Facilities Bookings Procedures in Regent Park

By Dimitrije Martinovic
Dimitrije is staff with FOCUS MEDIA ARTS CENTRE,  funded by the Government of Canada through the Local Journalism Initiative.

The Regent Park Revitalization has substantially altered the landscape of Regent Park with many new buildings and amenities, among them the Pam McConnell Aquatic Centre, Daniels Spectrum, the Regent Park Athletic Grounds and the Regent Park Community Centre.

The Regent Park Community Centre located at 402 Shuter Street, which is operated by the City of Toronto, is a multi-faceted recreational centre with an employment centre, child care centre, athletic field and connects to Nelson Mandela Park Public School. Additionally, it has an extensive array of arts programs, camps, fitness facilities, sports programs, and the centre has some youth-specific programming.

At a recent community meeting facilitated by representatives from The City of Toronto Recreational Services and members from the Social Development Plan(SDP) working groups, residents attended an informational session regarding access to the various facilities that are available to residents of Regent Park.

The meeting was kicked off by Lea Woldegiogis, who is the Access to Space Coordinator for the Community Building Working Group, one of the four working groups of the SDP. Lea explained how she, through the Community Building Working Group, advocates for community members in their needs to have access to space for meetings, recreational activities and celebrations.

Following Lea, Ibrahim Afra and Joel Klassen also from the SDP Community Building Working Group, spoke about role of the SDP in the development of the “Access to Space” initiative. The scope of the project included City space as in the community centre, Toronto Community Housing (TCH) buildings and space availability in other agencies located in Regent Park.

From there Lissette Mejai, the City of Toronto Recreational Programmer, proceeded to unpack the various aspects and conditions that make-up accessing space at the community centre. Among the many points in the presentation covered were how bookings are made, who is eligible, and how the cost of spaces works. For example, bookings fit within certain category types:

* Not for Profit Residents (Children, Adults, OA Adults)
* Not For Profit Non Residents (Children, Adults, OA Adults)
* Family (family gatherings, shower, holiday gatherings, picnics)
* Not For Profit organizations who might have a budget of under $5,000.00

The meeting was attended by approximately 30 or more area residents who represented a broad range of interests, ages, and organizations, with Lucky Booth, Recreational Supervisor with the City of Toronto and a well know figure in the community, giving the final remarks.

The Regent Park community is unique in many ways, but perhaps the term resilience comes to mind most often when talking about Regent Park. The area has faced problems associated with marginalization, low income, unemployment, health and mental health problem, and youth violence, and yet the community risen above all these issues time and again to demand a community that is at its core inclusive, cohesive, and respectful of the diversity that is its fundamental make-up - working together to accommodate the needs of everyone.