Leasing of Additional Space - 160 Eglinton Avenue East

(North Toronto)

The Toronto Community Council recommends the adoption of the following motion by Councillor Walker, seconded by Councillor Johnston:

"WHEREAS the City of Toronto leases 6,649 square feet of space plus an additional storage mezzanine area at 160 Eglinton Avenue East for the operation of the Central Eglinton Community Centre (CECC) and the lease expires on November 30, 20002; and

WHEREAS the CECC is operated as a Board of Management for community centre purposes for the benefit of the citizens of the Central Eglinton area; and

WHEREAS over the last few years, the services provided by CECC have increased dramatically which has resulted in the current facilities not being adequate to meet the needs of the approximately 1,500 young children and families, 1,700 adults and 3,200 older adults that use the facilities throughout the course of the year; and

WHEREAS the space is very congested and the organization has been forced to using areas such as converting a closet into working program/administrative space which is clearly not conducive to good programming; and

WHEREAS the CECC has written to the local Councillors requesting that staff enter into negotiations with Brookfield Homes Limited in order to lease the 3,201 square feet of additional space on the second floor of 160 Eglinton Avenue East, directly above the present Centre; and

WHEREAS staff have advised that no funding is available in the proposed 1999 operating budget for this purpose and that the estimated cost on an annual basis would be approximately $64,000.00 and, if the lease was to commence on July 1, 1999, for 1999 the cost would be $32,000.00;

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT Toronto Community Council recommend that the Facilities and Real Estate Division operating budget be increased by $32,000.00 for 1999 and the Real Estate staff be requested to enter into negotiations with Brookfield Homes Limited to lease an additional 3,201 square feet of space on the second floor of 160 Eglinton Avenue East and that final approval of the lease be conditional on the submission of a report from the Commissioner of Economic Development, Culture and Tourism which supports the addition of the space based on his review of the CECC existing space and program demands and confirms its requirements for this additional space."