The Need for a Community Centre for the Humber Bay Shores Community (HBSCA, 02/29/16)

Background:
In the Winter 2014 issue of Humber Happenings, residents may recall that the Humber Bay Shores
Condominium Association announced that Empire Communities Development had donated their 6000
square foot Presentation Centre to HBSCA. Once decommissioned as a sales centre, the building would
be re-designed to function as a community centre. Councillor Grimes and then-President Jim Reekie
made this announcement in Humber Happenings and further meetings were necessary to work out
structural and functional details of making this conversion happen. It was hoped that as a non-profit
organization, the buildings operational and maintenance costs could be negotiated in the same manner as
other non-profit, city-owned properties are subsidized (e.g., leasing for $1 per annum for an X-term
lease).

Subsequent to these discussions with Empire Communities and Councillor Grimes, city staff raised a
number of concerns that would create obstacles to permanent use of the building by the community;
notwithstanding the builder agreeing to a number of structural re-fit modifications (lowering the building
onto a new foundation and other interior alterations). City engineering staff appeared to be adamant that
future use of Empires Presentation Centre as a Humber Bay Community Centre would not be possible
without renovation expenditures amounting to over $3.4 million.
Discussions culminated in the Ward 6 Announcement of a Public Information Meeting to be held on
February 16, 2016 at the Mimico Centennial Library. The public consultation meeting was called to
discuss the Humber Bay Parks Project as part of a master plan on construction of a parks pavilion or
Community facility near the ponds at Humber Bay Park East targeted to open in 2018. Projected cost of
this project would be about $7 million.
HBSCA in meetings with Councillor Grimes and Empire Communities had hoped to direct funds to the
re-purposed Presentation Centre renovations given that a building opportunity was already available in a
central location; albeit with the need for recommended alterations. Funding for the renovations could be,
in part from the benefactor, and the City (Section 37 funds).
Requisites for Consideration:
The HBSCA has maintained that an accessible and local community centre for its current and future
residents was sorely needed. It is expected by 2017 once current condo construction is completed, there
will be in excess of 28,000 residents living in 30 plus hi-rise condominiums within a small community
footprint designated as Humber Bay Shores. Lacking is a facility for residents to congregate and conduct
town hall meetings or other special interest functions.
In looking at principles that would support the need for a community centre, a 2005 Study concluded that
the following essential elements should exist;
Population and Resources supportnearly 25,000 residents live on 2.5 km of affronting roadway (Park
Lawn and Lake Shore Blvd West) consistent with urban intensification strategy as set out in the Places to
Grow Act of 2005. This has resulted in nearly 30 condominium complexes; mostly hi-rise buildings
providing a substantial tax benefit for infrastructure return. Indeed, many builders have also contributed
significant Precinct planning funds and Development Charges for infrastructure needs; this has been
passed on to homeowner and business realty purchases.
A community image or identityThe Humber Bay Shores designation and the 20-year existence of a
Humber Bay Shores Condominium Association represents the communitys condominium corporations
(Association members) and meets regularly. The Association has its own quarterly communiqu; Humber
Happenings magazine. We share links with local businesses (a Business Alliance with more than 100
retail offerings), linear parks (Humber Bay Parks extending east and west), local yacht clubs and other
special interest groups (Friends of Humber Bay Parks, Butterfly and wildlife habitat groups, etc.)
AttractionsHBSCA operates a seasonal Farmers Market every Saturday from May until October. We
run a full day summer Waterfront Festival. For 20 years we have hosted an annual park clean-up. We are
situated on the lake where thousands of residents and visitors enjoy a vibrant board walk and emerging

local restaurants. The HBS boardwalk becomes the centre for watching the Labour Day air show and
many other waterfront attractions.
Central Location availabilityMarine Parade Drive runs parallel to the waterfront park. Humber Bay
Shores connects Mimico to Toronto with the QEW and Lake Shore Blvd network. Traffic and
transportation is extremely busy. Ample and shared pathways are present. The nearly 170 hectares of
parkland integrated into the lakeside edge of the residential and business community.
So what is lacking is a structural facility or gathering place for community stakeholders (large meetings,
police stop, indoor events, and special-interest classes, etc.); in essence a formal activity management
centre. With many community centres, the municipality provides essential funding assistance in the way
of operational subsidies. Additionally, other local non-profit organizations pay the City $1/year for facility
with lease assurance of long-term proprietorship.
Purpose of a Community Centre:
A community centre is a strategic public location where members of a community gather for group
activities, social support, public information or other socio-recreational events. For example; community
celebrations, town hall meetings, voting station and political candidates meeting, volunteer-local club
meeting place, police substation stop, weddings, charity events, public relations, art-craft shows, youth
adult-senior programming, educational seminars, yoga or dance programs, drop-in centre, snack bar,
washroom availability, community equipment storage, etc. A community centre is not unlike a public park
serving the local populations need for an educational, recreational and social resource. In the Humber
Bay Shores area, there is little need for a community centre to house robust recreational offerings, such as
swimming pools, exercise gyms or sports facilitiesthis would be expensive and almost every
condominium already has these amenities available on-site.
The Community Centre could be community-owned in partnership with the municipality and operated by
a designated community group (volunteer ratepayers, resident-business association). Funding for centres
often come from donations or benefactors (builders), Development Charges for infrastructure and Section
37 funds for community benefit, event-rental and City funding (or waiving of rent and maintenance
costs). In other jurisdictions re-purposed schools, churches or other large facilities are often acquired by
the City to subsidize a community centre.
In the planning rationale over many years that crafted Humber Bay Shores, there can be no dispute that
the City, builders and Ontario Municipal Board are the architects of our urban intensification; the good or
bad effects of this planning thrust upon to our residents and businesses. Consistent with the 2005 Places
to Grow Act of Ontario customary tax-based services provided in urban sprawl are withdrawn in areas of
intense condominium leaving this unique populous to double-down on municipal fees. This municipal tax
gain, as well as taking into account Development Charges and Section 37/45 contributions passed on to
buyers, ought to be ceremoniously returned to the community. A subsidized Community Centre would be
an appreciated start.
Previously Proposed Location of the Citys Pavilion in Humber Bay Park East (HBPE):
The HBSCA is not in favour of the HBPE site and would prefer the current Empire Presentation Centre
location for use as a Community Centre. The Presentation Centre structure had been gifted to the

Association in 2014. This building is central and within walking distance to the Condominiums. This site
is of modest size, has a small parking lot and is close to larger public parking lots within the Humber
Park. If this site is deemed to be unsuitable as a Community Centre, there are other locations that could be
considered as alternatives to the City-proposed HBPE site; including Humber Bay Park West and the
employment-designated Christies parcel.
In consideration of the foregoing, Be It Resolved that:
In conclusion, with the Empire Communities gifting of a multi-million dollar (presentation) centre to the
non-profit Humber Bay Shores Condominium Association and the availability of a small park to house
such a facility, it is the HBSCAs position that the City commit to funding the renovation/re-positioning
and maintenance of the presentation centre as publicly announced in the winter of 2014. Alternatively, if
both the Humber Bay Shores community and municipality find that this is not a viable option, that the
needs of the Humber Bay Shores community be identified and accommodated within a HBS Pavilion,
through an open process coordinated in collaboration with the municipality and representatives of the
Humber Bay Shores community.
Both options would result in the establishment of a community centre similar to other community-based
centres in Etobicoke and consistent with the City of Toronto Parks and Facilities Master Plan.