A message from Brooke Biscoe,
Chair, Leaside Gardens Board of Management

1 November 2010

Our goal of opening a second ice pad at Leaside Gardens moved one big step closer this past month as the City of Toronto named the architectural firm that will oversee the design phase of the project. My purpose with today’s email is to update you on the hiring of the architect, invite you to the upcoming public consultation meeting and advise you of several other items related to arena expansion.

Architects for arena expansion have been selected

As you know, it was the generous financial contribution from a community family wishing to remain anonymous that enabled your arena board to persuade the City of Toronto to move forward with tendering for an architect. Ten qualified bids were received and members of the expansion committee worked closely with city officials to review the bids. Last week it was made public that the firm of WGD Architects Inc. of Toronto has been awarded the contract. You can read more about the firm at their website www.wgdarchitects.com. The firm’s principals Richard Dabrus and Brian Gregersen have already met twice with the expansion committee’s project working group and we are pleased with the speed with which they have hit the ground and the anticipated timelines as we move forward.
Public Consultation Meeting November 30th

As a follow up to the initial information meeting on May 5th, the expansion committee will host a second public consultation meeting on Tuesday, November 30th in the William Lea Room at 7 p.m. at which the architects and city officials will be present. This will be a chance for our user groups and the local Leaside and East York community to learn about the process, make suggestions, raise concerns and, generally, to have input into the new facility within the parameters of location, design and cost that have already been set. We invite the leadership teams of the LSC, LHA and TLGHL to attend this meeting and urge you to pass the word to your members and parents. Our goal is to keep our key stakeholders fully informed and involved every step of the way in the days and months ahead.

Fundraising Campaign – Volunteer Required

We will provide more details about the upcoming fundraising capital campaign in the near future. In the meantime, we are searching for a candidate to fill a key volunteer role on the campaign. This person will act as a part-time administrator, arranging meetings, keeping track of commitments made and donations received, and generally working closely with the campaign cabinet and fundraising team throughout the duration of the campaign. It is our hope that a person with the necessary skills and enthusiasm to fill this role in a part-time, volunteer capacity may be found among the members and friends of our three main user groups. For further information or to express your interest, please contact expansion committee chair Paul Mercer at pmercer@mercermyers.ca.

Arena Board Vacancy

Finally, I want to advise you that there is currently one vacancy on the Leaside Memorial Community Gardens Board of Management. The arena board is currently accepting applications from interested community members to fill this vacancy. Please send your letter and/or résumé to my attention at the arena office 1073 Millwood Road TORONTO, Ontario M4G 1X6 or email me at leasidegardens@on.aibn.com. The deadline to submit your application is 5 p.m. on Thursday, November 18th. Interviews will be held the evening of Monday November 22, 2010.

Thank you for your time. And please do not hesitate to contact me at any time with your comments or suggestions.

Regards,

Brooke Biscoe
Arena Board Chair.