York Community Centre – Status Update
Design: The tender ready construction documents are approximately 99% complete, requiring only some revisions suggested by the PF&R Accessibility Committee, incorporation of the (new) TTC bridge over the creek to the Chris Tonks Arena into the site design, and final Site Plan Approval comments.
Building Permit Approval: Submission of a Building Permit application and drawings are planned for September, although Building’s Zoning Plan examiner will not start the zoning review until the Official Plan Amendment has been finalized (December). Site Plan Approval is required before the full Building Permit can be issued.
Tender & Award: Capital Projects will be pre-qualifying General Contractors for this project shortly, and expect to be tendering this project in September/October, hopefully having received any final Site Plan Approval requirements prior. Due to the value of this tender award exceeding Bid Committee’s authority to award, Council approval will be required for the award of this tender.
Construction Schedule: Based on the timely approvals of authorities having jurisdiction, the current anticipated schedule is: Tender & Council Award: October 2011 through to April 2012
Construction: May 2012 through Winter 2013 (if necessary, landscape work may follow as weather permits).
St. John the Evangelist School needs your support!
Students at St. John the Evangelist are in need of a new school.let’s help make it happen now! With Metrolinx to begin construction of the Weston tunnel behind the school in September 2012, and with St. John the Evangelist on the priority list to be replaced, it would make sense to build the new school at the same time as the construction of the tunnel. The Parent Council of St. John the Evangelist School is asking that you contact the Minister of Education before August 25th to express your support. Please see the attached letter from Dave Bennett of the school’s Parent Council with further information and a sample letter to the Minister’s office.
Filming on Ray Avenue
On Friday, August 26 GEP Productions/NBC Universal will be filming on Ray Ave. for the TV drama series “Covert Affairs”. Ray Ave. will be closed between Industry St. & Weston Rd. with local access only between Weston Rd. & Nickle St. Full road closure Nickle St. to Industry St., 9 am – 9 pm. The filming will include gunfire and a car explosion.
Bidding closes for Toronto airport link rail construction
Infrastructure Ontario announced the request for proposals stage has closed for the Air Rail Link in Toronto, which is part of a plan by Metrolinx to provide rail service every 15 minutes between downtown Toronto and Pearson International Airport. In March, Infrastructure Ontario released the RFP to four teams who were short-listed to bid. The major firms belonging to short-listed candidates included EllisDon Corp., SNC Lavalin Group Inc, Aecon Construction and Materials Ltd. and Flatiron Constructors Canada Ltd. The successful bidder will be announced in early 2012.
City News Summary
Deadline to apply for the City of Toronto’s Tax & Water Relief Programs is approaching!
The City of Toronto offers a Water Rebate Program, Property Tax Increase Cancellation Program, and Property Tax Increase Deferral Program to low income seniors and low income persons with a disability who meet certain eligibility criteria. The deadline to apply for these programs is fast approaching, with applications due no later than August 31, 2011.
For full program eligibility requirements and to get a copy of an application form, please check the City’s website at http://www.toronto.ca/taxes/property_tax/tax_relief.htm
City of Toronto to host the 2012 Ontario Summer Games, volunteers needed!
The countdown to the 2012 Ontario Summer Games began last week at Toronto City Hall with the official launch celebration of the year-away milestone. The City of Toronto will host the Games from August 16 to 19, 2012, in partnership with the Ontario Ministry of Health Promotion and Sport, the Sport Alliance of Ontario, the Toronto Sports Council and Tourism Toronto. Last week’s launch also served as a call for volunteers to register to assist in hosting the Games which will bring together almost 2,500 athletes competing in 28 sports in multiple venues across Toronto and surrounding regions, as well as coaches, managers and officials from across the Province. The Games are a unique opportunity for many young athletes, as the multi-sport competition serves as a stepping stone to many national and international competitions.
To register as a volunteer at the Ontario Summer Games, visit www.2012ontariosummergames.ca
City of Toronto’s Scotiabank Nuit Blanche 2011
Scotiabank Nuit Blanche is Toronto’s annual all-night celebration of contemporary art, produced by the City of Toronto in collaboration with Toronto’s arts community. Since 2006, the event has featured more than 600 official art installations created by nearly 2,500 artists and has generated more than $70 million in economic impact for Toronto. This year’s lineup for the sixth edition of Scotiabank Nuit Blanche, taking place Saturday, October 1 from 6:59 pm until sunrise, includes 134 projects created by more than 500 local, national and international artists. For one sleepless night, the streets of the city will come alive with public art.
The City-produced component of the event will feature three curated exhibitions and a total of 46 projects. The centrepiece of this year’s event is “Flightpath Toronto” at City Hall. Nathan Phillips Square will be transformed by artists Natalie Jeremijenko and Usman Haque. The public is invited to participate in the possibilities and wonder of urban flight above the square.
Full programming details are available at http://www.scotiabanknuitblanche.ca.
Mandatory downspout disconnection program
In 2007, Toronto City Council approved amendments to Chapter 681 of the Toronto Municipal Code making downspout disconnection mandatory in the combined sewer service are of the City and, in 2008, approved the amendment for all other areas of the City. Rollout of the program will be taking place in three phases, with Ward 11 in the first phase. The first phase will require property owners served by combined sewers (stormwater and sanitary sewers combined into a single pipe) to disconnect their home’s downspouts from the City’s sewer system, if feasible, by November 20, 2011. You can find more information on the City’s website at http://www.toronto.ca/water/protecting_quality/downspout.htm
