Toronto Community Housing unveils visionary next phase of Regent Park revitalization

Phase three proposal includes new sports facilities with support from the MLSE Team Up Foundation
TORONTO, September 12, 2012—The proposed third phase of the Regent Park revitalization will bring new replacement social housing, market condominiums and state-of-the-art sports facilities to the mixed-income downtown neighbourhood, Toronto Community Housing announced today.
At an event in Regent Park, President and CEO Gene Jones unveiled a map [PDF] of the next phase for the community’s revitalization, which is contingent on approval from the City of Toronto. Jones was joined by representatives of The Daniels Corporation, Toronto Community Housing’s development and construction partner at Regent Park, as well as local elementary school students and representatives from the MLSE Team Up Foundation, the MY Regent Park Project and the City of Toronto.
The new vision includes a proposal for the Regent Park Athletic Grounds, which would be paid for through a fundraising campaign with primary support from The MLSE Team Up Foundation. The Daniels Corporation helped foster the partnership with MLSE for this exciting project.
The state-of-the-art sports facilities would include a new soccer field that could be converted to a cricket pitch, a basketball court and an improved ice rink, which will be refurbished with funding from the Hockey Canada Foundation. Neighbourhood residents would be given priority access to the recreation space, which would be run by a community agency.
In addition to the athletics grounds, the proposed phase three would include three new city streets, more than 550 replacement rental social housing units and more than 2,000 market condominiums. New businesses would also be opened along Dundas Street, bringing services to the community and providing employment opportunities for neighbourhood residents.
Toronto Community Housing is working with development, government and community partners to transform and revitalize Regent Park into a mixed-income, mixed-use community for more than 12,500 residents.
The revitalization is already well underway, with a range of new social housing buildings standing side-by-side with market condominiums, new community facilities including the Regent Park Children and Youth Hub, a range of retail services, and pedestrian-friendly streets reconnecting the community with the surrounding neighbourhoods. The new Regent Park Arts and Cultural Centre and an aquatic centre are slated to open this fall, and a six-acre community park and community centre are currently under construction.
 
QUOTES
“I thank the MLSE Team Up Foundation for their interest in this project and The Daniels Corporation for their continued partnership. This plan, if approved by the City of Toronto, will make a lasting and positive contribution to the Regent Park community by creating facilities for residents to enjoy a diverse range of recreational activities. With access to these new fields, Regent Park youth will have more opportunities to benefit from sports in their own community. I look forward to working with our partners and the community to make this vision a reality.”
“The Regent Park revitalization is unlike anything I’ve seen in my 30 years of working in social housing in North America. We are already seeing the benefits of this visionary project, with residents living in improved social housing side-by-side with neighbours from every walk of life. The community is buzzing with renewed energy and enthusiasm, and I’m confident the revitalization will bring continued benefits to Regent Park residents, their neighbours and the city as a whole.”—Gene Jones, President and CEO, Toronto Community Housing
“Today’s announcement of phase three of the Regent Park revitalization is a critical stepping stone in realizing our shared vision of creating a healthy and vibrant community. We look forward to continuing to work with Toronto Community Housing and the City of Toronto to bring this incredible transformation to fruition.”
“The plans for a brand new soccer field, cricket pitch, basketball court and an improved ice rink to serve the residents of Regent Park will become a reality with the generous support from the MLSE Team Up Foundation. The athletic grounds will help to enhance the lives of people within this neighbourhood by providing healthy sport activities and will also be a dynamic public space for the City of Toronto.”—Martin Blake, Vice President, The Daniels Corporation
“The MLSE Team Up Foundation recognizes the tremendous impact that investments in athletic facilities have on local communities, both socially and economically. Since its inception, our Foundation has focused on investing in our local communities and creating spaces that support breaking down barriers for physical activity participation that benefit children and our city. We’re excited to work with Toronto Community Housing and The Daniels Corporation on this life changing vision and meaningful project for the residents of Regent Park and the City of Toronto.”— Michael Bartlett, Executive Director, MLSE Team Up Foundation.
 
KEY FACTS

  • Toronto Community Housing is replacing all 2,083 rent-geared-to-income units in Regent Park with new units, and building additional new affordable rental and market condominium units.
  • Phase three will cover more than 15 acres on the north and south sides of Dundas Street between Sackville Street and River Street, and Oak Street and Shuter Street. The first three phases of the Regent Park revitalization will cover more than 46 acres.
  • The proposed phase three would include new state-of-the-art athletic grounds, three new city streets, more than 550 replacement rental social housing units and more than 2,000 market condominiums. New businesses would also be opened along Dundas Street, bringing services to the community and providing employment opportunities for neighbourhood residents.
  • Toronto Community Housing, the MLSE Team Up Foundation, and The Daniels Corporation have completed a Memorandum of Understanding, which creates a framework to establish the Regent Park Athletics Grounds.
  • Every Toronto Community Housing household in Regent Park relocated due to construction has the right to return to a new unit being built as part of the revitalization. Any tenants who have to move because of construction will get one year’s notice before demolition and five months’ notice before they have to move.

 
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About Toronto Community Housing
Toronto Community Housing (www.torontohousing.ca) is Canada’s largest social housing provider and home to more than 164,000 tenants with low and moderate incomes—about six per cent of Toronto’s population. Toronto Community Housing and its subsidiaries employ 1,300 staff in a broad range of jobs, who deliver its mission to provide affordable housing, connect tenants to services and opportunities, and work together to build healthy communities.
About The Daniels Corporation
The Daniels Corporation (www.danielshomes.ca) is one of Canada’s preeminent builder/developers with a reputation for quality and integrity in all forms of residential construction. Named the Tarion Warranty Corporation’s 2012 High Rise Builder of the Year and the recipient of the 2012 Toronto Arts and Business Award presented by the Toronto Arts Foundation, Daniels has built more than 23,000 homes throughout the GTA.  Daniels was chosen to partner with Toronto Community Housing to revitalize Regent Park—69 acres in Toronto’s Downtown East. Committed to community, Daniels champions neighbourhood initiatives that enhance residents’ quality of life and supports numerous charities and non-profit organizations.
About MLSE Team Up Foundation
The MLSE Team Up Foundation believes all kids should have access to sport and the opportunity to develop lasting dreams on the playing field. With the support of all four MLSE teams – the Toronto Maple Leafs, Toronto Raptors, Toronto FC and Toronto Marlies – the Foundation funds the refurbishment of local athletic facilities and programs that support kids through sports and recreation. Since launching in December 2009, the MLSE Team Up Foundation has invested more than $6.5 million into our community. For information visit mlseteamupfoundation.org, or follow @TeamUpFdn.

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