Landlord Pulls Plug As Museum Falls $100K Behind On Rent

A down economy, lackluster attendance, rapid management turnover, and a failed fundraising campaign are all being named as issues in the struggles of the Canadian Air & Space Museum in Toronto's Downsview Park. Sadly, the museum is $100,000 behind on its rent, and has now been issued an eviction notice. Downsview Park management says the museum will have to clear the space within six months.

The location has deep historic significance in Canadian aviation. The hangar which now houses the museum was built in 1929 for de Havilland Aircraft of Canada Ltd., and the land itself is a 672-acre former military base.

The Toronto Star reports that on Tuesday afternoon, volunteers emptied the building of artifacts, including a full-scale replica of the legendary Avro Arrow fighter jet (photo of museum display by Henry Lo), and prepared to vacate the property after 12 years.

All, that is, except museum CEO Robert Cohen, who tells the Star, “I’m distraught. I’m ready to cry. I can’t leave this place. I’m camping here. They’re gonna have to throw me out.”

Downsview Park has announced a new tenant for the space which is far less unique - another hockey facility, projected to open in September of 2013 with four rinks. Long-time museum volunteer Campbell Young observes there's a hockey rink so close on the street that "you could actually chip a golf ball at it."

FMI: www.casmuseum.org