Stretch of Bremner Blvd. renamed ‘Raptors Way’ to commemorate championship

Thestar.com
June 20, 2019
David Rider

The road to Toronto’s 2019 NBA glory now leads to “Raptors Way” outside Scotiabank Arena.

City council voted Wednesday, by a slam-dunk score of 23-0, to commemorate the basketball team’s championship win by ceremonially renaming Bremner Blvd. between York St. and Lake Shore Blvd. W.

The “Raptors Way” vote made official an honour that Mayor John Tory announced Monday, to a roar of approval from the massive crowd at the team’s victory celebration outside city hall. The street is in the “Jurassic Park” outdoor game-viewing area where fans thronged through the playoff run.

Tory told councillors that officials at team owner Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment “were thrilled when we phoned them to formally ask them if this would be OK,” including use of the Raptors’ logo on the signs.

The mayor said the honour could pose some “political difficulties” for MLSE, which also owns the Toronto Maple Leafs who play at the same arena. “They’re prepared to deal with that problem when it comes up in 2020,” with a Leafs Stanley Cup win, Tory added with a chuckle.

The city staff report about the renaming states: “This historic playoff run galvanized and united not only Toronto, but all of Canada, bringing together fans from coast to coast to coast.

“The victory itself and the events surrounding it will inspire Torontonians, especially young people, for years to come ... This will recognize this first historic championship and show the city’s sincere appreciation to the team.”

Bremner Blvd. is named after Ray Bremner, a longtime public works commissioner who died in 2004.

The Raptors’ honour comes 26 years after council renamed part of Peter St. -- named after an 18th-century city official who drafted plans for pre-Toronto York -- “Blue Jays Way” to commemorate the baseball team’s 1993 World Series win.

That honour was met with less than unanimous support, with one councillor panning a tribute to “a bunch of millionaire ballplayers” and another grumbling that “to name a street ‘way’ is very west coast."