September 20, 1999
To:Administration Committee
From:Joe Halstead, Commissioner Economic Development Culture and Tourism
Subject:Birchmount Bluffs Neighbourhood Centre Lease Renewal - Ward 13 - Scarborough Bluffs
Purpose:
The Birchmount Bluffs Neighbourhood Centre (BBNC), in the attached letter (Appendix A) wishes to exercise its option to
renew the Lease Agreement and Management Agreement between themselves (formerly the Phyllis Griffiths
Neighbourhood Centre) and the City of Toronto, for use of a portion of the Birchmount Community Centre, 93 Birchmount
Road.
Staff have no concern with respect to the changes requested relating to cooking or the right to post notices.
The current agreements expired August 31, 1999 with the option for a further 5-year renewal.
Funding Sources, Financial Implications and Impact Statement:
No funding sources required.
Recommendations:
It is recommended that:
- in response to their request to exercise their option of renewal that the current agreements with the Birchmount Bluffs
Neighbourhood Centre for the lease and management of space at the Birchmount Community Centre, be extended for a
further five years, expiring on the last day of August 2004;
2.the agreements be amended to:
(a) allow for cooking in the building in accordance with the regulations established by the Medical Officer of Health.
(b) give permission to the BBNC to post notices without consent of the City.
3. the appropriate City officials be directed to take the necessary action to give effect thereto.
Impact:
Renewing the agreements would continue the operation of a successful partnership with the Birchmount Bluffs
Neighbourhood Centre (BBNC) and the City of Toronto. The BBNC serves over 2000 people annually who participate in
programs at the Birchmount Community Centre.
Comments:
The BBNC is a community-based organization serving southwest Scarborough, from Victoria Park Avenue to McCowan
Road and from Lake Ontario to Eglinton Avenue.
BBNC was started by a group of residents in the early 1980's, in a storefront on Kingston Road because this community
had no other recreational or social services at that time. The organization partnered with the former City of Scarborough
when designing the new Birchmount Community Centre, and in 1994, the BBNC took up its current residence.
The BBNC has a mutually beneficial agreement with the City whereby, in exchange for free facilities, the neighbourhood
centre offers programming in response to community needs. BBNC provides recreational, social, and creative
programming to youth, children, adults, and seniors. In 1998, approximately 2010 people participated in programs such as
karate, arts classes, dance, fitness, aquafitness, yoga, Feng Shui and after-school programs. Also offered, is a family
resource centre which provides drop-in activities for parents and caregivers and their children; a toy, video and book
lending library, and a community nursery school. The most recent addition is the Youth Employment Resource Lounge,
which provides informal counselling and job access resources to community members.
The organization has fulfilled all past obligations to the City and has provided a professionally operated community
recreation centre, which strives to meet the recreational needs of the surrounding community. The BBNC is an
incorporated non-profit organization with a volunteer Board of Directors from the community.
The BBNC has kept up-to-date Comprehensive General Liability Insurance and Fire Liability Insurance as required by the
landlord.
Conclusions:
The renewed lease and management agreement will provide the opportunity for residents in and surrounding Ward 13, to
further enjoy the programs and services of the Birchmount Bluffs Neighbourhood Centre.
Contact Name:
Anne Jackson,
392-2651
Joe Halstead
Commissioner Economic Development, Culture and Tourism
