The federal government will reportedly contribute $20 million to help Loblaws and Ryerson University develop Maple Leaf Gardens as a joint student athletic centre and supermarket.  The total cost of the projected plan is $60 million, one-third of which will be absorbed by students, who agreed to an increase in annual fees for a new athletic centre.

An official announcement is expected to be made on Tuesday at Ryerson.

Loblaws will be located on the main floor, with the top two floors reserved for athletic facilities like a hockey rink and volleyball and basketball courts.

Loblaws bought the Gardens in 2004 after winning a bidding war with Home Depot, and immediately faced negative reactions from fans who thought the hockey shrine was ill-suited to become a grocery store.  After running into financial problems, they teamed up with Ryerson. 

Maple Leaf Gardens Timeline:

Location: Carlton near Yonge
Built: 1931
Cost: $1.5 million
Property originally owned by :Eaton's 

June 1, 1931: Construction begins

November 12, 1931: Gardens opens just five months after construction started, an incredibly fast turnover.

Nov. 12, 1931: First Leaf game ever played at M.L.G. Leafs vs. Chicago Blackhawks. Leafs lose 2-1. Opening night attendance: 13,542.

April 9, 1932: Leafs win Stanley Cup in first year at their new home, downing the New York Rangers 6-4 in final game. 

Feb. 7, 1976: Darryl Sittler sets NHL record with 10 points in a single game, in an 11-4 Leafs win over the Bruins.

Nov. 19, 1931: First wrestling match held.

Sept. 19, 1932: First world title boxing match fought in Gardens, when Panama Al Brown knocked out Emile Pladner in the first round.

March 29, 1966: Historic "Battle of Toronto" pits Muhammad Ali against George Chuvalo. Conn Smythe resigns from MLG board of directors over the boxer's stance on the Vietnam War, complaining allowing Ali in was a case of putting "cash ahead of class".

April 2, 1957: First concert ever held by Elvis Presley outside the U.S.

Sept. 7, 1964, August 17, 1965, August 17, 1966: Beatles play Toronto.

December 1982: The Who supposedly play their last concert ever at the Gardens. They'd be back. 

1961: Harold Ballard arrives, beginning a tumultuous tenure that only ends with his death in 1990. Steve Stavro assumes control in the 90s, and starts an equally controversial tenure, before selling out to Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment.

February 13, 1999: Final NHL game ever played at the Gardens. It ended as it started back in 1931, with the Leafs losing 6-2 to the Blackhawks.