The story of Martin Ross, a Unionville resident who built a backyard hockey rink, has dominated headlines in Markham, not just in 2024, but over the past four years, as he fought a prolonged legal battle with the city.
Now, the dispute appears to have reached its conclusion: Ross has agreed to demolish the rink as part of a settlement with the City of Markham.
The saga began during the COVID-19 lockdown when Ross constructed the rink for his children. What started as a modest setup soon transformed into a full-scale facility, complete with chillers, hockey boards, and a concrete sports pad.
However, its location on a heritage-designated property sparked complaints from neighbours about tree removal, unauthorized modifications, and noise, putting Ross in the city’s crosshairs.
Ross admitted he did not obtain the necessary permits for construction, leading to multiple fines and legal challenges.
In 2021, a court order mandated the removal of the rink. Ross appealed but the Ontario Superior Court upheld this order in 2022, citing violations of the property’s heritage easement agreement, which prohibits unapproved alterations and tree removal.
By October 2024, the city issued an ultimatum, demanding compliance or enforcement of the court judgment. In November, Ross said he felt “forced” to sign an agreement, fearing immediate action by the city.
Under the agreement, Ross must remove the rink, its supporting equipment, and a rear-yard cabana, and restore the property to its pre-2021 condition. The work, which has already begun, is to be completed by spring 2025, with the city retaining inspection rights throughout the process.
Ross expressed frustration with the settlement, saying he had no choice but to comply. He also shared the emotional toll on his family, revealing that his daughter has been experiencing anxiety related to the conflict. “They (the city) just will not stop,” he said.
In a statement, the city confirmed the agreement but refrained from framing it as a victory.
“The City of Markham and property owner of 233 Main St., Unionville, have reached an agreement to restore the property to pre-2021 conditions,” stated Pody Lui, communications and engagement specialist.
The case highlights the balance between personal projects and municipal regulations. As Justice S.E. Fraser stated in a 2022 ruling, the heritage easement agreement’s purpose is to preserve the “historical, architectural, contextual, esthetic, scenic, and heritage characteristics” of the property.
Although the rink has come down, whether this marks a victory for the city, a defence of the rules, or a compromise to move forward is a question that remains open for interpretation.
Scarlett Liu is a federally funded Local Journalism Initiative reporter at Markham Economist & Sun
