STAFF REPORT
January 25, 2000
To: Scarborough Community Council
From: Joe Halstead, Commissioner Economic Development, Culture and Tourism
Subject: Canada Day Celebrations 2000 in the East District
Scarborough City Centre
Purpose:
To respond to the request of the Chair of Scarborough Community Council in investigating the inclusion of a fireworks
display for the July 1, 2000 Canada Day Celebrations in the Parks and Recreation Division East District.
Financial Implications and Impact Statement:
There are no financial implications resulting from the adoption of this report.
Recommendations:
It is recommended that:
(1) staff investigate the expansion of the Canada Day Program in the Parks and Recreation Division East District by adding
a fireworks display on the evening of July 1st, 2000;
(2) Milliken Park, located at Steeles Avenue and McCowan Road, be the selected location of the fireworks, subject to the
approval of the Fire Department;
(3) staff secure the necessary sponsorship to totally offset the costs for set-up, security and the fireworks display;
(4) the decision to have the fireworks display be dependant upon the sponsorship funding; and
(5) the appropriate City Officials be authorized and directed to take the necessary action to give effect thereto.
Background:
For the past 33 years, the former City of Scarborough, and presently the Toronto Parks and Recreation Division East
District, has hosted an annual Canada Day Picnic in Thomson Park, followed by a Canada Day Parade on July 1st in and
around the Scarborough Civic Centre. The Chair of Scarborough Community Council has requested that staff investigate
the opportunity of expanding the existing program to include a fireworks display at the conclusion of the evening.
It is proposed that a similar July 1st celebration be held in 2000 with the following components:
Canada Day Celebrations
Thomson Park
9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Pancake Breakfast with Scouts Canada
9:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Midway and Carnival Rides
9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Museum Tours with Scarborough Historical Society
10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Arts and Crafts Show and Sale
Family Games and Activities
Children's Arts and Crafts
Inflatables and Games
10:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Antique Car Show and Competition
10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Heart Hike with the Toronto Public Health Department
11:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Main Stage Live Bands
11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Character Visits and Buskers
12:00 p.m. - 12:15 p.m. Opening Ceremonies
12:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. Molson's Beer and Food Tent
1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. Robbie International Soccer Tournament Match
2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. Seniors Slo-Pitch Challenge
Character Visits and Buskers
Canada Day Parade
Scarborough Civic Centre and Parade Route
The Canada Day Parade has traditionally begun at 6:00 p.m. with approximately 60 - 80 parade entries. Some of the entries
include live marching bands, floats, clowns, mascots, buskers, community associations and service clubs entries, local
businesses, bugle corps, majorettes, and many more entries. The Parade starts at the Scarborough Civic Centre, travels
southbound on McCowan Road, westbound along Brimortan Road, northbound on Brimley Road, and returning to the
Scarborough Civic Centre.
Comments:
In order to incorporate a fireworks display as part of the Canada Day Celebrations, staff have examined a number of
potential sites in the Parks and Recreation Division East District. Of the large parks that are capable of hosting an event of
such magnitude, Adams Park, Thomson Park, and Milliken Park were examined as potential locations. The following are
details about each park pertaining to the hosting of a fireworks display.
Adams Park
Has the space required and will meet fireworks by-laws and regulations; however, the community in which the park is
located, already has plans for a Millennium Community Project on June 17 and 18, 2000, for which a fireworks display has
been planned.
Thomson Park
Does not have the space required, nor does it meet the fireworks by-laws and regulations, due to the adjacent hydro field,
hospital, and Bendale Acres Senior Facility in close proximity.
Milliken Park
Has hosted a fireworks display in the past. It meets both the size requirements and regulations for a fireworks display. In
addition, Milliken Park offers the most parking on site, and additional locations surrounding the park.
In light of the restrictions listed above, staff is recommending Milliken Park to be the site for a fireworks display.
Staff is presently developing sponsorship packages to present to businesses in an effort to obtain the necessary funds to
operate the fireworks display. The estimated cost for this fireworks presentation and set-up are $25,000.00 (approximately
$1,500.00 per minute for approximately 14 minutes).
Conclusions:
The result of approving this new program will provide an exciting conclusion to the Canada Day Celebrations and enhance
the image of the City of Toronto.
Contact:
Paul McNabney
Supervisor of Recreation and Facilities
Parks and Recreation East District
Telephone: 396-7810
Fax: 396-5399
Email: mcnabney@city.scarborough.on.ca
Joe Halstead
Commissioner Economic Development, Culture and Tourism
