Our close neighbour, Chris Glover (MPP Spadina-Fort York), can often be seen gliding along our Skate Trail in the winter. He has become a great champion and a dear friend of The Bentway team. Chris took some time to chat with our Facilities Manager, Michael Clarke, about skating, public space, and a changing neighbourhood.
MC: Chris, tell me about how you ended up living across the street from The Bentway. What was the neighbourhood like when you first moved in?
CG: When I first moved into the Fort York area I had one of the ugliest views in the city. Then I watched an amazing space come to life before my eyes. The Bentway has turned a very cold and unpleasant space into a beautiful welcoming hub that people can use year-round.
MC: And it must have changed so much since then, including changing demographics.
CG: Since we broke ground on the schools in CityPlace in 2019 the number of children in the area has doubled. This has been such a welcome addition and the activities provided by The Bentway have been a real boon to the community, particularly the children.
MC: As someone who is onsite five-days-a-week, I know that you’re an active user of the Skate Trail and are regularly making connections with other local visitors. What does a place like The Bentway mean to you personally, and how do you see it touching the lives of the constituents you represent?
CG: The majority of people who live in Spadina-Fort York live in high rises. The Bentway skate trail provides an opportunity for condo dwellers to get outdoors and socialize with their community. It gives people a chance to get some fresh air and exercise in a very unique space.
MC: Often visitors are also new to Canada, sometimes enjoying winter activities like ice skating for the first time. In your experience, what do you think is so special about skating as a seminal experience of Canadiana?
CG: Every year I hold an event called “Skate with Chris” and I see many people who are new to Canada join me for this event. It is often the first time they have been on skates. One of the best things about Canada is there are so many ways to go out and enjoy the winter. The highlight for me is watching people arriving with brand new skates in boxes trying it out for the first time.
MC: When we opened our Phase 1 site back in 2018, it seemed to signal the start of something – a mindset shift, maybe, about how Toronto can think of old infrastructure in new ways. What do you think communities everywhere can learn from The Bentway story?
CG: Ken Greenberg had the vision to see the potential of the derelict space under the Gardiner. The Bentway is such a gorgeous space and has become almost cathedral-like. When underneath the Gardiner, you don’t hear the noise, and it also provides protection from the sun and rain. An eyesore has now become a beloved public space. There is so much more potential yet to be discovered in the city.
MC: This is one of our favourite prompts: tell us about a special Bentway memory or moment.
CG: One of my favourite memories was watching a couple skating together. The female was very experienced and was pirouetting. Meanwhile, her partner could barely stay upright and doing his best to preserve his dignity. Whatever your level of expertise, gliding on the ice is the closest you can come to flying without an airplane.
MC: And tell us about a time when we surprised you, or did something you never dreamed could happen under a highway.
CG: The Museum of the Moon installation was just spectacular. People walking by would just stop and stare at it. An image we have seen all our lives became captivating because we were able to experience a gorgeous 3D version of it up close.
MC: Our Winter 2025-26 season is fast approaching, and we’re excited to welcome new skaters to our site. If people haven’t yet taken a spin around the trail, what would you tell them that they might not know about the experience of skating under the Gardiner?
CG: It’s a great way to meet people! Many who are new to the country may be afraid of winter and this shows that winter can be wonderful and something to embrace. Tell people to tell their friends to get out there!
MC: Thanks Chris, see you on the ice soon!
