the Grange, and it was bounded on the north by the Caer Howell Pleasure Grounds (in a way a forerunner of the midway). The fair was a success, attracting more than 30,000 visitors. In 1853, the fair moved on to another city and didn't return to Toronto until 1858 when the fair was held at the new Dufferin Street site. In 1878, Toronto again hosted
15428-622: The whole reserve by the 1920s. In the 1950s, the site was expanded south of Lake Shore Boulevard by landfill, and reduced in size on its northern boundary by the construction of the Gardiner Expressway . During the fair, the portion of the site west of Dufferin Street is no longer used. The 18-day event consists of a mix of live entertainment, agricultural displays, exhibits, a large carnival midway with many rides, games and food, casino, sports events and shopping areas. The Canadian International Air Show on Labour Day weekend has been
15561-482: The years. Famous comedians who were featured there included Bob Hope , Victor Borge , and Bill Cosby . Similarly, many well-known musical acts made an appearance at the venue, ranging from Duke Ellington , Guy Lombardo , Benny Goodman , The Beach Boys (appearing there 11 times between 1974 and 1990), The Monkees , Sonny & Cher , to Melissa Etheridge , The Who , Simon & Garfunkel , Sinéad O'Connor , Billy Idol , Nine Inch Nails and Tina Turner . After
15694-632: The years. Most are used for other purposes throughout the year. The west end of the grounds is the original site of exhibitions and the oldest buildings are located here. There are five purpose-built fair buildings designed by architect G. W. Gouinlock: the Horticulture Building, built in 1907; the Government Building, built in 1912; the Music Building, built in 1907; the Administration Building, built in 1905; and
15827-430: Was Old Fort York, which the City committed to preserve. The building campaign saw the building of fifteen permanent buildings designed by architect G. W. Gouinlock from 1903 until 1912, including the surviving Press Building, Horticulture Building, Government Building , Music Building and Fire Hall / Police Station. The new buildings were elaborately designed and set in an attractively landscaped site. The 1903 exhibition
15960-503: Was a success, and it was proposed that future fairs be held in different locations each year. In 1847, the fair was held in Hamilton and thereafter travelled to such cities as Cobourg, Kingston, Niagara, and Brockville. In 1852, the fair returned to the west side of University Avenue (see Grange Park (neighbourhood) ), stretching from a bit north of Dundas Street to a bit south of College Street. It lasted four days. The Horse Park, on
16093-479: Was approved by Toronto City Council and the CNEA officially became independent on April 1, 2013. The CNEA is a non-share capital corporation and a tenant of Exhibition Place, to which it pays rent for the use of the grounds and buildings for the annual fair, as well as fees for operational services. The CNEA is not involved with year-round operations, events or development at Exhibition Place. The CNEA has over 125 member individuals and associations representing each of
16226-518: Was built by French fur traders in 1750–1751 as a trading post on the site of today's grounds. The area was an important portage route for Native Americans , and the French wanted to capture their trade before they reached British posts to the south. It was burned by its garrison in 1759 after other French posts fell to the British on Lake Ontario. When the Town of York , the predecessor of Toronto,
16359-602: Was built to host Toronto FC , the Major League Soccer (MLS) team as well as the Canadian national soccer team . Capacity is approximately 31,000 people. It opened on April 28, 2007, the start of the 2007 MLS season. Under the FIFA-sanctioned name "National Soccer Stadium", it was the center-piece venue for the 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup . It was expanded for the 2015 season and had a new roof installed for
16492-405: Was demolished and not replaced, the site left vacant and has since used mostly as a parking lot. The 1971 plan was abandoned after Exhibition Stadium was redeveloped and enlarged to host Major League Baseball in 1977. The site officially became Exhibition Place, partly in recognition that very little of the site was retained as parklands. In 1978, to celebrate the centenary of the fair, a copy of
16625-478: Was held in the Crystal Palace and temporary buildings. At first, the eastern part of the site was still reserved for military purposes, the exhibition held on the western part of the reserve, where many of the oldest exhibit buildings are located. As time went by, more and more of the reserve was taken over for exhibition purposes, including a horse track and grandstand, and exhibit buildings. In 1902, after
16758-512: Was inaugurated in the 1790s, the land to the east and west of the garrison (later Fort York ) was reserved for military purposes. This includes all of today's Exhibition Place. Years later, the British military decided to replace Fort York with New Fort York (later the Stanley Barracks), to be located to the west of the existing fort. To finance this, the military sold the eastern half of the reserve. In 1840–1841, they constructed
16891-427: Was originally set aside for military purposes and gradually given over to exhibition purposes. One military building remains. Exhibition Place is a rectangular site located length-wise along the north shoreline of Lake Ontario to the west of downtown Toronto. The site is mostly flat ground sloping down gently to the shoreline. It was originally forested land, and was cleared for military use. Sections east and south of
17024-639: Was rebuilt and expanded to provide a home for professional ice hockey. It is currently the home of the Toronto Marlies team from October to April each year. The trend to utilize the grounds year-round to cover the grounds' expense, continued with the rental of the Arts & Crafts Building to the Medieval Times theatre company, the Ontario Government Building was rented to become event space known as "Liberty Grand", and
17157-534: Was recently expanded, and adapted to allow it to host the Canadian Football League 's Toronto Argonauts . In July 2015, Exhibition Place was the site of sporting venues for the 2015 Pan American Games. The collection of sites was referred to as "CIBC Pan Am Park" and each building was given a venue name. The Enercare Centre and Coliseum buildings were used for indoor sports, temporary facilities for beach volleyball were built south of BMO Field and
17290-562: Was the first known as the Canadian National Exhibition. The five remaining buildings were declared a historic site in 1988. Several of the older buildings were lost to fire during this time, including the first Grandstand and the Crystal Palace (known as the Transportation Building) in 1906. In 1910, the Dufferin Gates was replaced with a more elaborate arch and out-buildings on each side. During World War I ,
17423-414: Was the first of what would prove to be several Modernist buildings built on the CNE grounds, its distinctive and bold cantilevered truss roof dominating the grounds for over 50 years. It initially housed 22,000 people, but was expanded over the years to a maximum of 54,000 in order to accommodate the additional seating required for major professional sports teams who made CNE Grandstand their home. It became
17556-466: Was used for several sports venues of the 2015 Pan American Games . The site is administered by the Board of Governors of Exhibition Place, appointed by the City of Toronto . As of 2014, the organization had 133 full-time employees, up to 700 during major events, contributed CA$ 11 million annually to the City of Toronto, and attracted 5.3 million visitors annually to the site. The grounds are 192 acres (78 ha) in area. The small fort Fort Rouillé
17689-416: Was vacant until 2007, when the new BMO Field soccer stadium, a public-private partnership, was built on the site to bring Major League Soccer to Toronto. The new soccer stadium also meant the end of the Hall of Fame building. The Hockey Hall of Fame had vacated earlier for downtown Toronto. A portion of the Hall of Fame façade was retained as one of the entrances to the new stadium. As a demonstration project,
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