Mall manager ends rumours mall is closing

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Woodbine Centre mall is not closing.

Despite persistent rumours swirling around its imminent demise, the popular mall on Rexdale Boulevard at Hwy. 27 is, in fact, readying for a facelift.

"It's quite the opposite," Woodbine Centre general manager Peter McCallion said this week of the rumours, noting he too hears them, even among his social circle. "The owner has been meeting in the last couple of months on a redevelopment plan."

Later this year, shoppers can expect to see redesigned washrooms, with "the balance" of investment in the mall's revitalization to follow next year, McCallion said.

Rumours started shortly after Shoppers Drug Mart shut its store in Woodbine, the same week two other Canadian retailers closed their entire national operations, McCallion said.

Ongoing media coverage of WoodbineLive!, a massive $350-million sports and entertainment complex to be built in the next 10 years across the street at Woodbine Racetrack only served to fuel the rumours, McCallion said.

But he acknowledged WoodbineLive! is critical to the future growth of the neighbourhood.

"The area is slowly coming around," he said. "New condos being built will help with development in the area. The project across the street (Woodbine Live!) helps put focus on this quadrant, which has been dormant for a few years."

The 81-hectare upscale entertainment complex slated to be built at Woodbine Racetrack will include a full-service hotel, a live theatre venue, retail stores, outdoor markets, restaurants, a theatre, and a skating park and canal similar to Rockefeller Plaza in New York.

In July, Toronto Council granted a somewhat controversial $120-million tax break over 20 years to WoodbineLive!, described by Mayor David Miller as a project that would "transform" north Etobicoke and northwestern Toronto.

Woodbine Live! is expected to create 9,400 full-time jobs.

The Woodbine Centre is managed by Darton Property, and is not affiliated with WoodbineLive! or Woodbine Racetrack, which is owned and operated by Woodbine Entertainment Group.