January 4, 1999
To:Economic Development Committee
From:Joe Halstead, Commissioner Economic Development, Culture and Tourism
Subject:The Toronto Lion Dance Festival, Ward 25, Downtown
Purpose:
To determine the level of involvement and partnership by Toronto Parks and Recreation
Division in the Lion Dance Festival in 1999.
Source of Funds:
Divisional Budget, Grant Review Committee and Corporate Sponsorship.
Recommendations:
- That the Lion Dance Festival programme be approved in principle and be deemed to
be in the interest of the City;
- That the Economic Development Committee request the Grant Review Committee
to allocate funds of $10,000 to the Scadding Court Community Centre for the
staging of this event in June 1999; and
- That Toronto Parks and Recreation Division provide appropriate staff resources to
assist with the Lion Dance Festival.
Background:
Scadding Court Community Centre has been one of the recipient agencies of a major
recreation grant for approximately ten years in the former City of Toronto. In 1997, the
Executive Director Mr Kevin Lee, initiated the first Lion Dance Festival with the support and
endorsement of some local businesses and community groups in the Chinese community. This
event has attracted t interest from all levels of government and the private sector.
In 1998, the Parks and Recreation Division was asked to develop a children's play area for the
last day of the festival. This play area was to be a part of the major festival which included
lion dancers and other performers from Mainland China. This was the first major event to be
staged by the Parks and Recreation Division, which had a committee with representation from
all of the former municipalities. "The Lion Park" was initiated and developed by staff as a
children's activity area that was safe and enjoyable for everyone. Some of the activities
included cartoon characters roaming the park, music and songs from diverse groups across the
City, tug of war with the police, a tour of the fire trucks and staff supervised games. "The Lion
Park" will now be an integral part of the Lion Dance Festival events.
Comments:
The Lion Dance Festival Committee intends to expand its sphere of activities which will take
place from June 6 to June 13, 1999 with several major additions. Some of these will include:
- The participation of the Shaolin Monks
- One week of activities in partnership with Ontario Place
- The addition of several major corporate sponsors
- The involvement of Tourism Ontario
- Featuring two other ethnic groups [to be determined]
- The visible participation of the Black History Society, The Harriet Tubman
Community Organization and one of the bandleaders from Caribana
The partnership with Ontario Place will have a major impact on the involvement of the Parks
and Recreation Division, since they have requested "The Lion Park" as the main attraction for
the week of June 6. We are in the process of working out the logistics and implications of this
request and the expected number of staff to work on this project. The Lion Dance Festival
Committee is currently negotiating with the Toronto District School Board to make this an
educational experience by transporting children on a daily basis to visit Ontario Place. The
centre stage area will highlight different acts by the children themselves.
Conclusion:
The Lion Dance Festival will be attracting local visitors as well as others, particularly from
the United States. The involvement of Tourism Ontario has facilitated upcoming presentations
at trade shows where Touring Companies will be encouraged to make this event a part of their
sales package for their tours in 1999. The Mayor will be requested to declare June 6 to June
13, 1999 Lion Dance Festival Week.
The Department anticipates that there is a willingness on the part of the Festival Committee to
offset costs to this Division similar to last year. There is a true spirit of cooperation between
the community, the private sector and the Toronto Parks and Recreation Division which will
continue to grow in the years to come.
Contact Name:
Ken Jeffers
Operations Coordinator
392-7019
Joe Halstead
Commissioner Economic Development, Culture and Tourism
