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Fri, June 9, 2006
Downsview remains at the ready
Set for crisis if needed: Manager
By IAN ROBERTSON, TORONTO SUN
The old Downsview military base could quickly be turned back into an armed crisis-response staging area if terrorists, war or disasters hit, its manager says.
The defence department (DND) "owns the land and marches soldiers through the site, and we want that to continue," Tony Genco said in an interview.
"We are all serving Her Majesty's needs and when those needs change, it's only right and proper for us to respond," said Genco, head of Parc Downsview Park Inc.
SET UP IN 1999
The Crown corporation was set up to run the 231-hectare site in 1999, five years after the federal government announced the shutdown of Canadian Forces Base Toronto.
Billed as becoming Canada's first "urban park," the $152-million site is to be formally turned over to Downsview Park in December, Genco said in an interview.
Fearing bureaucratic delays in landing troops and fighter jets at Pearson, Toronto Island and Buttonville civilian airports, there has been recent speculation in Toronto political circles about the DND reconsidering its deal to relinquish ownership, a source said.
The Downsview runway was sold to Bombardier Aerospace, which uses it to test its Q-series aircraft. Pilots also land business and vintage airshow planes.
"I've heard nothing about a rethink" of the transfer, Genco said. "There's an understanding in principle."
The status of the old base, which was created as an RCAF station after World War II, "doesn't take away from the park responding to a tragedy," he said.
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WHAT'S WHAT AT DOWNSVIEW
Bounded by Keele St. to the west, Sheppard Ave. to the north Allen Rd. to the east and Wilson Ave. to the south, Downsview Park has buildings covering 15.7 hectares.
Occupants of old military buildings and hangars include an aerospace museum, a provincial driver testing centre, a film studio and a sports complex.
A 10-year, $40 million plan includes parkland, a forest, plus residential and commercial developments.
It was a shame they had to close down the base. I grew up (still live there) living right next to it, and I always remember, as a kid, watching the hueys landing and flying about. Hhhhmmm....maybe that explains my love of militaria, and why I joined the CF. There also was an armoury right down the street from me at the corner of Dufferin St. and Wilson Ave with a Sherman tank out in front. If anyone here is familiar with what I'm talking about , I'd like to know the name of the former armoury and which regiment(s) were stationed there. Sadly, there is just an empty plot of land there now, for over ten years I think. I was just a pup when they removed it .
Downsview remains at the ready
Set for crisis if needed: Manager
By IAN ROBERTSON, TORONTO SUN
The old Downsview military base could quickly be turned back into an armed crisis-response staging area if terrorists, war or disasters hit, its manager says.
The defence department (DND) "owns the land and marches soldiers through the site, and we want that to continue," Tony Genco said in an interview.
"We are all serving Her Majesty's needs and when those needs change, it's only right and proper for us to respond," said Genco, head of Parc Downsview Park Inc.
SET UP IN 1999
The Crown corporation was set up to run the 231-hectare site in 1999, five years after the federal government announced the shutdown of Canadian Forces Base Toronto.
Billed as becoming Canada's first "urban park," the $152-million site is to be formally turned over to Downsview Park in December, Genco said in an interview.
Fearing bureaucratic delays in landing troops and fighter jets at Pearson, Toronto Island and Buttonville civilian airports, there has been recent speculation in Toronto political circles about the DND reconsidering its deal to relinquish ownership, a source said.
The Downsview runway was sold to Bombardier Aerospace, which uses it to test its Q-series aircraft. Pilots also land business and vintage airshow planes.
"I've heard nothing about a rethink" of the transfer, Genco said. "There's an understanding in principle."
The status of the old base, which was created as an RCAF station after World War II, "doesn't take away from the park responding to a tragedy," he said.
---
WHAT'S WHAT AT DOWNSVIEW
Bounded by Keele St. to the west, Sheppard Ave. to the north Allen Rd. to the east and Wilson Ave. to the south, Downsview Park has buildings covering 15.7 hectares.
Occupants of old military buildings and hangars include an aerospace museum, a provincial driver testing centre, a film studio and a sports complex.
A 10-year, $40 million plan includes parkland, a forest, plus residential and commercial developments.
It was a shame they had to close down the base. I grew up (still live there) living right next to it, and I always remember, as a kid, watching the hueys landing and flying about. Hhhhmmm....maybe that explains my love of militaria, and why I joined the CF. There also was an armoury right down the street from me at the corner of Dufferin St. and Wilson Ave with a Sherman tank out in front. If anyone here is familiar with what I'm talking about , I'd like to know the name of the former armoury and which regiment(s) were stationed there. Sadly, there is just an empty plot of land there now, for over ten years I think. I was just a pup when they removed it .
