ACC Toronto and St Catharines Gets Funding
THE ARMENIAN COMMUNITY CENTRE TO RECEIVE $2,000,000 IN JOINT FEDERAL-PROVINCIAL FUNDING
The Armenian Community Centre of Toronto will benefit from a
joint federal and provincial investment of $2,000,000, which will go towards the
rehabilitation of the centre, under the Recreational Infrastructure Canada program in
Ontario (RInC Ontario) and Recreation Ontario (Ontario REC) announced by Bob
Dechert, MP Mississauga Erindale and David Caplan, MPP for Don Valley East.
“Our government is proud to support recreational infrastructure,” said Dechert.
“Investments in these types of projects stimulate the economy, enhance local facilities
and services and foster vibrant, dynamic communities. This is truly wonderful news for
the Armenian Community Centre of Toronto,” said Dechert.
“The McGuinty government is pleased to support the Armenian Community Centre as it
helps build a more inclusive and welcoming province for us all.” Caplan said. “For over
30 years the Centre has served the Armenian community in the GTA –totalling over
30,000 people– and I’m pleased that this funding will help renew, expand and upgrade
the facilities here at the Centre.”
“The Armenian Community Centre of Toronto is used by many residents of the GTA. It
has been scheduled for major renovation. This funding will expedite that renovation and
create much needed jobs now.” said the President of the Armenian Community Centre,
Mr. Ara Kerjikian.
Gerry Phillips MPP for Scarborough-Agincourt joined MP Dechert, MPP Caplan, Centre
President and other members of the Armenian Community Centre this evening to
celebrate the funding announcement.
“The Armenian Community Centre has been a very active facility providing great
services to the community. This funding will help the Centre continue to play this
important role,” said Phillips.
"The McGuinty Government continues to work in partnership with our communities and
the federal government to renew and improve our recreational space in Toronto," said
Brad Duguid, MPP Scarborough Centre. "The funding to this community centre will
realize short term economic benefits and in the long run, provide an up to date facility
that will continue to provide top notch services."
This is part of 758 projects announced on June 26th by Minister of State (Science and
Technology) Gary Goodyear, on behalf of the Honourable Tony Clement, Minister of
Industry, and Ontario Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Leona
Dombrowsky, on behalf of George Smitherman, Ontario Minister of Energy and
Infrastructure, worth a total joint federal and provincial investment of more than $380
Million.
These programs were designed to provide a timely, targeted stimulus to the economy
through investments that will spur construction activity related to existing recreational
infrastructure. Beyond economic stimulus and job creation, renewing, rehabilitating and
modernizing our recreational infrastructure has the additional benefit of encouraging
higher levels of participation in physical activity and community building.
Projects were selected on the basis of merit and construction readiness.
Armenian centre lands funding from Ottawa and Queen’s Park
Posted By Don Fraser, Standard Staff
The Armenian Community Centre is a unifying force for the community and a well-used gathering place.
But it hasn’t always been geared to young people, who have few amenities there.
“A gym is badly needed,” said Sevag Belian, 15, who attends the centre.
“Our community’s growing, there’s more youth coming and I think a new gym will meet our needs,” Sevag said.
A funding commitment is set to make that happen.
The St. Catharines centre is receiving $458,333 each from the federal and provincial governments through the Recreational Infrastructure Canada program in Ontario and Recreation Ontario.In the joint federal and provincial announcement Thursday at the centre’s Martindale Road site, organizers said the money will go to a new gym, play area and other major upgrades.
The centre is paying the balance of the $1.375-million project through sources such as fundraising and a mortgage.If all goes well, the work could be complete by late 2010 or 2011.
“It is an exciting day for us here,” project co-ordinator Gary Kavazanjian said at the announcement. “The board of directors has been working on a plan for renovations and creating an addition to the existing building for quite some time.”
The centre, which has about 200 members, has deep roots in the area’s Armenian community.It traces itself to a local Armenian club started in 1906.By 1934, the community centre, known as the Tashnag Club, moved to a building on Ontario and Carlton streets. In the late 1980s, that site was sold.After a couple of moves, the Armenian Community Centre opened at its current building in 1991. Over the years, the structure has aged, its quarters have become cramped, and upgrades are needed.Among them are modernizing parts of the building like its electrical and ventilation systems and making it more wheelchair accessible. A new playground and gym will also be built to the rear of the property. Also planned is the possible relocation of office space to a new second floor.
The project will also be built to top environmental — LEED-certified — standards, wherever possible.
“We believe our future lies in our youth, and our task at hand is to make our community centre more child and youth friendly,” said centre board chair Joseph Kassardjian.
“We are doing this for our children’s future — let’s get to work.”
St. Catharines MPP Jim Bradley told told centre members they’ve been a “close-knit and strong community.” “You’ve also been this way to those outside the community who are able to use this centre,” he said. Kassardjian said the public will be able to use the new gym, but booking details have yet to be finalized.
The centre can also be rented by the public for events like weddings.
Work on the project could begin this fall.
Article ID# 1659693