‘The Need for a Community Centre for the Humber Bay Shores’ Community Background: Inthe ter 2014 issue of Humber Happenings, residents may recall that the Humber Bay Shores Condominium Association announced that Empire Communities Development had donated their 6000 square foot Presentation Centre to HBSCA. (See picture/copy) Once decommissioned as a sales centre, the building would be re-designed to function as a community centre. Councillor Grimes and then-President Jim Reekie made this announcement in Humber Happenings and further meetings were necessary to work out structural and functional details of making this conversion happen. It was hoped that as a non-profit organization, the building's operational and maintenance costs could be negotiated in the same manner as other non-profit, cty- ‘owned properties are subsidized (e.g. leasing for $1 per annum for an X-term lease), Subsequent to these discussions with Empire Communities and Councillor Grimes, city staff raised a number of concerns that would create obstacles to permanent use of the building by the community; notwithstanding the builder agreeing to a number of structural re-fit modifications (lowering the building onto a new foundation and other interior alterations). City engineering staff appeared to be adamant that future use of Empire’s Presentation Centre as a Humber Bay Community Centre would not be possible without renovation ‘expenditures amounting to over $3.4 milion. Discussions culminated in the Ward 6 Announcement of a Public Information Meeting to be held on February 16, 2016 at the Mimico Centennial Library. (See notice picture) The public consultation meeting was called to discuss the Humber Bay Parks Project as part of a master plan on construction of a parks pavilion or Community facility near the ponds at Humber Bay Park East targeted to open in 2018, Projected cost of this project would be about $7 million. HBSCA in meetings with Councillor Grimes and Empire Communities had hoped to direct funds to the re- Purposed Presentation Centre renovations given that a building opportunity was already available in a central location; albeit with the need for recommended alterations. Funding for the renovations could be, in part from the benefactor, and the City (Section 37 funds). Requisites for Considera The HBSCA has maintained that an accessible and local community centre for its current and future residents was sorely needed. It is expected by 2017 once current condo construction is completed, there will be in excess of 28,000 residents living in 30 plus hi-rise condominiums within a small community footprint des Humber Bay Shores. Lacking is a facility for residents to congregate and conduct town hall meetings or other special interest functions. In looking at principles that would support the need for a community centre, a 2005 Study concluded that the following essential elements should exi Population and Resources support ~ nearly 25,000 residents live on 2.5 km of affronting roadway (Park Lawn and Lake Shore Bivd West) consistent with urban intensification strategy as set out in the Places to Grow Act of2005. This has resulted in nearly 30 condominium complexes; mostly hi-rise buildings providing a substantial tax benefit for infrastructure return. Indeed, many builders have also contributed significant Precinct planning funds and Development Charges for infrastructure needs; this has been passed on to homeowner and business realty purchases. A community image or identity - The “Humber Bay Shores” designation and the 20-year existence of a Humber Bay Shores Condominium Association represents the community's condominium corporations (Association members) and meets regularly. The Association has its own quarterly communiqué; Humber Happenings ‘magazine. We share links with local businesses (a Business Alliance with more than 100 retail offerings), linear Parks (Humber Bay Parks extending east and west), local yacht clubs and other special interest groups (Friends of Humber Bay Parks, Butterfly and wildlife habitat groups, etc.) Attractions - HBSCA operates a seasonal Farmer's Market every Saturday from May until October. We run a full day summer Waterfront Festival. For 20 years we have hosted an annual park clean-up. We are situated on the lake where thousands of residents and visitors enjoy a vibrant board walk and emerging local restaurants. The HBS boardwalk becomes the centre for watching the Labour Day air show and many other waterfront attractions. Central Location availability- Marine Parade drive runs parallel to the waterfront park. Humber Bay Shores connects Mimico to Toronto with the QEW and Lake Shore Blvd network. Traffic and transportation is extremely busy. Ample shared pathways are present. The nearly 170 hectares of parkland is integrated into the lakeside edge of the residential and business community. So what is lacking is a structural faclity or gathering place for community stakeholders (large meetings, police stop, indoor events, and special-interest classes, etc); in essence a formal activity management centre. With ‘many community centres, the municipality provides essential funding assistance in the way of operational subsidies. Additionally, other local non-profit organizations pay the City $1/year for facility use with lease assurance of long-term ‘proprietorship’. Purpose of a Community Centre: A.community Centre is a strategic public location where members of a community gather for group activities, social support, public information or other socio-recreational events. For-example; community celebrations, town hall meetings, voting station and political candidates meeting, volunteer-local club meeting place, police substation stop, weddings, charity events, public relations, art-craft shows, youth adult ~senior programming, educational seminars, yoga or dance programs, drop-in centre, snack bar, washroom availability, community ‘equipment storage, etc. A community centre is not unlike a public park serving the local population’s need for {an educational, recreational and social resource. In the Humber Bay Shores area, there is little need for a community centre to house robust recreational offerings, such as swimming pools, exercise gyms or sports facilities - this would be expensive and almost every condominium already has these amenities available on-site. The Community Centre could be community-owned in partnership with the municipality and operated by a designated community group (volunteer ratepayers, resident-business association). Funding for centres often come from donations or benefactors (builders), Development Charges for infrastructure and Section 37 fundsfor community benefit, event-rental and City funding (or waiving of rent and maintenance costs). In other jurisdictions re-purposed schools, churches or other large facilities are often acquired by the City to subsidize a community centre In the planning rationale over many years that crafted Humber Bay Shores, there can be no dispute that the City, builders and Ontario Municipal Board are the architects of our urban intensification; the good or bad effects of this ‘planning’ thrust upon to our residents and businesses. Consistent with the 2005 ‘Places to Grow Act of Ontario’ customary tax-based services provided in urban sprawl are withdrawn in areas of intense condominium leaving this unique populous to double-down on municipal service fees. This municipal tax gain, as well as taking into account Development Charges and Section 37/45 contributions passed on to buyers, ought to be ceremoniously returned to the community. A subsidized Community Centre would be an appreciated start. Previously Proposed Location of The City’s Pavilion in Humber Bay Park East (HBPE} ‘The HBSCA js not in favour of the HBPE site and would prefer the current Empire Presentation Centre location for use as a Community Centre. The Presentation Centre structure had been ‘gifted’ to the Association in 2014. This building is central and within walking distance to the Condominiums. This site is of modest size, has a small parking lot and is close to larger public parking lots within the Humber Park. If this is site deemed to be Unsuitable as a Community Centre, there are other locations that could be considered as alternatives to the City- Proposed HBPE site; including Humber Bay Park West and the employment-designated Christies’ parcel In consideration of the foregoing, Be It Resolved that: {In conclusion, with the Empire Communities gifting of a multi-million dollar (presentation) centre to the non- profit Humber Bay Shores Condominium Association and the availability of a small park to house such a facility, itis the HBSCA's position that the City commit to funding the renovation/re-positioning and maintenance of the Presentation centre as publicly announced in the winter of 2014. Alternatively, if both the Humber Bay Shores ‘community and municipality find that this is not a viable option, that the needs of the Humber Bay Shores community be identified and accommodated within a HBS Pavilion, through an open process coordinated in collaboration with the municipality and representatives of the Humber Bay Shores community. Both options would result in the establishment of a community centre similar to other community-based centres in Etobicoke! and consistent with the City of Toronto Parks and Facilities Master Plan.— HUMBER BAY SHORES CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION { Your Association is pleased to announce } A NEW COMMUNITY CENTRE FOR THE HBS & MIMICO AREAmT COIN Rake ee mee OLA TAR Call ERED ‘The City of Toronto holds public consultations as one way to engage residents in the lite of their city. Toronto thrives on your great ideas and actions. We invite you to get involved. Humber Bay Parks Project Public Information Meeting 12016, the City of Toronto will begin the planning and dosign of improvements to Humber Bay Park East and West, starting with the Humber Bay Parks Master Plan and the construction of the parks’ pavilion, a new community facility targeted to open in 2018. City Staff and Councillor Mark Grimes are hosting a public information meeting to: ‘* Present the project scope and timeline ‘Discuss community needs and ideas, and oe a # Highlight project next steps. so cenreNnia onan City staff willbe available to answer questions about 3 & the project. Councillor Mark Grimes, Ward 6 z y (Etobicoke-Lakeshore) will also be in attendance. iat oe Everyone fs welcome to ated 4 . rate Tuesday, February 16, 2016 asin 2 6to8p.m. Mimico Centennial Library, Auditorium 47 Station Streeet x & For more information about this project, The local Cty Councillor for this area is: please contact: \Netami Stuart, Landscape Architect Councilor Mark Grimes Parks, Forestry and Recreation Ward 6, Etobicoke-Lakeshore 416-336-3327 | nstuar@toronto.ca 416-397-9273 | Councilor. Grimes @toronto.ca @TorontoPFR | Facebook com/TorontoPFR @Mark_Grimes | Facebook. com/TheMark Grimes {Information willbe collected in accordance with the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. With the exception of personal information, all comments will become pat ofthe public record, Public Information Meeting Notice on Proposed Pavilion