Lease Renewal - Birchmount Bluffs Neighbourhood Centre

(Ward 13 - Scarborough Bluffs)

The Administration Committee recommends the adoption of the following report (September 20, 1999) from the Commissioner of Economic Development Culture and Tourism:

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:

(1)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; and

(b)give permission to the BBNC to post notices without consent of the City; and

(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

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Appendix A

 I am pleased to report that the Board of Directors of the Birchmount Bluffs Neighbourhood Centre at our June 24, 1999 meeting, unanimously approved a motion to renew the Management Agreement and lease with the City of Toronto related to the occupation, management and operation of the Birchmount Community Centre at 93 Birchmount Road.

We are very pleased with the partnership with the City of Toronto which gives BBNC the opportunity to provide programs and services responsive to the community needs. We believe that the partnership is mutually beneficial and we would be pleased to continue it for another five years, as per the time frame of the lease renewal.

As per your discussions with Jacquie Buncel, Executive Director of BBNC, we would like changes to be made to Items 7 and 19 of Schedule "C" Rules and Regulations. We are in agreement that Item 7 should be changed to allow for cooking in the building in accordance with Health and Safety Standards. We would also like Section 19 to be amended to allow for BBNC's right to post notices without consent from the City.

We would also ask the Management Board to make the appropriate changes to the Management Agreement and the lease in order to reflect the new names of the parties and our representatives.

Thank you for your continued support of BBNC and our programs for the community.