FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

THE BENTWAY AND CBC SPORTS PARTNER TO GIVE MORE DATES TO SKATE THE EIGHT!

An exciting new partnership with CBC Sports in support of their coverage of the World Championships will extend The Bentway Skate Trail season to March 22, 2020

February 12, 2020 - [Toronto, ON] - The Bentway, the innovative public space project beneath Toronto’s Gardiner Expressway, today announced it is extending its Winter 2020 programming with the help of CBC Sports. Instead of closing on February 17 as planned, the new partnership will allow the site’s beloved 220-metre figure-eight shaped skate trail to remain open from February 18 to March 22, 2020.

In celebration of the upcoming World Figure Skating Championships in Montreal, taking place March 16 - 22, 2020, CBC Sports is bringing their exclusive coverage of the event to The Bentway while extending the season for all to enjoy. The outdoor skate trail will stay open with extended hours through March Break, until the conclusion of the Championships on Sunday, March 22. In addition to a musical playlist presented by CBC Music during skate hours, visitors can enjoy a number of figure skating-related activities, including:

● Public Meet and Greet (February 22): Join popular figure skaters, including four-time world champion and Canadian ice dancer Asher Hill, for a special Q&A, followed by a public skate. ● Public Viewing Events (March 18 - 22): Watch the World Figure Skating Championships unfold while you skate, with complete competition coverage from CBCSports.ca - you might even be inspired to try a twirl of your own (safely, of course!). For the complete schedule, click here.

“Through this new partnership with CBC Sports, we’re able to offer even more recreational outdoor experiences at The Bentway this winter,” says David Carey, Co-Executive Director at The Bentway. “Our skate trail is more than just another skating rink, it’s an opportunity to get closer to the city, and to each other. And now, it’s a go-to destination to revel in the joy that is figure skating.”

“Our unique collaboration with The Bentway allows us to bring the excitement of the World Figure Skating Championships to the Toronto community, including local fans and visitors of all ages,” said Chris Wilson, Executive Director, Sports and Olympics, CBC. “It’s a special occasion to have this world-class event in our home country, and we’re proud to offer skating fans the opportunity to not only experience the event, but also participate in a beloved Canadian winter sport that brings people together for a healthy and fun activity.”

For more details on the extended Winter 2020 skate season, visit thebentway.ca.

For more details on CBC’s coverage of the World Figure Skating Championships, visit cbcsports.ca/figureskating. Follow CBC Sports on social media at: Facebook: /CBCSports Twitter: @cbcsports Instagram: cbc.sports

The Bentway is supported by the City of Toronto, Maxine Granovsky Gluskin & Ira Gluskin, Richard M. Ivey, Frances & Tim Price, Rosamond Ivey, Mazyar Mortazavi & Bita Doagoo, Howard Sokolowski & Linda Frum, Donald K. Johnson O.C. & Anna McCowan-Johnson, DiamondCorp, and a growing family of supporters.

The Bentway Winter 2019/20 Season is supported by CBC Sports, Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, Corona, Quaker®, and Vaseline.

Social Media: Facebook, Twitter and Instagram using @TheBentway and YouTube #TOBentway Access to The Bentway is Always Free | Enjoy WiFi Courtesy of Beanfield

About The Bentway The Bentway is a unique and innovative public space that transforms 1.75km underneath Toronto’s Gardiner Expressway into a new gathering place for our city’s growing population.

The Bentway knits together seven local neighbourhoods with over 77,000 residents, becoming a gateway to the waterfront, while providing access to important attractions and destinations – from Fort York National Historic Site, Place and Exhibition Place to Harbourfront Centre and the CN Tower. The Bentway offers year-round activities and events, including gardens, a skate trail, recreational amenities, public markets, public art, special exhibitions, festivals, theatre and musical performances, and more. Since opening in 2018, The Bentway has welcomed over 250,000 visitors to experience free year-round programming including public art installations, performances, festivals, recreational activities, and much more. The initial phase of The Bentway stretches from Strachan Avenue in the west to just east of Bathurst Street underneath the Gardiner Expressway, this section of The Bentway is located on the lands of Fort York National Historic Site, recognized by the Government of Canada as a site of national significance. The Bentway is maintained, operated, and programmed by The Bentway Conservancy. The Bentway is a proud member of the High Line Network, an international network of projects that transform underutilized infrastructure into new urban landscapes.

About Fort York National Historic Site Fort York National Historic Site is one of 10 Toronto History Museums operated by the City of Toronto. Since 1793, Fort York has been an important military location and is where Toronto was founded as an urban place. Located in the heart of downtown Toronto, this 43-acre heritage conservation district is home to Canada’s largest collection of original War of 1812 buildings. Fort York offers permanent exhibits and immersive multimedia displays at the Visitor Centre, ongoing programming and events, site tours, military displays, historic cooking demonstrations, and the annual Indigenous Arts Festival. Fort York National Historic Site is also home to the first phase of The Bentway. For more information, visit http://www.toronto.ca/fortyork.

About CBC Sports CBC/Radio-Canada is Canada's Olympic Network through 2024 and Canada's Paralympic Network through 2020. The national public broadcaster is committed to showcasing Canadian and international athletes and sports across all platforms under the CBC Sports and brands, including on television, online at cbcsports.ca and via the CBC Sports app for iOS and Android devices. CBC Sports prides itself on telling the story of the high-performance athlete's journey every step of the way, ensuring Canadians always know the people who represent them before they see them atop the podium. To be filled in

- 30 - For more information, please contact:

Linda Yahya, Craft Public Relations [email protected] 647.205.4081

Joanna Landsberg, publicist, CBC Sports [email protected] 406.205.2983