2013-12-16 Committee Report - Community Development and Recreation Committee

City Council on December 16, 17 and 18, 2013, adopted the following:

1. City Council refer the designation of 16 existing community centres, as community centres where programs are free (formerly known as Priority Centres), effective April 2014, as outlined in the report (November 20, 2013) from the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation, and as per the approved selection criteria in the Recreation Service Plan, to the 2014 budget process for consideration.

2. City Council direct that free programming continue to be provided at existing Priority Centres in Toronto Community Housing revitalization areas, and delay the review of their designation until after two Census cycles (approximately 10 years) following the revitalization's completion.

3. City Council direct the Executive Director, Social Development Finance and Administration and the General Manager, Parks Forestry and Recreation to work with the East Scarborough Storefront and the East Scarborough Boys' and Girls' Club to develop an accessible, affordable, recreation strategy for Kingston/Galloway/Orton Park for implementation in summer 2014.

The Community Development and Recreation Committee recommends that:

The Community Development and Recreation Committee requested:

1. the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation to report to the Budget Committee on the program and budget implications of the implementation of 16 new Centres Where Services Are Free (priority centres), starting in (a) the Spring or (b) the summer 2014 session;

2. the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation to report periodically on service and program levels in all Centres Where Services Are Free during the 2014 year;

3. the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation to report to the Budget Committee on the budget and program implications of implementing the "Swim to Survive" program as early as practicable in 2014; and

4. the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation to report to the Budget Committee on the possibility of funding the "Swim to Survive" Program through the Pan Am Games legacy Fund.

Toronto City Council adopted Parks, Forestry and Recreation's 2013-2017 Recreation Service Plan in November 2012. The Plan will guide the City of Toronto's planning and delivery of recreation programs and services over the next five years. Council approved the Implementation Plan in July 2013.

The City of Toronto currently has 23 Priority Centres where recreation programs are free. These centres reduce financial barriers for Toronto's low-income families.

This report recommends designating 16 existing community centres as new Priority Centres following the approved 2013-2017 Recreation Service Plan. It also addresses the need for special considerations for revitalization areas.