Preserving Canada’s Hockey Hall of Fame

Preserving Canada’s Hockey Hall of Fame. During our 40^th Anniversary year, it’s fun to look back on some of our favourite projects. And as hockey fever grips the country during this 2018 playoff season, CPD Construction Products is proud to recall its work on the Summer 1992 restoration of the Hockey Hall of Fame housed in the historic Bank of Montreal Building in Toronto, Ontario.  Both a museum and a hall of fame, the building houses exhibits about the players, teams, National Hockey League (NHL) records, memorabilia and NHL trophies, including the Stanley Cup.

Designed in 1885 by Darling and Curry Architects, and virtually unchanged since that time, the bank is an important Beaux-Arts style structure at the corner of Yonge and Front Streets. Although historic, the building had suffered much neglect and misuse through the years but astonishingly, was one of but a few in the area to survive Toronto’s Great Fire of 1904.

The Hockey Hall of Fame officially opened on June 18, 1993, however, required extensive work which commenced in 1992. Project architects, Bregman + Hamann Architects of Toronto hired conservation consultant Spencer R. Higgins to oversee the restoration and conservation of this historic building. When the designers and architects were searching for solutions for stabilizing the old sandstone façade, it was noted that the carvings were some of the finest examples ever seen on a building of its vintage.  The plan was to preserve as much as possible of the carving while securing and rebuilding those sections that had deteriorated with time.

Higgins opted to clean atmospheric staining from the Ohio sandstone and CPD recommended Sure Klean Restoration Cleaner, a Prosoco product available from CPD Construction Products.  Prosoco is a national manufacturer of products for cleaning, protecting and maintaining concrete. Exterior work included specialized masonry conservation, a new insulated built-up roof assembly, extensive sheet lead weatherings and lead-coated flashings.

Examination revealed that areas shielded from water and exposure to pigeons had weathered well.  However, some of the most exposed areas near the roof line required consolidation and CPD recommended Conservare OH Consolidation Treatment, a Prosoco product available from CPD Construction Products. Heather & Little Roofers Limited placed 8 lb lead flashings over all ledges and decorative areas to protect the delicate carvings and stone from future water intrusion.

“Every piece of stone is original except the half-dozen pieces that were beyond repair.” commented Higgins.

Widely considered to be the world’s pre-eminent sport’s museum, the Hall houses over 60,000 square feet of exhibitory space, a 4,000 square foot specialty store and an off-site, museum-standard 18,000 square foot archives and research centre.

CPD is proud to be listed amongst the experts brought in to assist in preserving this venerable old building and creating a truly beautiful monument to Canada’s national game and a fitting home for its hockey treasures.