Feasibility Study -

Yorkwoods Community Centre -

Black Creek

The North York Community Council recommends the adoption of the following report (February 1, 1999) from the Commissioner of Economic Development, Culture and Tourism:

Purpose:

This report will provide the North York Community Council with an update on the progress of the Yorkwoods feasibility study. The study, to be conducted by Economic Development, Culture and Tourism Department staff, with input from the local Councillors and community stakeholders, will determine the future use of the existing building and property.

Source of Funds:

As previously reported to the North York Community Council, $80,000.00 was approved in the 1998 Capital Budget to demolish the existing building. At the previous Community Council Meeting, a motion was passed by Council directing the Commissioner of Economic Development, Culture & Tourism Department, Parks and Recreation Division to commission a study to determine the future use of the building and property, at a cost not to exceed $30,000.00. The majority of the elements in this feasibility study will be conducted internally by staff. An outside firm will be required to do an analysis of the facility's interior, based on the recommendations. The Department estimates that this cost approximates $10,000.00.

Recommendations:

It is recommended that:

(1)the Commissioner of Economic Development, Culture and Tourism Department, Parks and Recreation Division and staff continue with the co-ordination and completion of this study; the cost not to exceed $10,000.00;

(2)this report be received as an update on the activities that have taken place to date. This update will be in addition to the report previously placed before North York Community Council December 9-10, 1998; and

(3)the report reflect terms of reference developed by staff in conjunction with the Ward Councillors and interested community stakeholders.

Background:

On November 11, 1998, a meeting was convened at Yorkwoods Gate Community Centre to make presentations to the community, its agencies and user groups regarding the conducting of a feasibility study in the Yorkwoods area, to determine the future viability/use of this property.

Those in attendance were as follows: Councillor Peter Li Preti; Rick Morrelli - Executive Assistant to Councillor Maria Augimeri; M.P.P. Mario Sergio; staff from North District Parks and Recreation; representatives from several community permit user groups; and residents of the local community. Councillor Li Preti made a presentation to the effect that there is still insufficient community space in this area, and he had requested $30,000.00 of the $80,000.00 set aside for demolition and creating a new park area be reallocated to conducting a feasibility study on the future of this property. A motion was made to conduct a feasibility study and the motion carried by a vote of 26-1, with 12 participants abstaining from the vote.

Based on the results of this public meeting, a recommendation was made to Community Council by the Department at its December 9-10, 1998 meeting, to have $30,000.00 reallocated for a feasibility study, to be conducted by the North York Race and Ethic Relations Committee. Council discussed the recommendation, and a motion was moved by Councillor Peter Li Preti and subsequently approved with the following amendments:

(1)the Commissioner of Economic Development, Culture and Tourism Department, Parks and Recreation Division be directed to commission a study, not to exceed $30,000.00, to determine the future of the building and property;

(2)the City retains the building and open space pending further study of community needs;

(3)the two local Councillors, York University and North York Committee on Community Race and Ethnic Relations be requested to assist in the development of the terms of reference for the study; and

(4)the Commissioner of Economic Development, Culture and Tourism Department, Parks and Recreation Division report to Community Council by February, 1999.

Council also conveyed the message that a competitive process be put in place to select a consultant to conduct the study, if the study could not be completed by the Department.

Park land is at a premium in the Yorkwoods residential community; there is deficiency in open space by 5.81 hectares. In addition, the Yorkwoods facility in its current state is unacceptable for recreation use or other use by community agencies. The architectural assessment completed by J. and R. Engineering indicated that the building requires $198,600.00 of remedial work to make it usable (i.e. Recreation usable).

Comments:

Status Update:

(1)North District Parks and Recreation staff have met with Policy and Development staff to formulate a discussion paper to establish terms of reference for the study.

(See Appendix A.)

(2)North District Parks and Recreation staff have met with the two local Councillors to review the discussion topics.

(3)North District Parks and Recreation staff have developed a critical path for the completion of the study.

(4)A meeting is being convened during the week of February 8, bringing the two local Councillors and community stakeholders together to develop the terms of reference and review the critical path.

Conclusions:

A feasibility study on the future of the Yorkwoods Community Centre will be conducted by staff, based on the terms of reference developed in consultation with the two local Councillors and the community. The study will also establish a business plan for the building and the impact to the surrounding community, as a result of recommendations put forth. It is anticipated that the study, at a cost of $10,000.00, will be completed by June 1999.

Contact Name:

Jim Bradley

Director of Parks and Recreation -North District

Telephone: 395-6054Fax: 395-0105

E-mail: jbradley@city.north-york.on.ca

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(A copy of Appendix A referred to in the foregoing report is on file in the office of the City Clerk, North York Civic Centre.)