Maple Leaf Gardens

This hallowed hockey arena was built in an astounding five months during the Great Depression, and was home to the Toronto Maple Leafs for over 50 years. The Leafs lost their first game (and the last at the Gardens in 2009) to the Chicago Blackhawks in 1931, but went on to win 13 Stanley Cups before relocating to the Air Canada Centre in 1999. Over the years, Elvis, Sinatra and the Beatles have all belted out tunes here. The Gardens were bought by grocery chain Loblaws in 2004, but have sat unchanged since. When we visited, renovations were under way (with a $60 million price tag) that will include sports facilities, a Loblaws store and a memorabilia museum. Renovations are planned to be completed by 2011, at which time the building will reopen as the Ryerson University Sports and Recreation Centre at Maple Leaf Gardens. Check www.ryerson.ca.