Scarborough community welcomes opening of Commons Lounge at McGregor Park Recreation Centre

TORONTO, Oct. 27, 2012 /CNW/ - Councillor Michael Thompson (Ward 37 Scarborough Centre), Roxanne James, MPP for Scarborough Centre, and City of Toronto staff joined members of the community today to officially open the multi-purpose Commons Lounge with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

"The new McGregor Commons Lounge is a great place for people of all ages to meet, exchange ideas and learn about their neighbours and neighbourhood," said Councillor Michael Thompson. "The community now has an innovative place to congregate."

Susan McIsaac, President and CEO of United Way Toronto; Nation Cheong, Director of Community Engagement and Grants for Youth Challenge Fund Toronto; and Karar Jafar, a former member of the Dorset Park Youth Advisory Council, also attended the event.

The Commons Lounge at McGregor Park Recreation Centre was jointly funded by the Government of Canada, the Government of Ontario and the City of Toronto through the Recreation Infrastructure Canada (RinC) Program. The federal and provincial governments each contributed $200,000. There were also contributions from United Way Toronto, the Youth Challenge Fund and the City of Toronto.

"This project, in particular, gives local youth and young adults new multi-purpose sports pads as well as a community lounge that will facilitate a diverse mix of recreational and cultural activities," said Roxanne James. "Our government is proud to have invested in this local project and will continue to make investments in line with our priorities of jobs, growth and long-term prosperity."

"Ontario is proud to support local infrastructure projects that foster economic development and create jobs," said Michael Chan, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport. "Our investments have helped make the Commons Lounge at McGregor Park Recreation Centre a place that people of all ages can access and enjoy for years to come."

"We all know that supporting our young people benefits the entire community," said Susan McIsaac. "This unique space is a result of working closely and collaboratively with all partners. It will be an excellent resource for young people in the Dorset Park Community to develop new skills, share common interests and connect with local mentors and leaders."

The Government of Canada, the Government of Ontario and the City of Toronto have worked together with the community to support the project. The new Commons Lounge at McGregor Park Recreation Centre, which includes a community room and landscaped courtyard, is a dedicated space where the neighbourhood can enjoy an innovative and positive place it can call its own.

The lounge has desks, couches and chairs, as well as an entertainment area with a flat-screen TV and gaming console, among other features. The lounge is ideal for meetings, recreational programs and social events.

The Commons Lounge is located in the McGregor Park Recreation Centre, 2231 Lawrence Ave. E.

This project is one of more than 750 across the province that has moved forward thanks to a joint federal-provincial investment of more than $380 million under the Recreational Infrastructure Canada (RinC) Program in Ontario and the Ontario Recreation Program (Ontario REC). The governments of Canada and Ontario teamed up to make the communities better places to live and encourage higher levels of participation in community building. More information about this initiative is available at http://www.rinc-on.ca.

Toronto is Canada's largest city and sixth largest government, and home to a diverse population of about 2.7 million people. Toronto's government is dedicated to delivering customer service excellence, creating a transparent and accountable government, reducing the size and cost of government and building a transportation city. For information on non-emergency City services and programs, Toronto residents, businesses and visitors can dial 311, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

SOURCE: City of Toronto

Media contact: City of Toronto Parks, Forestry and Recreation media line, 416-560-8726, [email protected]