Roadways and Rollercoasters: A Tale of Batting Cages and Bike Lanes in Etobicoke Centre
Feb 23 2024
In the heart of Etobicoke, a park once celebrated for its Centennial Park Mini Indy & Diamond Beach Batting Cages, finds itself in the aftermath of a controversial decision made by the city to close down both businesses as part of the on-going Centennial Park Master Plan rebuild.
Over the past six months, followers of this blog have witnessed the spirited fight to preserve these cherished spaces. Last summer, a petition urging the city to change course garnered over 25,000 signatures, both online and on hard copy paper. Despite the community's impassioned plea, the petitions presented to council in October were met with resistance, with local Ward 2 Councillor Stephen Holyday refusing to discuss the matter with business owners and residents in his ward.
In an unexpected turn, Deputy Mayor Amber Morley of Ward 3 presented the petition in the October council meeting, shedding light on the duty of a Toronto Councillor to present resident petitions, regardless of personal agreement. Councillor Holyday's refusal to engage with the issue showcased a neglect of his duty to represent the concerns of his constituents to the city and other members of council as it was a matter in his ward and a request from members of the community. As an aside - in early November I was speaking with city officials and I discovered that no matter what the Councillor thinks of the petition, they are expected to present it to the council, therefore from that conversation I was able to see that Ward 2 residents should have been able to rely on Councillor Holyday to follow this duty.
Early December arrived and so did the bulldozers, the area is still undergoing the flattening of the land to make way for the two new baseball diamonds primarily designated for permitted organizations. A recent virtual public consultation highlighted the contentious nature of the removal of both businesses. Staff and consultants categorized the former businesses as "amusements" and expressed the city's intention to move away from that model in the park's redesign.
While the city has proposed a smaller version of a batting cage for groups permitted to use the new diamonds, the community's dissatisfaction was palpable during the consultation. Councillor Holyday's recent request for a report to assess the feasibility of adding a public batting cage amusement to the park reflects a partial acknowledgement of the community's concerns. However, this request fails to address other grievances voiced during the session, including the removal of the Go Karts and the absence of amenities such as a place to purchase drinks and snacks (which were available at the Mini Indy).
While the potential addition of batting cages is a positive step, it should not overshadow the fact that their removal remains a point of contention. The hasty decision resulted in the loss of over 60 local jobs, a revenue decrease of over a quarter of a million dollars in property taxes for the city, and the addition of two baseball diamonds primarily catering to permitted organizations rather than local residents.
The lingering question for the city and Councillor Holyday is why the removal of elements cherished by the community for over 30 years was executed without wider consultation or consideration of the long-term impact. The reality is a lot of money has been spent and at a point when the city needs to be fiscally responsible, was this demolition a smart money decision in the first place?
As the community seeks answers, it becomes evident that the closure of Centennial Park Mini Indy & Diamond Beach Batting Cages goes beyond the loss of amenities; it's a reflection of a disconnect between decision-makers and the community they serve.
You can have your say by clicking this link:
https://secure.toronto.ca/council/agenda-item.do?item=2024.IE11.7
Hit the “submit comments” tab at the top.
If you prefer hit the tab “request to speak” to speak to the committee members, you can speak virtually or in person, the choice is yours.
More Ward 2 Updates
On Wednesday, February 28, at Etobicoke CI on Montgomery Road, Councillor Holyday is set to host a public consultation on the city's bike lane plans for 2024-2027, starting at 6:30 pm.
In light of recent remarks by Councillor Holyday characterizing a "War on Cars" in the city on CP24 earlier this month, receiving an email announcing a public consultation on bike lane plans was unexpected. As someone deeply passionate about road safety in Etobicoke, particularly for pedestrians, transit users, and cyclists, this sparked my interest. While many in our community drive daily, it's essential to recognize that we are all vulnerable road users at various points throughout the week.
Let's find common ground. Speed and distracted driving pose significant dangers in Etobicoke, discouraging many from cycling on our local roads. It's crucial to acknowledge these concerns while exploring solutions to create safer streets for everyone. Councillor Holyday's statement suggesting a "War on Cars" felt personally insulting. As a longtime Etobicoke resident who has never driven a car, I navigate our community on foot or using transit during the week, reserving car trips for the weekends. Safety is a shared priority – for drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists alike.
While there are groups opposing projects like the Bloor Complete Street Project, it's crucial to foster open dialogue. Those with differing opinions on bike lane plans are encouraged to listen to the perspectives of those advocating for equal rights on the road. Everyone deserves the right to cross streets without fear and to enhance local infrastructure to promote cycling as a viable mode of transportation. In many meetings those who support this change get rude comments yelled out by those who oppose and lets be honest, that does not benefit anyone or any group.
The changing seasons underscore the urgency of addressing climate change. In Toronto, biking is increasingly becoming a year-round mode of transport. As we adapt to the reality of our changing climate, discussions around bike lanes and road safety take on added significance. Let's work collectively to ensure our streets are safe and accessible for everyone, regardless of their mode of transportation.
In light of Councillor Holyday's voting record at city council, particularly regarding votes against VisionZero and other road safety initiatives, this public consultation provides an excellent opportunity for residents who prioritize safer streets to engage with their councillor. It's a chance to enlighten and communicate that many in our vast ward do in fact want to see more cycle lanes and improvement at dangerous spots including many major intersections. Many local residents I have spoken to in my work over the lats year or so do in fact desire the ability to ride to other parts of the city while leaving the car at home more often – a goal achievable with responsible infrastructure investments, a responsibility that falls on the shoulders of city officials, including councillors.
As we collectively navigate the future of road safety and cycling in Etobicoke, this public consultation stands as a crucial platform for engagement and positive change. Let's work together to build safer, more accessible streets for everyone in our community.
Again this conversation starts at 6:30 pm on Feb 28 at Etobicoke C.I.
Hello Jennifer,
Will you speak to the Committee? I have signed up for the Baseball item.
Hi Adam,
I won't be able to speak this time due to prior commitments BUT I will be writing to the committee and request that the letter be made available on the site. Also planning to CC to all members on exec so that the background is understood when this gets to council next month!