30.PROPOSED RENOVATIONS TO PLAYGROUNDS AT FOUR (4) TORONTO CATHOLIC DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD SCHOOL SITES -

ST. MATTHEW; ST. NICHOLAS OF BARI; ST. JOHN BOSCO; ST. ALPHONSUS

Ward 27, York-Humber and Ward 28, York-Eglinton.

General Manager, Parks & Recreation Division,

Economic Development, Culture & Tourism

(September 2, 1998)

Purpose:

This report is to respond to requests by the York Community Council to address issues regarding proposed renovations to playgrounds and cost-sharing arrangements with the Toronto Catholic District School Board in the York Service Area.

Funding Sources, Financial Implications and Impact Status:

Funds in the amount of $75,000.00 have been placed in the preliminary 1999 Capital Budget.

Recommendations:

1)That staff continue to meet with representatives from the Toronto Catholic District School Board to determine the development status and budget provisions for these four playground projects; and

2)That costs of the components of these projects be itemized by the TCDSB and that City of Toronto Parks & Recreation submit a funding request of a 50% share of the playground projects only in the 1999 Capital Budget.

3)That the TCDSB keep the City informed when they do their accommodation review of the four school locations identified in this report.

4)That appropriate City officials be authorized to give effect thereto.

Council Reference/Background History:

York Community Council on May 6, 1998 requested staff to meet with representatives of the Toronto Catholic District School Board (TCDSB) on the renovation to the playground at St. Alphonsus Elementary School and report on the funding formula and policy with respect to joint projects between the City of Toronto and the TCDSB for schools located in Ward 2 and Ward 28.

Further, Community Council also supported in principle the proposed renovations to the playgrounds at St. John Bosco and St. Nicholas of Bari Catholic Schools and that funds be included in the 1999 Capital Budget for a partnership arrangement for these projects, and for staff to initiate discussions with officials of the TCDSB on these renovation projects.

Further, York Community Council on June 24, 1998 passed a resolution requesting the Commissioner of Economic Development, Culture and Tourism report on a 50/50 cost sharing agreement between the TCDSB and the City of Toronto for the St. Matthew's playground.

Comments and/or Discussion and/or Justification:

Staff have initiated discussion with Peter Apswoude of the TDCSB, to review the various playground projects listed above. The following is an account of the current development status of these playgrounds with the TDCSB.

St. Matthew

Phase I of the development includes a junior playground structure on the front lawn of the school. The estimated cost of the whole school project is $160,000. As outlined in the report, $16,000 has been raised through donations and fundraising initiatives. This project is ready to go to TDSSB Capital Budget meeting in 1998 for their 1999 Capital Budget.

We should consider funding the playground component of this project only and are currently waiting for further cost estimates.

St. Nicholas of Bari

The TCDSB has not prepared a plan for this project. The only information received is a quotation from Peter Demelo, the Principal.

The TCDSB have estimated the cost of the project to be $60,000 that would include drainage and site work. This project may be ready for capital submission in September 1998 for 1999 Capital Budget.

St. John Bosco

The Parents Association of the school have been discussing a new playground for the school site. No plan has been developed, or dollar value established. When the information is available, it will be forwarded to our office. The TCDSB may try to request capital money in September for 1999.

St. Alphonsus

No plan available. No proposal at Toronto Catholic District School Board office for review. The TDCSB may budget consultant money to help develop site for 1999 Capital.

Summary

Staff are currently working on the preliminary capital budget for the City of Toronto Parks and Recreation Division and have placed $75,000 in their 1999 Capital towards joint projects and cost-sharing with the TCDSB, in the York Area.

In the past, and currently, we are working on a 50/50 cost-sharing model. The funding formula and policy for playgrounds at school sites of both Boards will be the subject of more complete review and report from the Economic Development, Culture & Tourism Department in the coming months.

Other Considerations

The sites the TCDSB are proposing are junior play areas. Preschool children, JK, K, Grade 1.

Community use will be evenings only, weekends and summer.

We should be kept informed of the status of the TCDSB accommodation review of these school locations. The TDCSB will be considering their capital plan in the coming months, and our funding should be contingent upon approval of the 1999 Capital Budget and further upon the TCDSB's 1999 Capital Budget approval.

Conclusions:

We will continue to check the status of these four locations and the Board's plans for these schools. Plans for these playground projects will be forwarded for review and components will be broken down for each project so that we can determine our share of the costs of these projects.

Taking into account the development status and history of at least two of these projects, the Department has included $75,000 in the preliminary 1999 Capital Budget.

Contact Name:

Ken Dickin

Parks & Recreation

York Civic Service Centre

Tel: 394-2486

_______________________________

Claire Tucker-Reid, General Manager

Parks & Recreation Division

Economic Development, Culture and Tourism