Item - 2015.EX5.10

The Executive Committee recommends that:

1.  City Council direct the Acting Executive Director, Social Development, Finance and Administration, in consultation with the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation, General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration, the Moss Park Arena Board and Councillors for Wards 27 and 28, to undertake a due diligence review in partnership with The 519 project team to determine the viability of redeveloping Moss Park including all current uses of the site and a new 519 Sport and Recreation Centre.

2.  City Council direct the City Manager, the Deputy City Manager and Chief Financial Officer, the Acting Executive Director, Social Development, Finance and Administration and the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation to report to City Council in September 2015 with an overall project plan developed in partnership with The 519 project team that includes the proposed structure of a Development Board, community consultation strategy, governance model and funding model for The 519 Sport and Recreation Centre project and the redevelopment of the Parks, Forestry and Recreation Facilities.

This report provides an update on The 519 Sport and Recreation Project and seeks approval to undertake a due diligence review for a new site located in the Moss Park community, including the site occupied by the John Innes Community Centre. The originally proposed project site at Eastern Avenue and St. Lawrence Street has been determined to be unsuitable for the proposed project.

The 519, with the support of a major private philanthropic donor, is proposing to build the first ever LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual, Transgendered, Queer)-focused Sport and Recreation Centre in Toronto. The City of Toronto is currently working with The 519 and the donor to develop a project proposal and parameters for a Development Board that will oversee the planning and execution of the project.