Centennial Park Update!
Today, I'd like to provide a brief update on the ongoing efforts to safeguard the Centennial Park Mini Indy and its neighboring Diamond Beach, both cherished local landmarks.
The petition has experienced a remarkable surge in support, with local residents expressing their frustration and concern. Time is of the essence, and we're working tirelessly to ensure that this issue is brought before the October City Council meeting. While this represents a last-minute opportunity, it's not an impossible feat.
To strengthen our cause, I am actively collecting stories and testimonials from local residents. These stories will be compiled into a document and shared with Mayor Olivia Chow and all the councillors on her executive team. While the petition signatures underscore our commitment, these personal narratives will serve to vividly illustrate why the preservation of these landmarks is so vital.
Time is of the essence, and we must act swiftly. If you'd like to contribute to this effort, please send your story or message to theetobicokevoice@gmail.com by Friday, September 22, 2023. Your participation can make a meaningful difference in our ongoing battle to protect these cherished community treasures.
Another way you can help is to send an email directly to Mayor Chow and her executive committee and to help you get started here is an example of a section of a letter I sent on this matter earlier in the week. To find the email addresses go to the end of this recent post.
Four Proposal Concerns:
The first issue is that there is a matter of losing two longtime local small businesses that employ over 60 residents. This is a hard time in history for those looking for employment and many are young or new to Canada. No one wants to see more people out of work especially when a good employer wants to protect those jobs.
Secondly, the loss would also lead to the loss of a local community hub, one that has been able to maintain fun for families for years at consistent low prices making it accessible to so many at a time when many residents of this city are struggling and have had to give up a lot to even just pay rent and feed their families (many Etobicoke Lakeshore residents also support the fight to save these businesses as they are frequent customers too). While many wards have city-run community centres to act as hubs, Etobicoke-Centre was designed without those specific community minded facilities.As a community we have had to make them ourselves.
Another matter to consider is that the owners who lease the land pay a large amount to the city each year and considering such a difficult time the city is having, one must wonder if Toronto would want to give up this income!
One last issue this also brings to light is the fact that the community has been kept in the dark about what the master plan would bring. Councillor Holyday repeats that consultations have been made but with digging I have only found a couple of webinars with perhaps 200 residents at most. I did personally sit in on a Jan. 2023 live update this past winter and asked about the mini-indy and batting cages but my questions were not answered by the consultants leading the update or by Councillor Holyday. Many in the community are currently signing petitions, emailing, and calling because they honestly did not know what was going on. When major changes are made and true consultations are not made in the community the process needs to be re-examined.
Just write from your heart, be respectful, and your words will flow!
I’ll be back Friday with what is happening around Etobicoke this fall because as routines return to normal many local special events are popping up all over our community! Stay tuned …