Media Advisory - Witness the making of a new model community by YMCA of Greater Toronto

Partnering with Waterfront Toronto, Infrastructure Ontario and the Province of Ontario to create a 82,000 sq. ft. Centre of Community to serve young families, low-income groups, visible minorities and immigrants

TORONTO, May 21, 2013 /CNW/ - The YMCA of Greater Toronto is hosting a VIP and media event to celebrate the "topping off" - the roof installation - of a new YMCA on Cherry Street, currently under construction as part of the CIBC Pan Am/Parapan Am Athletes' Village. "Topping off" is a significant construction milestone that signifies the building has reached its highest point.

At the event, the YMCA of Greater Toronto will unveil how the organization is creating a new model community from the ground up, to help youth and adults lead healthier, active lives in the growing West Don Lands community.

The plan is part of the organization's ten-year expansion strategy announced in January 2013. See news release.

When: Wednesday May 29, 2013, 11 a.m. - 12 noon ET

Where: YMCA Cherry Street location

Direction: Media registration site in the parking lot, located on the southwest corner of Front Street East and Cherry Street

Media spokespeople:

• Tim Penner, Vice Chair YMCA of Greater Toronto
• Michael Cooper and Krystal Koo, Strong Start, Great Future Campaign Major Donor

Tour and photo opportunities:

Children from the neighbourhood will express their vision of a healthy community to be stored in a time capsule.

A guided tour will begin at 11:30 a.m. for photo opportunities from the vantage point of the newly installed rooftop of the YMCA Cherry Street location followed by a tree-planting ceremony to mark the 11,000 sq. ft. green roof.

Meeting the needs of a growing community

The new YMCA will serve the West Don Lands community, a diverse neighbourhood comprised of young families (30%), visible minorities (41%), immigrants (34%) and low-income groups (16%) and George Brown College students. This community is also expected to increase 13.5 % by 2020.

SOURCE: YMCA of Greater Toronto

For media registration, guided tour and one-on-one interviews, please contact:
Monique Daniel, Porter Novelli
Office: 416-422-7161 | Cell: 905-781-0758
[email protected]