The Lakeshore Collegiate revitalization

As many area residents are aware, the new Lakeshore Lions Arena is scheduled to open on September 2009. When the arena opens, the old arena and the park next to it will be leased to the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) for 50 years. The TDSB could do anything with the property but trustee Bruce Davis is proposing a complete reimagining of the area that will include an expanded Don Russell Park, a multipurpose community centre on the old Lakeshore Lions Arena site, seniors housing and a new Gus Ryder swimming pool. After the foolish and short sighted behaviour from City of Toronto Councillor Mark Grimes and Parks & Rec. staff, it is refreshing that someone with authority understands the needs and wants of the community. Davis held an open house at Lakeshore Collegiate last night to present the proposal to the community and get input as well. The project is at a very early stage and you can be sure there will be many changes.

Davis started the meeting and then turned things over to architect Richard Aubrey. Aubrey is an area resident and was on the planning committee. He has put together what I would call a very basic plan. The Lakeshore Collegiate building will undergo a significant facelift and will be givin an all new facade facing Kipling Ave. The Don Russell Memorial Park on Birmingham Ave. will be expanded significantly and is designed to be a gateway to the entire complex. That's a big change because it is currently a very small area. Currently there is a football/track field and a baseball diamond behind the park. Because of the expansion in other areas, the choice has been made to eliminate the baseball diamond and rebuild the football field with the possibility of adding a dome so it can be used year round. This will include a soccer pitch. Sorry about that baseball fans but studies indicate that soccer is on the rise and baseball is on the decline. So the soccer pitch is very important especially for kids.

But the big news for the community is the plan to turn the old Lakeshore Lions Arena into a multi purpose all inclusive community centre. There will be two levels. The upper level will be an oval track. But the main activity will be on the main level. Davis & Aubrey did propose specific activities but this is in the embryonic stage and the whole point of this meeting was to get additional ideas. Among things proposed are a full size basketball court, a multi purpose gym, squash courts, a dance studio and food/beverage facilities. Of course the one thing I want that isn't included is a full gym and facilities for the disabled. As I explained to Bruce Davis, there is no place west of Yonge St. for a disabled person to get a properly supervised exercise. And we need specialized gym equipment. So this is an opportunity to do something very special for the disabled in this community. Of course public officials won't admit this but the truth is that unless a disabled person is in on the planning of this facility, we will be overlooked. They don't like to hear that but that's the way it is. The squeaky wheel gets the grease. I resemble that remark.

Among other things that are part of this plan include a relocation of the Gus Ryder swimming pool. This is very important for seniors and is definitely on my personal radar. But I would also like to include hydrotherapy facilities to service the disabled. The fact is the current pool is old and needs to be replaced anyway. They have also planned seniors housing as a revenue generator. I think we have to look at our options and see what else we can do. What about funding? Well, I suppose the City Of Toronto could get involved. Mark Grimes was there last night. I don't know if I want them involved because when Parks & Rec. gets their greasy paws on something, they tend to want to conform things to what they want, not to what the community wants. The city has shown an unwillingness to adjust. I still believe that even in this economy, a project of this importance can be privately financed and in partnership with the TDSB, we can operate the property ourselves. I always get asked if I understand the scope of this project and the answer is of course I do. I don't believe in pipe dreams so my goal is to help make this project a reality. Thanks to Bruce Davis (pictured), Richard Aubrey, the TDSB and the others who have been involved to date. I look forward to contributing significantly to the realization of this project.