|
TORONTO FILM STUDIOS UNVEILS PLANS
FOR NEW $250 MILLION FILM/MEDIA COMPLEX
Plan includes
45,000 sq. ft. Mega-Stage for blockbuster productions and is good news for
estimated 25,000 film industry workers
Having emerged as the winner of an intense bidding
process, Toronto Film Studios Inc. (TFS) is now embarking on building a
major new Film/Media Complex on a 30-acre site located on the north side of
the Shipping Channel, just east of Cherry Street in the City's Port Lands.
Representatives of TFS and the Toronto Economic Development Corporation (TEDCO)
unveiled plans for the site, with municipal and provincial government and
film industry spokespeople also in attendance.
The proposal calls for a vibrant new Film-Media Complex to be created on
lands leased for a long term from TEDCO-- a catalyst that will revitalize
the under-utilized Port Lands and see the area transformed into an
international centre for creativity and innovation for film, media, arts and
knowledge-based industries.
In total, approximately 1.25 million square feet of buildings will be
created on the site, with an estimated value of $250 million.
"The Toronto Film/Media complex will be a huge boost for the industry which
has been in serious decline over the last few years, and is still suffering
from the after-effects of the SARS crisis," says Jeffrey Steiner, President
and CEO of TEDCO.
"The creation of this modern, moviemaking complex will allow the Toronto
film industry to fully concentrate its resources and greatly strengthen the
City's presence in the international film market. It will also get us back
to being the number one film and television production centre in the
country."
"In the year 2000, film and TV production in Ontario was a $1 billion dollar
business. But that business has declined steadily over the last few years so
that in 2003 only $874 million was spent here on domestic and foreign
productions."
"Compare that to Vancouver which last year led with $1.4 billion in business
and you'll see why Toronto lost its "leader" status in the list of Canadian
film production centres. We are confident that the new Toronto Film/Media
Complex will restore our City's top ranking in Canada and make us a major
player in the world once again."
That is especially good news for the estimated 25,000 workers in the local
film industry, many of whom currently work only part time or sporadically.
With the creation of the Film/Media Complex, they will work full time or
close to it.
"When fully built over its five-year development, the Toronto Film/Media
Complex will encompass more than 750,000 sq. ft. of professional studio
facilities," says Ken Ferguson, President of TFS. "One third of that space
will be devoted to 13 high-quality sound stages averaging 15,000 to 18,000
sq. ft. That includes the 45,000 sq. ft. Mega-Stage, one of the world's
largest purpose-built stages, which will attract blockbuster productions
that might otherwise have passed by Toronto."
"In addition, more than 500,000 sq. ft. of commercial and retail space will
also be built surrounding the lot, including prestige offices for film/media
tenants, unions and guild offices; live-work spaces; a hotel and conference
facilities; retails shops and restaurants; a film school; fitness centre and
more."
The private studio lot will also be bordered by inviting public places. They
range from the courtyard entrance of the complex off the Don Roadway to the
plazas and boardwalk promenade along the shipping channel. Here a special
water feature will allow underwater filming while "streetscape sets" will be
used for other exterior shots. These spaces will all be easily accessible by
pedestrians, and allow both Torontonians and tourists to witness the
excitement of filmmaking firsthand.
Construction will begin in 2005 on Phase I, including the Mega-Stage and
first five studios. Completion is scheduled for 2006 and the balance of the
complex will be built in continuing phases over several years.
"Although Toronto Film Studios will be the anchor tenant of the Complex,"
continues Ferguson, "we look forward to welcoming to the neighbourhood our
peers and associates in the film and broadcast industries. It is they, along
with other communications, publishing and arts companies, who will turn this
film/media complex into a true 'village'…and make it a vital new addition to
the life of the City."
|
