Item - 2025.EP15.3

The Board of Governors of Exhibition Place:

1.  Designated the events held from May to September at Exhibition Place listed in Attachment 1 to the report (January 21, 2025) from the Chief Executive Officer, Exhibition Place as Municipally Significant, in order to apply for a temporary extension of operating hours to sell alcohol at licensed tenanted locations.

2. Requested the Chief Executive Officer, Exhibition Place to report annually to the Board on the Nighttime Economy - Municipally Significant Designation.

This report responds to the Board recommendation from report EP9.10 adopted at its meeting of April 25, 2024, where the Board directed staff to provide a letter of support to tenants and event organizers at Exhibition Place for events held between May 1 and September 30, 2024, to be considered as Municipally Significant to apply for a Special Occasion Permit or a temporary extension of premises and/or hours for the sale of alcohol at permanently licensed locations on a trial basis, and that staff report back to the Board with an update on the pilot. 

Exhibition Place is Canada’s most extensive entertainment venue, hosting more than 1,761 events and attracting more than 5.5 million visitors annually. This iconic entertainment, music, and events site is pivotal in Toronto’s cultural and economic fabric, generating over $594 million in annual economic impact. The grounds, with their multiple venues for sports teams, entertainment, music, and cultural events, are ideally situated to support the nighttime economy.

The 2024 trial was well received and there were no complaints. Staff recommend the continuation of the program in 2025 and on, thereon on an annual basis.