‘Already achieving expectations’
The community centre also has lounge areas, computers, pool tables, TV and gaming for kids and a rooftop garden with containers that both children and adults can use to learn about gardening.
“It’s so popular that during the soft opening we had in June, 500 area residents came out and we filled our summer camps within the first hour,” says Howie Dayton, director of community recreation for the city of Toronto.
“Parkway Forest is a high-density area, especially with Emerald City, so we have many families and individuals coming in requesting tours, asking about fall programs and renting space. It’s already achieving, if not exceeding, expectations in terms of utilization and the public response.”
Located right in the middle of Emerald City, Dayton isn’t surprised the community centre is already this busy.
Condominiums create vertical cities without private yard space, he says, “so to access a park, gymnasium, fitness centre just by walking a block or two is great for the community. Many residents are new Canadians, so it also helps with socializing.
“If you’re new to the country, we often partner with settlement agencies and these agencies provide workshops right in our community centres. It helps people bridge their first few years in the country. We even have senior services.”
The community centre also offers teens and young adults a DJ program, movie nights, discussion groups and other outlets designed to teach life skills.
Emerald City’s latest residential phase is Fifth on the Park, a 24-storey tower with 263 suites comprised of one-bedrooms, one-bedroom-plus-flexes and two-bedrooms that range between 488 square feet and 818 square feet.
Emerald City’s clear contribution to the community has been the Parkway Forest Community Centre.
And although it’s focused on the smallest and youngest residents, the YMCA Child Care Centre is earning high praise.
“Parents who have children in our care can’t thank staff enough for what they do,” said Natasha Rajaratnam, senior director of Parkway Forest YMCA Child Care Centre.
“Even families coming in for tour events: I hear how happy they are to know we exist in this community. We give children the opportunity to be in a stimulating learning environment. Cognitive, physical, emotional and social development is so important.”