The Canadian Air and Space Museum facing departure from Downsview Park has received a letter of support from its counterpart in the United States.

In a letter dated Oct. 25, the director of the Smithsonian Institution's National Air and Space Museum, J. R. Dailey, told the Canadian museum's chair, Ian A. McDougall, that the heritage of the site merits recognition.

"Many of Canada's accomplishments over the past 85 years have emerged from a single facility in the centre of Metropolitan Toronto, which is currently the home of the Canadian Air and Space Museum," Dailey wrote.

He was referring to the former de Havilland Aircraft Company plant that operated there when Downsview functioned as a working airport.

Built in 1929, he plant played a significant role in building aircraft for the Allied war effort during the Second World War.

"We are very aware of the lasting contribution of the museum and the historic value on the building in which it operates," Dailey wrote.

"We do hope that this heritage will be properly recognized as Canada considers the future evolution of its plans for the area."

The building sits on federal land. The privately-run museum rents the space.

The museum and other neighbouring tenants were told on Sept. 20 they must leave as a new four-rink ice complex is planned for the area. The façade of the plant will be maintained, but everything else is to be demolished.

Roger Cohen, CEO of the museum, said the park, a federal agency, knew two years ago that the ice rink would be coming to the site at 65 Carl Hall Rd. He never told the museum.

Of Dailey's letter, he said it proves "that there is huge historical significance for this area and this building."

The museum needs to be incorporated into the mandate of the park, Cohen said.

"As a Canadian, I just don't get it," he said of the park's wish to see the museum gone.

Toronto's City Council passed a motion in late September urging the federal government to keep the museum on the Downsview lands. Cohen said the museum will be effectively shuttered as of Dec. 21.

The agency has submitted longterm development proposals that would see new neighbourhoods spring up on some of the park's 231.5 hectares, including the museum site.