The Six Points area is undergoing a major wave of revitalization
with much construction and condo building now underway.
Soon a new Etobicoke City Hall will be constructed there, along
with a gym, library and city affordable housing will
join the Islington City Centre neighborhood.
The latest developer to tap into the area is EllisDon
Developments, which has proposed a massive multitower complex planned                                                  for 56-60 Fieldway Road, called
Arcadia District Condos, which runs south of Bloor
Street W., between Kipling and Islington Aves.
The mixed-use condo proposal will contain three four
towers ranging from 12, 23, 34 and 42 storeys with over
1,300 units combined. Sales will begin in October for the
units.
“Etobicoke’s strategic location on the western edge of Toronto
provides easy access to the city’s downtown core and major
employment centers,” the company said, adding it is close to Highway
27, Gardiner Expressway, subways, GO Transit and Pearson
Airport.
It is walking distance to the Islington Subway and amenities include a
4,000 square-foot gym, a 4,500 square-foot working space, spa, a
children’s play room, infinite pool and hot tub, 26,000 square-foot park,
bicycle storage space for every unit and underground parking.
There will be a day-care centre for 70 kids and 14,000
square-feet of retail space for shopping.
“Etobicoke offers a rich tapestry of cultures,
communities, and amenities from picturesque waterfront
areas to bustling urban neighbourhoods,” EllisDon said
in a press release. “Residents enjoy a diverse range of
parks, recreational facilities, dining options, shopping
centers and entertainment venues.”
The first building, a 34 storey tower, is expected to be
ready for occupancy by late 2027 or early 2028.
EllisDon is not new to the area and is already building a 36
storey tower, 459-unit condo and townhouse complex at
Thirty Six Zorra, just south of The Queensway,
between Kipling and Islington Aves.
EllisDon Developments is an industry leader in construction services
worldwide. With over 70 years of experience, more than 4,000 employees and
$5 billion worth of construction volume annually. It is a major
player across a wide range of projects.

When Detective Tom Comeau (above) is not fighting crime, he’s
scaling the world’s tallest mountains to raise money for charity.
The 51 Division Toronto Police Service detective recently
travelled to Nepal where he climbed Mount Lobuche
East Peak, with an elevation of 6,119 metres. It is
located about 150 kms east of Nepal’s capital city of
Kathmandu and lies near the foot of the Khumbu
Glacier, near a Mount Everest Base Camp.
Despite bad weather, Comeau became the first Toronto
Police officer to climb Mount Lobuche, (below) one of the
world’s tallest mountains.

“That went really well,” the detective told police
spokesman Ron Fanfair. “It was a seven-day trek into
the mountain and then me and my group of four
summited in one push.”
The group left from about 5,400 metres from their camp
and got there about five hours later.
Because of snow and high winds in the Himalayas,
Comeau was unable to climb the Ama Dablam peak.
Now, with Mount Lobuche under his belt and Mount
Ama Dablam at 6,813m, Comeau has a new goal of
scaling Dablam.
The officer made the climb to raise funds to support
mental health.

Comeau raised $12,000 for Toronto Beyond the Blue, a
charitable organization that strengthens and supports
police service members, both uniform and civilian as
well as their families.
He started another Go Fund Me campaign with the aim
of raising another $5,000 for Toronto Beyond the Blue
when he attempts to climb Chimborazo (6,262 metres)
and Aconcagua (6,960) in Ecuador next January.
“Raising money for Toronto Beyond the Blue to help
them continue their conversation about the importance
of good mental health is a natural fit and I enjoy doing it,” he said.
“I think everyone has ‘mountains’ in their lives
that need summiting,” Comeau told Beach Metro
Community News. “For some of my colleagues,
their mountains are working through their
post-traumatic stress associated with the work we do serving the
community. It can be crippling.”
He was congratulated for his fundraising efforts by
colleagues on social media.
“Congrats on the climb and raising money and
awareness on the importance of mental health,” wrote
Gail Gonsalves.
“Well done JT Comeau we are all proud of you!!!!,”
said Sean Sportun.
And “Congrats on your journey,” wrote Pat Quigley.
You can donate to Toronto Beyond the Blue at their
website www.torontobeyondtheblue.com/donate or to
Comeau’s climb at www.gofundme.com/f/torontobeyond-the-blue.
Files by Ron Fanfair and Beach Metro Community News.

A well-established 50-year-old ‘Class A’ bingo charity is
setting up its tables in the community.
A proposal has been submitted to the City to relocate
Delta Bingo & Gaming from St. Clair Avenue East to
360 Evans Avenue, near Kipling Avenue, according to
documents filed.
“Our new location will provide a fresh new facility
increased accessibility and exposure for potential new
customers,” Delta Bingo CEO Shawn Fisher wrote to
city officials. “Our business will be able to provide a
facility for the 67 local charities and not-for-profit
organizations to continue their fundraising.”

Fisher said the new 44,000 square-foot
former McCarthy Uniform location (bottom photo) on Evan’s Avenue is
already zoned for use as a bingo hall.
Fisher told officials that Delta Bingo Inc. has been operating
charitable bingo facilities in Ontario for more than 50years, and was located on
St. Clair Avenue for more than 25. The company has
61 full time and part time employees and will add
more in their new space.
“The City of Toronto receives up to $600,000 annually
in fees,” the City was told. “This new location with
improved exposure will draw in new customers to
the bingo as well as the surrounding businesses.”

Prior to the pandemic, the Delta Bingo St. Clair
Sponsor’s Association, distributed more than
$3,000,000 annually in proceeds to its member organizations.
“These proceeds are then used by the charitable
members to help them fulfil their mandates by providing
needed programs and services within the municipality of
Toronto,” according to Delta Bingo.
Delta iGaming Inc. last May launched Delta Bingo
Online, currently the only iGaming website
in Ontario’s regulated market and which features slot
themes and a commitment to local charities.
Officials said Delta Bingo Online is the only active,
licensed iBingo provider in the province. Fans can now
enjoy their favourite game online against other real-time
players for guaranteed prizes.

 

Its final.

The popular go-kart track, batting cages and beach volleyball courts at
Centennial Park are being closed in two months.
The attractions were told they have to be out by November 30 as the city begins to
implement its 2021 master plan for the park, which was recently updated.
According to the plan, the changes will happen in phases and will see the city’s
second largest park equipped with new large playground, cricket pitches, pickle ball
courts, a new water play area, stadium bubble, skate trail and skate area, new
baseball and soccer hubs and multi-use sport courts.
Some 20,000 people have signed a petition to stop the changes which will affect
about 65 people who work at the facilities.

Mayor Olivia Chow and city officials last month with shiny shovels broke ground to begin construction of 725 new homes, including 218 affordable rentals, on City owned land in the Six Points area.
The project at 5207 Dundas Street West is the first Housing Now site to turn soil to create mixed income
communities that was a hot topic during the mayoral election campaign.
The plan would bring 24-and 17-storey mixed-use purpose-built rental apartment buildings to the
intersection, with towers featuring designs by Henriquez Partners Architects.
Their podiums would form a courtyard designed by acclaimed Montreal-based landscape architects Claude Cormier et Associés, best known locally for their work
on the dog fountain at Berczy Park.
“As the new Mayor, I’ve made building more affordable housing a top priority,” Chow said. “I welcome other orders of government to partner with us as we endeavour to build even more                        affordable housing for the people of Toronto.”
The City, in partnership with CreateTO, Kilmer Group and Tricon
Residential, is supporting the delivery of this project as part of the
Housing Now Initiative, which Toronto City Council approved in 2019                                                               to activate City-owned lands  to stimulate the development of affordable rental housing
within transit-oriented, mixed-income, mixed-use and complete communities.
The site will deliver 725 residential homes, including 30 per cent affordable rental homes,                       218 units, and 507 market rental homes. Rents for affordable homes will
range from 40 per cent to 100 per cent of the Average Market Rent (AMR).
“I’m excited to welcome this Housing Now site to Etobicoke-Lakeshore, and I know                                  this site will make lasting impact on our community. I can’t wait to
welcome our new neighbours into their homes,” said Ward 3 Councillor Amber Morley.
The development will include a mix of unit types from one-bedroom to four-bedrooms. It will also include retail uses providing amenities and services to support
residents’ needs and public spaces for community gatherings and events.
Long known as ‘Spaghetti Junction,’ the City invested $77 million to decommission                                    the former Six-Points Interchange, which was replaced by a new network of
streets, unlocking almost 18 acres of land and creating
seven blocks for redevelopment.
Also planned for the area is the new Etobicoke Civic Centre, a Toronto Public Library                         branch, gym and new
City parks. A nearby proposed Six Points Plaza Redevelopment will see 45, 43,41, 36, 25 and 8-storey
condos at Dundas Street West and Jopling Avenue.

First-term Ward 3 councillor Amber Morley (above) has been given a big promotion
by Mayor Olivia Chow who appointed the South Etobicoke native as deputy
mayor representing Etobicoke.
Morley was also appointed to sit on the powerful and influential Toronto Police
Services Board (TPSB).                                                                                                                                            Chow (below) said her appointments are intended
to reflect her commitment to a “deeply collaborative style of leadership and a
renewed purpose to deliver the kind of
change that the people demand.” Councillor Jon Burnside, a former cop,
was also named to the TPSB.

Morley stunned the community and made a name for herself in October 2022 by
defeating long-time Councillor Mark Grimes for Etobicoke Lakeshore.
Ausma Malik is the statutory deputy mayor of Toronto, Councillor Mike Colle
is deputy mayor for North York, Coun. Jennifer McKelvie, who served as former
mayor John Tory’s statutory deputy, is deputy mayor of Scarborough.
McKelvie is also chair of the Infrastructure and Environment
Committee and as a board member of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities
(FCM), where she will push for more robust funding partnerships with other
levels of government, Chow said.
Malik was elected in 2022 and has been one of the most vocal opponents of the
province’s controversial plan for the development of Ontario Place, which is in
her ward of Spadina–Fort York.
All four deputy mayors will also sit on Chow’s executive committee, the city’s
most powerful committee that sets key priorities and discusses big-ticket items.
Coun. Shelley Carroll is chair of the budget committee. The city hall veteran
steps into the role as Toronto faces a nearly $1.5-billion budget shortfall and
projected deficits of billions of dollars in funding for state of good repair projects.
“I’m proud of this new Toronto team, a team that reflects the city it serves. One
team deeply and single-mindedly focused on the people’s priorities and
building a city that is more affordable, safe and caring — where everyone
belongs,” Chow said in a letter.
Morley for more than 20 years has been working on behalf of the residents of
Etobicoke-Lakeshore, while pursuing advocacy at all levels of government. She
used her voice to bring attention to issues such as poverty reduction, youth equity,
good governance and access to city spaces and services.
She was a former Director of the South Etobicoke Youth Assembly at LAMP
CHC for many years.

More than 100 wild birds and animals were found dead and more are being
rescued from Mimico Creek following fire retardant entering the wastershed
from a massive six-alarm chemical fire in North Etobicoke.
Wildlife officials are warning area residents not to eat fish from Mimico
Creek or the waters of Humber Bay Park due to a thick chemical substance
floating on the waterways, which was in the process of being sucked up by
vacuum trucks.

“Mimico Creek has had a chemical spill from a fire as well
as fire retardant entering the watershed,” officials of them
Toronto Wildlife Centre said. “These chemicals can kill
fish and make fish toxic for consumption.” They said it
can take months before the fish is fit to be consumed by
humans. Centre volunteers have been rescuing birds and
animals which they wash and try to bring them back to life
after they were covered with chemical pollutants.

The fire
started at Brenntag Canada on Vulcan Street, in the Belfield and Martingrove
Roads area, on August 11 shortly before 1:15 a.m. and quickly
escalated. Crews arrived to find several trailers ablaze at the back of a chemical
wholesaler that deals in engine, transmission oils and vehicle fluids as
lubricants and solvents.
More than 100 firefighters battled the blaze for more than 12 hours. “The
run-off from the water used to Mimico Creek, Humber River and other waterways,”                              Centre workers said.                                                                                                                                                      “This potentially toxic substance, sitting about one-inch thick on top of the water,                                            could have a serious impact on local birds and other wildlife.”

 

 

The Jean Augustine Centre cordially invites you to our Look Up! Lift Up! Match Day event on Saturday, August 12th from 11 am – 2 pm at 101 Portland St. in Etobicoke.
Funded in part by the Government of Canada’s Social Development Partnerships Program, the Jean Augustine Centre’s Look Up! Lift Up! Peer Mentorship Program is designed to support the mental health and personal development of girls between the ages of 7 to 17 and young women ages 18 to 30 who identify as Black, racialized or belonging to an underrepresented community within the Greater Toronto Area.
The match day event will be an opportunity for members of the community to learn more about the Look Up! Lift Up! Program and meet the girls and young women who will be benefiting from this initiative.
We are thrilled to be unveiling this brand new program and would love it if you could join us! If you are able to attend, we ask that you please RSVP by emailing info@jeanaugustinecentre.ca no later than Tuesday, August 8.

FROM TORONTO POLICE SERVICE

A Toronto Police member has once again stepped up to help the worsening humanitarian crisis in Ukraine by lending his voice to a charity helping children caught in the crossfire of the war.
On July 25, a book launch was held for 47-year veteran Staff Sergeant Chuck Konkel’s third novel, Who Has Buried the Dead? at Headquarters.
For a month, all proceeds from the sale of the novel will go to Project Soniashnyk (Sunflower), a charity that funds trauma rehabilitation camps for those members of the Ukraine military – many who have been orphaned by the war.
Chief Myron Demkiw said this is another example of the efforts of Toronto Police members to help everyday Ukrainians, which have included gathering and shipping clothing and essential items to the country.

“Our Ukrainian population in Toronto, and indeed across the world, has been deeply shaken by this war and, of course, it has affected many children,” Demkiw said. “Protecting and nurturing children during this challenging time is so important. I’m confident these camps will give children the things that every child should have when they go to camp: a safe place to play, a chance to make new friends and an opportunity to develop as people and develop their leadership skills.”
The Chief noted that many talented Service members take up a variety of impressive hobbies and passion projects in their spare time, but it is remarkable that Konkel has now published a third novel.
…
The historical novel detailing Soviet Imperialism took Konkel nine years to research and write.
“This book turns on secrets,” Konkel said. “One secret is buried in the deep, dark forest of Katyn, Poland and the other is in the pages of a notebook – The Scottish Book – kept in a modest café in Lwow which is an ancient Polish city.”
Konkel, who is of Polish heritage, said he feels obligated to help out the Urkraine as so many other Canadians horrified by the suffering they’ve witnesses in news reports.
“There are innocent people suffering through this war,” Konkel said. “We want to help the victims of the war.”
Proceeds from the book will go to charity when purchased at the police headquarters gift shop (40 College St.) or online via www.whohasburiedthedead.com