The information on these pages is excerpted from a feasibility study commissioned by the City of Toronto. The city hired Oleson Worland and Taylor Smyth, two leading Toronto architectural firms, to conduct the study.

The study was presented by the City of Toronto at a community meeting held on Oct. 7, 2003 and again at the Roncesvalles-Macdonnell Residents’ Association meeting on Nov. 25, 2003.

The presentation was made to the community to provide an update on the findings of the Wabash Community Centre Feasibility Study, that was carried out in 2003 by the Policy and Development Division, for the Parks and Recreation Division, Economic Development, Culture and Tourism Department.

The purpose of the study was to test the feasibility of developing a community centre on the site at 40 and 50 Wabash Avenue, by exploring three different development scenarios, testing each one for program fit, and developing capital cost estimates for each scenario.

It is anticipated that the information presented at these meetings will serve as a basis for further discussion between the community and the Parks and Recreation Division, regarding the potential development of a community centre facility on the Wabash site.

Scenario 1
Renovation and Addition
Estimated cost: $20.7 million

Scenario 2
New Building
Estimated cost: $21 million

Scenario 3
Renovation only
Estimated cost: $13 million (no pool facilities)

Feasibility Synopsis:

a) under the Zoning Bylaw, a municipal community centre is permitted as an ancillary use to Sorauren Park

b) the economies of reusing the existing building will only be realized if it is used efficiently

c) a newly constructed building could provide purpose-built spaces with optimum adjacencies, and

4) a reduced program without any aquatic components can be accommodated in the larger existing building.


About the architects:

Oleson Worland has been lead architectural firm or partner firm in the following projects, among others:
• the urban park in Yorkville Village
• Downsview Park (with Bruce Mau)
• North Toronto Community Centre
• St. Lawrence Community Centre
• Older Women’s Network Co-op
• Woodgreen Community Housing extension

Taylor Smyth has been lead architectural firm or partner firm in the following projects, among others:
• Glen Park Public School
• FH Miller Junior Public School
• North Toronto Station Restaurant
• Abitibi-Consolidated Offices
You can see a portfolio of the company’s work at www.taylorsmyth.com

To download the PDF document of the full feasibility study, click here.

Warning: This is a big file (7.9 MB). This may take long to download, depending on your internet connection.