Civitan Arena Replacement
Photo: TOBuilt
Update - May 2014
Don Mills’ Civitan Arena is due to close in 2020, and the site for a replacement arena returned to the city’s Government Management Committee in mid May.
The Committee opted to defer a final decision until 2015 to allow a further search for suitable replacement sites in the area of Don Mills Road and Eglinton Avenue East. The Committee also ruled out Don Mills Collegiate Institute’s field as a suitable option.
Following my push for community consultation in fall 2013, I brought a motion forward directing city staff to establish a working group of community stakeholders to provide direct and substantive feedback throughout the duration of the site selection process.
My motion ensures that the neighbourhood’s opinion will be front and centre when the final site is chosen!
Update – February 2014
At Government Management Committee in October, I pushed hard for a community consultation to give residents an opportunity to have their thoughts heard about the arena relocation. The public meeting took place in early December and it was a full and productive discussion!
At January’s Government Management Committee, a decision on the best relocation site was deferred until spring to ensure that each and every option is thoroughly studied and reviewed. I will continue to work with Ward 25, my colleagues on Council and city staff to make sure that the new arena is open by 2020 as planned!
November 2013
In mid-October, city staff brought forward a report to Government Management Committee identifying the northwest corner of York Mills Road and the Don Valley Parkway as the recommended site for an arena to replace the Don Mills Civitan Arena. The Science Centre parking lot at the southwest corner of Eglinton Avenue East and Don Mills Road was also under consideration.
The Toronto District School Board recently declared surplus a portion of the Don Mills Middle School property fronting Lawrence Avenue East, and it has been suggested as a further alternative.
I pushed hard at Government Management Committee for a successful motion that requires city staff to schedule a public meeting prior to making any decisions about the replacement site. In my mind, we need to hear from Don Mills before moving forward on a location!
The meeting will take place at 7 p.m. on Thursday, December 5, 2013 at the Don Mills Middle School Cafetorium (17 The Donway East). It is an opportunity to speak directly to city staff and to discuss the replacement location of the Don Mills Civitan Arena.
Everyone is welcome and I encourage you to attend!