Item - 2021.EC25.7

The Economic and Community Development Committee:

1.  Received the report (October 5, 2021) from the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation for information.

At its meeting on December 4, 5, and 13, 2018, City Council directed the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation, to initiate a needs assessment for additional community facilities in the Thorncliffe Park neighbourhood and the Deputy City Manager, Community and Social Services, in consultation with appropriate staff, to identify a site or sites which may be appropriate for acquisition for a new community centre in the Thorncliffe Park neighbourhood. In 2019, City Council further directed the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation to consider future facility improvements to the Jenner Jean-Marie Community Centre (CRC) and the potential for additional multi-purpose space to serve the Thorncliffe Park neighbourhood.

This staff report is a response to the above mentioned City Council directions.

The Thorncliffe Park neighbourhood, a Neighbourhood Improvement Area, is a very diverse community, home to a high proportion of immigrant and racialized residents who often face a unique set of barriers. With a mixed population of first generation immigrants, refugees, and longer established minority populations, 73 percent of Thorncliffe Park residents speak a language other than English at home. Thorncliffe Park has a relatively young population where 39 percent of its population is under the age of 24 (compared to 27 percent city-wide). The neighbourhood's population grew 10 percent from 2011-2016 to 21,108, compared to Toronto's average growth of 4.5 percent.

Jenner Jean-Marie is the Community Recreation Centre that serves the Thorncliffe Park community. It is co-located with Thorncliffe Park Library and Thorncliffe Park Daycare and serves as a vital hub for area residents. It is one of the city's 39 Free Centres to provide access without financial barriers to participation. The community's city-delivered recreation opportunities are also served by R.V. Burgess Park, nearby community pools such as Leaside Memorial Gardens Swimming Pool and other nearby community facilities located in Leaside and Flemingdon Park.

As per Council direction, PFR completed a Recreation Programming Needs Assessment with local residents, partners and agencies in mid-2019. More recently in 2021, a site acquisition scan and a facilities review was completed looking at opportunities to improve and/or expand Jenner Jean-Marie CRC to support enhanced programming at this facility.

This report summarizes the results of the Recreation Programming Needs Assessment, changes planned to program offerings at the community centre and other operational and capital recommendations, including enhanced coordination with local organizations and other City divisions on program offerings and the development of a local Recreation Advisory Committee.

Based on the findings of the facilities review, staff recommend prioritizing opportunities to expand the existing community centre in collaboration with other on-site service providers. This is in alignment with the Council Approved Facilities Master Plan Implementation Strategy. Staff will advance a technical feasibility study for the existing Jenner Jean-Marie CRC to determine improvement opportunities as well as the feasibility of future expansion of this facility. This work is planned for 2022 and is currently reflected in PFR's 2021-2030 Capital Budget and Plan. This work will ensure that recreation program and service expansion can be offered to the Thorncliffe Park neighbourhood and will continue to be focused at the Jenner Jean-Marie CRC.