Post by merangel on Apr 14, 2016 3:35:54 GMT -5
This is the former site of the Eaton. It was torn down to make way for a centralized arena for hockey and performances. At first, the arena was called the True North Centre. Then MTS came along and I guess they thought that name was too cheesy, took up shop on a corner of the 2nd floor for a short while. MTS stuck with their name riding the arena. The MTS Centre opened in Nov. 2004.
In commemoration, there is a huge, obnoxious statue of Timothy Eaton on the 2nd floor. The reason I say obnoxious is he is depicted sitting in a seat with one shoed foot inched out that is more polished than the rest of the bronze, suggesting he wants you to shine his shoe. I'll post a pic.
More interesting is the paranormal claims that stem back when Eaton's was in existence. Older than Union Station and The Fort Garry Hotel, Eaton Centre was built in 1899. It was a rather large building that had many departments and was very similar to The Hudson Bay Company down the street. I imagine the 2 stores were once in heavy competition with one another.
No one is quite sure who the ghosts are or why they were there.
Night staff would claim to see the ghost of a gentlemen and so would those who were boxing up products when clean up began before demolition.
Not sure if anyone has had other claims before, but now that MTS Centre has taken it's place staff have heard disembodied footsteps, objects moving on their own, odd lights, whispering, disembodied voices and an apparition of a woman wearing black.
Much of the arena is closed off to the public. There is a public space that goes from the front where Ticketmaster is and there is a Moxie's Restaurant that is accessible from the front towards the elevators, on the other side of the escalator. The public area extends to the second floor via escalator, elevator or stairs and goes down a wide hall where the Timothy Eaton statue is placed. Then you follow the hall to a set of doors that leads to the skywalks and other stores. Take a left and you're still in the MTS Centre but on the outer interior that is for the public to get to City Place mall.
I have visited this area many times and have experienced anything. Public access areas are open late and it's very possible the phantom voices and footsteps are caused by the living.
If you ever do go there for an event, you should also keep in mind they are using metal detectors.