June 1, 1999

To:Chairman and Members of the Scarborough Community Council

From:Joe Halstead, Commissioner, Economic Development, Culture & Tourism

Subject:Indoor Soccer Centre Lease Renewal (Ward 13)

Purpose:

To renew the Lease Agreement between the Scarborough Soccer Association and the City of Toronto for the Scarborough Soccer Centre, formerly Clairlea Arena, 45 Fairfax Crescent. (The current lease expires June 30, 1999 - see Appendix A.)

Funding Sources, Financial Implications and Impact Statement:

No funding sources required.

Recommendations:

It is recommended that:

(1)appropriate staff be authorized to undertake the necessary action to execute the renewed lease agreement between the Scarborough Soccer Centre and the City of Toronto; and

(2)the lease be renewed for a 10-year period, with an option for a further renewal of 10 years; no other terms of the existing lease are to be altered.

Impact:

The new lease recommended allows the Scarborough Soccer Association (through its Board of Management for the Scarborough Soccer Centre) to continue to operate this, the only indoor soccer facility in the East District. The terms of the lease remain the same with the exception of the length of the term. Increasing the lease term length from 5 years to 10 years, provides the Association the opportunity to make expensive leasehold improvements, which would outlive the term of the lease.

Not renewing the lease would result in no access to indoor soccer in the East District of the City of Toronto. 84 youth teams and 104 senior teams would have no capability of playing in the fall/winter season. In addition, there would be no provision for seniors indoor lawn bowling and summer lacrosse.

Comments and/or Discussion and/or Justification:

The Scarborough Soccer Association needs to replace the existing astro turf at the expense of close to $300,000. The Association needs assurance that the Centre will be theirs to use for the life of the astro turf (beyond the next five years).

The Scarborough Soccer Centre Facility Chairman, Mr. Mike Burke, has provided an overview of the history of the Centre's origins and increasing use of the Centre since it opened in 1992 (Appendix B).

The leasehold improvements have totalled $425,000 since 1992 (Appendix C). The organization has fulfilled all past obligations to the City and has provided a professionally operated indoor soccer facility for the sports community.

The recommendations are the result of the meetings involving the President of the Scarborough Soccer Centre, Manager of the Scarborough Soccer Centre and City staff.

Conclusions:

The longer-term lease between the Scarborough Soccer Centre and the City of Toronto will provide the opportunity for the residents of the East District to enjoy a further improved indoor soccer facility.

Contact Name:

Anne Jackson

Supervisor, Parks & Recreation, East District, South Region

392-2651

Joe Halstead

Commissioner Economic Development, Culture & Tourism