Moss Park Armoury
Moss Park Armoury is a Canadian Forces facility located at 130 Queen Street East in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It is at the northeast corner of Jarvis Street and Queen Street East, in the neighbourhood of Moss Park. It currently hosts several units of the Primary Reserve. More than 600 soldiers and reservists train at Moss Park every week.[1]
Moss Park Armoury | |
---|---|
General information | |
Type | Drill Hall / armoury |
Location | Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
Address | 130 Queen Street East |
Current tenants | 25 Field Ambulance; 48th Highlanders of Canada; 7th Toronto Regiment Royal Canadian Artillery; The Queen's Own Rifles of Canada |
Opened | 1965 |
Renovated | 2010 |
Owner | Canadian Forces |
It is located close to the downtown core and financial district, as well as several post-secondary institutions including the University of Toronto, Ryerson University, and George Brown College. The Armoury is within a short walking distance of the Queen subway station. It is also accessible by the 501 Queen and 502 Downtowner streetcar routes. As a prominent military structure in downtown Toronto, it has been the site of a number of anti-war protests.[2]
Moss Park Armoury was constructed in the mid-1960s to house several of the regiments displaced by the demolition of the old Toronto Armories on University Avenue. It cost CA$2.1 million to construct. In the spring and fall of 2010, the armoury was renovated and the facade was replaced.[3]
Lodger Units
In the Canadian Forces, an armoury is a place where a reserve unit trains, meets, and parades. The Armoury is currently home to:
- 25 Field Ambulance
- 48th Highlanders of Canada
- 7th Toronto Regiment Royal Canadian Artillery
- The Queen's Own Rifles of Canada
These units met previously at the Toronto Armories on University Avenue.
Homeless shelter
In December 2017, Toronto City Council and Mayor John Tory rejected a motion to consider using armouries located in the city as homeless shelters.[4][5] However, following several nights of −20 °C (−4 °F) weather, thousands of residents signed petitions asking the Mayor to reconsider the decision. On January 3, 2018, Mayor Tory asked the Government of Canada to allow city staff to use the Moss Park Armoury as a temporary shelter for the homeless.[6] On January 5, 2018, the request was approved by the Government of Canada.[7]
References
- "Moss Park armoury being renovated, not demolished Apr 28, 2010".
- "Canada's Afghan role protested; Thousands take part in anti-war rallies across the country;"Josh Wingrove. Toronto Star. Oct 29, 2006. pg. A.2
- "Moss Park armoury being renovated, not demolished Apr 28, 2010".
- Rider, David (December 6, 2017). "Council votes for new shelter beds, refuses to open armouries to the homeless". Toronto Star.
- "2018 Shelter Infrastructure Plan and Progress Report". toronto.ca. December 5, 2017.
- Loriggio, Paola; McQuigge, Michelle (January 3, 2018). "Toronto looking into opening Moss Park Armoury to shelter homeless". CityNews.
- Beattie, Samantha; Rider, David (2018-01-05). "Deal reached to open Moss Park Armoury to Toronto's homeless". The Toronto Star. ISSN 0319-0781. Retrieved 2018-01-05.