Residents in the Six Points neighbourhood have been alerted to a public meeting next month in regards to the construction of two large condo highrises being planned for their area.

Revised planning applications have been filed to the City by Amdev Property for bylaw zoning amendments at 4 – 8 Beamish Dr., and 8 – 26 Jopling Ave. S., near the Kipling subway, GO Station and Islington City Centre.

The proposals call for the construction of a 31-storey and 34-storey towers connected by a four to six storey podium inclusive of two-level townhomes.

The 31-storey building will have 329 residential units and the taller tower some 750 residential units and parking space for 438 vehicles in a below-grade parking garage, according to documents filed to the City.

The plan calls for community space on the ground floor and open public space accessible outside.

A four-level underground garage includes 361 resident spaces, 75 visitor spaces, and two car-share spaces. An additional 563 bike parking spots are proposed between the garage and the ground floor.

The public virtual meeting will take place on November 3 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. It will take place by phone or online only. Residents are urged to submit their questions ahead of time.

For more information or to log one visit www.toronto.ca/cpconsultations

The proposals will have to obtain a greenlight from the City before work can continue.

Long Branch book lovers will have to use another branch of their favourite library.

Staff of the Long Branch Public Library, at 3500 Lake Shore Blvd. W., say they will be closed from October 17 for four weeks for important roofing and HVAC repairs.

All programs and activities for the next month are cancelled, according to the library website.

Cancelled programs includes; New Toronto Book Club, Talk About Books and Think, Dream and Paint among others.

Staff said holds on books or other material can be returned to any branch of the Toronto Public Library.

The branch, which was opened in 1955, (see photo) features collections in English and Polish. It has a local history collection, an art exhibition place, seating for 47. It includes 11 computer workstations, after-hours book-drop, Wi-Fi access and is wheelchair accessible.

The Toronto Public Library provides free and equitable access to services which meet the changing needs of Torontonians.

Other nearby public library branches in the area includes the New Toronto Public Library, at 110 Eleventh Street, Mimico Centennial Library, at 47 Station Rd., and Humber Bay Public Library, at 200 Park Lawn Rd., just north of The Queensway.

The branch is expected to reopen in late November.

Thanks to donations from South Etobicoke residents work has begun to help rebuild a floating school that will educate poor children in Nigeria.

The famed Makoko Floating School, which was attended by about 100 children, was destroyed following a storm in 2016.

Since then efforts have been underway to help raise funds and re-design a new school, to be located in a Lagos lagoon, which is described as Nigeria’s floating slum.

The school, when completed, will cater to students who were previously denied education due to frequent flooding in the area.

“The school we want to fund will provide education to about 400 children, some of the poorest children in Lagos,” according to a Go Fund Me campaign.

Jonathan Millard, who is from the West Deane Park area, helped with the Go Fund Me drive in which organizers were hoping to raise about $50,000.

Much of the school will be built with recycled or repurposed materials rather than it going to a dump. The school will utilize about 250 plastic barrels to float on the water and plastics will be used to make bricks to support the structure.

The sustainable features includes solar cells on the roof, rainwater catchment system and composting toilets.

The floating school design has won several awards including one for emerging architecture and was shortlisted for the London Design Museum’s 2014 Design of the Year award. It also received a nomination for the 2015 International Award for Public Art.

Millard, who lived in Lagos, learned of the school from Headmaster Noah Shemede.

He returned to Canada and spoke to the Rotary Club of Etobicoke and others to help obtain funding to rebuild the wooden facility.

School officials say construction of the floating school music hub has begun and is slated for completion by December.

“It is expected to promote music, dance, art and other creative industries in African and the diaspora,” according to their website.

Etobicoke-born Millard, who is a graduate from Martingrove Collegiate, attended Carlton University in Ottawa where took part in a study abroad program at the University of Ghana in West Africa and developed a passion for work in Africa.

The three-storey A-frame triangular school provides stability and balance in heavy winds. The structure can also be used for community events, clinics, markets and social gatherings. The classrooms are located on the second tier and are partially enclosed with adjustable louvered slats.

Alderwood became a busy place on Saturday night as police were called to handle a Second World War-era explosive device found at a home.

About six homes were evacuated on October 10 around 9:30 p.m. in the Dunning Crescent and Westhead Road area, near Brown’s Line and the Gardiner Expressway, police say.

A number of local roads were closed as members of the Toronto Police Explosives Disposal Unit conducted an investigation, which lasted for almost two hours.

Police said later the device was a depth charge and it was safely removed from the dwelling.

Police say the device appeared to have been inert.

No charges were laid.

Dozens of U-boats and submarines were destroyed by depth charges during the First and Second World Wars.

Good news for the many residents who order beer, wine and spirits as part of their takeout orders.

It is hoped the service will help struggling bars and restaurants in our community survive.

The Ontario government says the takeout booze, which was introduced to help licenced bars and restaurants keep afloat in a battle against COVID-19, will continue.

While all of the various emergency orders put into place as part of the state of emergency will be lifted, it appears that takeout booze is here to stay.

Associate Minister of Small Business and Red Tape Reduction Prabmeet Sarkaria on Wednesday said the provincial government is working on the necessary legislative changes to permanently allow restaurant and bars to add beer, wine and spirits to takeout orders going forward.

“We have had the opportunity to hear from small businesses and restaurant owners that were impacted by this pandemic and this has been a measure that has really helped them so we are committed to making it permanent,” Sarkaria said.

The plan includes a commitment to permanently allow 24/7 deliveries to retail stores, restaurants and distribution facilities.

It also promises grants of up to $1,000 to help small businesses in the service sector with two to nine employees offset the cost of acquiring Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

The total cost of that program to taxpayers is pegged at $60 million.

These are the businesses that have been the hardest hit from a cash flow perspective and they need the support to help cover these expenses, government officials say.

 

By REJEAN CANTLON

If you are a Mimico minor lacrosse fan or have watched the Mimico Jr. A Lacrosse team over the last few years, you know the last name Thomson. Tim and Amanda Thomson raised 4 boys, all of them have a love for this game that goes beyond passion. All have played for Mimico since they were Tykes. All have had great success within the game with older brother Tanner being selected to play in the National Lacrosse League (box lacrosse indoors vs teams like the Toronto Rock) and the Major Lacrosse League (field lacrosse played outdoors in the US) last year. Last month, it was the youngest Thomson’s time to shine. Finlay Thomson received a scholarship to the University of Michigan, arguably one of the most prestigious public universities in the US.

“As coach at various levels I have had the good fortune to be surrounded by some very talented players,” said Mimico Jr A Head Coach, DJ Clevely. “Finlay is without a doubt the most talented lacrosse player I have ever been around and had the opportunity to coach. Truly the sky is the limit for Finlay in whatever he decides to do. I am extremely proud of him on his recent commitment to the University of Michigan.”

Finn, as his team-mates know him, credits his 3 older brothers for pushing him to succeed in the sport they all love.  “Lacrosse was brought upon my oldest brother and from then on, our family didn’t look back. Watching my brothers do great things in the arena and on the field brought my parents’ great joy.”  The University of Michigan was an obvious choice for Finn, for one, “it’s super close for my family and friends to come watch a game. Michigan’s also top tier university for academics and historic significance,” said Thomson. He added that one of the most enticing reasons he chose Michigan is the “the facilities, staff and vision Michigan has for the lacrosse team. They really invest in their athletes and make sure they are treated properly.”  Young Finlay is certainly proud of his choice including the campus and the environment that lies ahead for him.

Last season Finn received the Bob McCabe Award for most Outstanding Graduating Box Player and the Barb Cormier Award for Most Outstanding Graduating Field Player. There is a reason Michigan picked him up so early. Mimico and South Etobicoke salutes Finlay and wishes the Thomson family every success. Go Blue!

By REJEAN CANTLON

It’s a popular expression within the road hockey crowd. For those who do not happen to know people who play Canada’s national winter sport on the street, “GAME ON” is a common term used during a game that has been interrupted to signal it is time to continue. “GAME ON” is often preceded by the term “CAR”.

Isaac Brown, a 11-year-old Long Branch road hockey expert explains it this way. “It’s easy. You yell “CAR”, then you move the nets and get out of the way. When the car passes, you yell, “GAME ON” to let everyone know it’s time to come back and play.”

For many South Etobicoke hockey players, “GAME ON” is something that they have been longing to hear since their season was prematurely cancelled early this year due to the outbreak of COVID-19. On September 1 the Greater Toronto Hockey League (GTHL) announced their return to play Game Plan that outlines timelines, protocols and procedures for the up-coming 2020-21 ice hockey season.

In the GTHL’s online document there are five periods or steps to their return to play Game Plan. It is not until the final step where minor hockey will look somewhat the same as it did last season, pre-COVID. That final step is being referred to as “Overtime” which is set for no earlier than December 1, 2020, although there is no guarantee that will happen by then.

The Game Plan started early last month with step 1, the “Warm-up” where parents could register their children to play with reduced players on the ice surface amongst other social distancing protocols.

The next step has been coined the “1st Period”. This is where team selection/grouping of players will start, yet they will still be not be competing with other teams. Then “2nd Period” will advance on October 7th to have teams playing against other teams 3-on-3 or 4-on-4. This will include local house-league clubs like Mimico, Faustina and Humber Valley. The “3rd Period” is scheduled to see an increase to 5-on-5 play.

Throughout all of these first 4 steps the GTHL’s plan discourages spectators from cheering or yelling during play. In addition, the number of people allowed to watch these young athletes will be restricted by the province’s Reopening Ontario Act.  Finally, the last step, the “Overtime” period is billed to see hockey “return to normal” with inter-branch play and no spectator restrictions.

The GTHL admits that “hockey is going to look different in the next few months” and that the process will “provide a unique opportunity to focus on many of the positive things that hockey can do for our community.”  Young ​Isaac is certainly looking forward to yelling “GAME ON” on the ice with his friends and team-mates on the Reps AAA Elite Hockey Club as soon as possible.

 

There are calls for more racial equality in the treatment of non-white City residents by police.

And Toronto Police say they are quickly marching towards equity for all on the force in response to a second interim report by the Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC) released this week.

The Toronto Police Service and its Board say they have undertaken initial steps towards reform and is creating an Equity, Inclusion and Human Rights Unit staffed by ‘subject-matter experts’ for the implementation of best practices in human rights and supports training to officers.

“It strives for the delivery of bias-free services and offers guidance to service members to learn and practice diversity and inclusion,” says a joint August 10 Toronto Police and Board response to the OHRC report.

Police say the Unit and staff funding were approved by the Board in May 2019.

The force also approved a Race-based Data Collection Policy Strategy for the promoting of equity, fairness and non-discriminatory police service delivery.

“The Service began collecting and analyzing race-based data with a focus on data related to use of force,” police say.

There will be more anti-Black Racism Training, with officers “learning about implicit and explicit bias and lived experiences that affect the Black community in relation to systemic discrimination and policing.”

The OHRC released its report as part of an Inquiry into racial profiling and racial discrimination of Black persons by Toronto police. The Inquiry began in November 2017.

“The Board takes seriously the significant work the OHRC has done, the need to consider it thoroughly, and to take action,” says Board Chair Jim Hart. “We are committed to working with the OHRC, in partnership with the community to move forward together to address the issues we are facing.”

“We are continuing to work on ensuring that equity and anti-racism are built into all of our policies and practices,” said Toronto Police Interim Chief Jim Ramer.

The issues were brought to the front-burner following the deaths of Regis Korchinski-Paquet and George Floyd by Minneapolis police and later protests.

The proposals will be voted on by the Board at its August 18 and 19 virtual meetings.

 

It is one of our nice parks that is being made even better for residents.

An online survey of Tom Riley Park has been extended one week to August 30 at midnight.

The City of Toronto is improving the playground at Tom Riley Park and is seeking your input to make sure the improvements meet the needs of the community.

City officials say the redesigned playground will include large themed playground equipment, accessible pathways, additional seating and a rubber-like play surface.

It will not include the area around the playground, nor will there be any new water or lighting features.

The City is conducting a online survey to gather feedback from community members at the start of this redesign process. The results from the survey will be used for the creation of three potential playground designs. These design options will be presented to the community for feedback later this year.

The playground at Tom Riley includes: two swing sets with four swings, a medium size slide, junior climbing structure and sand under all play area. It also has a bench and two picnic tables.

The 14.8 hectare park at 4725 Dundas St. W., near Islington Ave., follows Mimico Creek to Bloor St. W. The park features a lit ball diamond, a multipurpose sports field, six senior and five junior tennis courts, a children’s playground and an allotment garden. Located at the south-east end of the park is the Memorial Pool & Health Club and Central Arena.

The 10-minute survey is accessible at https://s.cotsurvey.chkmkt.com.