Article:
$150M designated this year for waterfront improvement projects
By ROB GRANATSTEIN, CITY HALL BUREAU
Toronto Sun
The money is set to flow like water on the waterfront this year.
The much-maligned remake of the city's southern edge will finally show some signs of life this year as the Toronto Waterfront Redevelopment Corp. expects to plow $150.7 million into the project. That's $18 million more than the cumulative amount the TWRC has spent since its inception in 2001.
"We've had a lot of planning and we're getting to construction now," said the agency's CEO, John Campbell. "The rate of spending will increase dramatically."
Leading the way is construction on the West Don Lands, a $234-million, 20-year redevelopment, in a 32-hectare area bordered by Parliament St., the Don River, King St. and the rail lines.
It will eventually be home to 6,000 new residences, an eight-hectare park, public transit, two child-care centres, an elementary school and a community centre and pool.
The $27-million Western Beaches watercourse is roaring ahead in preparation for the Aug. 10 start of the World Dragon Boat Championships. That project is $4 million over budget.
The TWRC board wanted to make sure Campbell wasn't asking for more money than it could spend.
"That's been a problem for us in the past," he said. "The track record of our initial projects show we have been too ambitious."
Still, TWRC chairman Robert Fung has been pushing for instant results.
In fact, the faster the better.
He was disappointed the sports fields planned for the portlands won't be ready for use this summer.
"They're all highly contaminated," said Karen Pitre, who is overseeing the sports field project for the TWRC.
"We can't just throw some kids on a field and say play.
"We're doing it as fast as we can," Pitre said, adding it's hoped they're ready next year.
The sports fields will be artificial turf on top of a concrete cap that will cover the contaminated fields.
The TWRC is also set to launch a feasibility study for a $20-million recreation centre on the portlands that could be ready for 2009, Pitre said.
sports fields planned for the portlands won't be ready for use this summer
$20-million recreation centre on the portlands that could be ready for 2009
Does anybody know where the sport fields and rec centre are located?
Also if you are interested:
The Port Lands present an unprecedented opportunity for waterfront revitalization ©¤ approximately 350 hectares of largely underutilized land with exceptional waterfront access and within a 20 minute walk of downtown.
Join Toronto Mayor David Miller, Ward 30 Councillor Paula Fletcher and representatives from TWRC and our partners at the City of Toronto, TEDCO and the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority for an open house and bus tour of the Port Lands where you can see first hand the initiatives that are planned and underway in this remarkable part of Toronto¡¯s waterfront.
Come learn about:
TWRC¡¯s Port Lands Implementation Strategy
Lake Ontario Park
New Outdoor Sports Fields
Naturalization of the Mouth of the Don River
Leslie, Cherry and Unwin Greening
Expo 2015 Bid
And many more revitalization activities
Details:
When? Saturday, April 29th, 2006 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
(There will be a short ceremony and presentation at noon)
Where? Toronto Hydro Cafeteria ¨C 500 Commissioners Street (Corner of Commissioners and Carlaw), 2nd Floor.
Driving? Parking is available in the guest lot beside the Toronto Hydro building main entrance.
Traveling by TTC? Take bus 172 from Union Station and walk east from Munition Ave or bus 83 from Danforth Station down Leslie and walk west from Leslie and Commissioners.
For more information, please contact Kristy Findlay at 416-214-1344 ext 248 or
kfindlay@towaterfront.ca.
Come see, learn and give input on the future of Toronto's Waterfront
