STAFF REPORT

January 4, 2000

To: Budget Advisory Committee

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

Subject: FY2000 to FY2004 Capital Works Program of Economic Development, Culture and Tourism Department

All Wards

Purpose:

This report provides information to the Budget Advisory Committee as requested at its meeting of December 9 and 10, 1999.

Financial Implications and Impact Statement:

Financial implications for the Chinese Cultural Centre be considered by the Budget Advisory Committee during the FY2000 - FY2004 Capital Budget process. At this time, the entire amount is subject to fundraising by the community with a net cost of zero to the City.

Recommendations:

It is recommended that:

(1) the Budget Advisory Committee consider the additional information related to the Chinese Cultural Centre in its decision concerning the FY2000 to FY2004 Parks and Recreation Capital Program.

Background:

The Budget Advisory Committee, at its meeting of December 9 and 10, 1999, requested reports

(i) regarding the fundraising activities for the Chinese Cultural Centre and the types of support required from the City for that project; and

(ii) the number of recreation or community centres built over the past ten years and their associated costs.

Comments:

Chinese Cultural Centre

With regard to fundraising activities for the Chinese Cultural Centre, the Chinese Classical Garden is an integral component of the Scarborough Community Complex, located on the southeast corner of Sheppard Avenue East and Progress Avenue. The first buildings, Burrows Hall Community Centre and Library, and the Chinese Cultural Centre of Greater Toronto, opened in 1998.

The City of Toronto will build the Garden with design and development input from the Chinese Cultural Centre. This arrangement was formalized by an Agreement executed between the former municipality of Scarborough and the Cultural Centre. The capital costs of developing the Garden are to be raised by a fundraising committee, comprised of City Councillors and representatives of the Chinese Cultural Centre which was approved by Council at its meeting of February 2, 3 and 4, 1999 (Scarborough Community Council Report 1, Clause 10). The City of Toronto will own and operate the Garden.

The Fundraising Committee has concluded that raising the $6.5 million required for the first phase of the Garden would be extremely difficult without a substantial financial commitment from the City. A progress report from the Fundraising Committee is being prepared for consideration at the January 18, 2000, Scarborough Community Council meeting. The Fundraising Committee is seeking approval, in principle, that the City make a matching contribution to the Garden's capital cost.

The $6.5 million gross capital cost for the Chinese Classical Garden Project is included in the FY2001 and FY2002 Parks and Recreation Capital Program, with $2.75 million in FY2001 and $3.75 million in FY2002. At this time, the entire amount is subject to fundraising by the community with a net cost of zero to the City.

Number of Recreation/Community Centres Built over the Last Ten Years

With regard to the number of new recreation or community centres built in the last ten years and their associated costs, in total, there were sixteen (16) facilities built for a total construction cost of $71,210,000.00. In East York - 1 @ $1,560,000.00; in Etobicoke - 2 @ $4,700,000.00; in North York - 3 @ $8,270,000.00; in Scarborough - 7 @ $ 20,360,000.00; in Toronto - 3 @ $36,320,000.00, and none in York.

It should be further noted that this data reflects only the newly built recreation or community centres and not the many other renovations, additions or retrofits that have taken place over the last ten years.

Contact:

Frank Kershaw

Director of Policy & Development

Telephone: 392-8199

Facsimile: 395-0278

e-mail: fkershaw@mta1.metrodesk.metrotor.on.ca

Joe Halstead,

Commissioner Economic Development, Culture and Tourism