October 1, 1998

To:North York Community Council

From:Joe Halstead, Commissioner

Economic Development, Culture & Tourism Department

Subject:Feasibility Study - Yorkwoods Community Centre - Ward 7

Purpose:

This report seeks further direction from Community Council regarding authority provided to the Committee on Community, Race and Ethnic Relations to undertake a $30,000 feasibility study for the development of a Centre for Ethno-Cultural Development and Learning.

Source of Funds:

Through the adoption of Report No. 10, as amended in Clause 24, of the Strategic Policies and Priorities Committee at Council on July 8, 9 and 10, 1998, approval was given to release $30,000 from an allocation of $80,000 which had been previously approved in the 1998 Capital Budget for demolition and park development on the Yorkwoods site. These monies, however, were to be released only upon both Councillors' consultations with their communities to endorse the study. Their respective efforts in this regard had differing outcomes and monies are therefore not able to be released by the Treasurer in compliance with the amended motion that was approved.

Recommendations:

It is recommended that:

(1)Parks and Recreation staff immediately convene a public consultation meeting to get community input into the question "should the existing building be a) retained for community uses other than recreation, or b) demolished and the green space/outside play amenities upgraded?";

(2)if a) is their preference, "should the feasibility study be undertaken within the conditions previously approved by Council?";

(3)if b) is their preference, Council's prior approval to demolish and redevelop the site at a cost not to exceed $80,000 be carried out; and

(4)the appropriate staff be authorized to carry out all things necessary to give effect thereto.

Background/History:

In 1997, monies were approved by North York Council to build a new recreation facility in Oakdale Park just 0.25 kilometers south of Yorkwoods Community Centre in the Jane/Finch Area (Appendix I). In 1998, City of Toronto Council approved $80,000 to demolish the Yorkwoods building/outdoor pool and develop the 1.0 acre site as a park with a children's play structure, plantings, furnishings and upgrades to the existing outdoor sports pad. The recommendation to demolish the site was made based on an architectural assessment commissioned in 1993, and on a 1996 study of parkland in the community.

In June of 1998, Councillor LiPreti made a deputation to Budget Committee seeking approval to allocate $30,000 out of an approved Capital Budget to undertake a study to determine, whether it is feasible to retain the Yorkwoods building, whether capital core and program funding is available from sources other than the City of Toronto to sustain it, and whether a Centre for Ethno-Cultural Development and Learning through the Faculty of Education, York University, is viable and warranted. It should be noted that we have been advised by York's Dean of Education that "it would be impossible for the University to share in any way in the costs of maintenance, renovations or ongoing upkeep of the Yorkwoods Community Centre". Subsequent approval from Council was given for the feasibility study to be conducted through the Community, Race and Ethnic Relations Committee on the condition that both Councillors garner support in the community. There appears to be support for further study regarding the use of the site, but Councillor Augimeri's consultation identified community opposition regarding the source of funding. Their concern is that if further study supports the position that the building is not usable or sustainable, the funds remaining in the Capital Budget ($50,000) would be insufficient to demolish the structure and to provide the necessary outdoor amenities.

Comments:

The architectural assessment completed by J & R Engineering indicated that the thirty-three year old building and the outdoor pool require major work over the next few years, totaling an estimated $198,600.00 (at 1993) costs). The building is beyond its useful life for public recreation purposes, and has restrictions for other uses, e.g. no parking, inaccessibility to persons with physical disabilities.

Staff completed a review of the parkland in the Jane Heights Residential Community. Yorkwoods Community Centre, outdoor pool and park area, is 1.0 acre in size. The footprint of the new Oakdale building, pool, and associated parking will consume some 1.25 acres of the available space at Oakdale Park. Even if the Yorkwoods site is retained as open space, there will be a net reduction overall in open space in the neighbourhood of 0.25 acres. This would impact a community which is already deficient in open space by 12.81 acres.

The Oakdale Community Centre is in the final stages of development with an anticipated completion date of October 31, 1998. During the design stage of the Oakdale project in 1997, feedback from the community supported reverting the Yorkwoods site to open space upon completion of the new Oakdale, as there was some opposition to taking away green space at the Oakdale site. Concerns were satisfied at the time through staff's recommendation to demolish Yorkwoods and therefore, only slightly reduce the net green space in their neighbourhood.

Conclusions:

Due to conflicting outcomes of the two Councillors' consultations with their communities, the Treasurer is unable to release monies for the feasibility study. In order to provide further direction regarding this centre, direct consultation between staff and the community is warranted.

Contact Name:

Gary W. Stoner

District Lead - North

Parks and Recreation Division

Telephone: 395-6190Fax: 395-0105

E-mail: gwstoner@north-york.on.ca

Joe Halstead

Commissioner

Economic Development, Culture & Tourism Department

GWS:sf