It's the end of the line for a pair of heritage-worthy hangars: The two structures, built in 1943 as part of Toronto's Second World War effort, are being demolished by the Department of National Defence after a last-ditch attempt to save them was kyboshed this week.
Major James DeBruin, the site's base commander, says National Defence did its best to work with those trying to save the 67-year-old structures, which are high-windowed and cavernous, but the proposals brought forward just didn't suit the military's security and financial priorities.
Meanwhile, heritage proponents are pointing to the hangars' doomed fate as yet another sign that Canada needs to re-evaluate its priorities when it comes to preserving the country's vanishing and deteriorating architectural history.
A 2007 auditor-general's report said Canada's policies surrounding heritage structures mean they risk being lost to future generations.
"The protection afforded to federally owned heritage buildings ... is not robust enough," said Natalie Bull, with Heritage Canada. "These are viable buildings with a potential use and a developer interested in recycling them."
National Defence put out a notice in 2007 announcing its intention to raze the site and asking for proposals to cart the two de Havilland hangars off the property entirely. The federal government had identified both as having historical significance in 1992.
There were no takers. Heritage proponents like Ms. Bull say they were none the wiser, and argue two notices in two papers doesn't constitute sufficient consultation.
When Toronto developer Paul Oberman, whose Woodcliffe firm specializes in restoring historical buildings, passed by the Downsview hangars in mid-deconstruction last fall, he was captivated by what he calls "the finest example of aircraft hangars in the GTA."
What followed was months of back-and-forth negotiations. With the demolition put on pause, Mr. Oberman worked with the federally controlled Downsview Park to set up a proposed land swap, in which DND would get 30 acres of parkland in exchange for the 30 acres on which the two hangars sat.
Mr. Oberman had big ideas for that site, including potential for a museum, aviation, commercial or residential space.
But this week those talks ended when DND said, in Downsview Park board chair David Soknacki's words, "Thank you, but no thank you."
There were too many uncertainties surrounding the proposed trade, Maj. DeBruin said: The city was planning to build a subway extension and a road through what's now Downsview Park.
"Too many things were still unsure, and we can't proceed with that level of uncertainty. There's just too much risk to the public purse at that juncture."
Once DND is finished demolition and clearing debris, they'll start construction on a helicopter landing pad and a new building.
Mr. Oberman, while still pining for his hangars, said he hopes experiences like this will teach the country to be more careful with old structures. "It would take heightened awareness of the importance that historic buildings play in our heritage," he said.
