Leaside Arena Expansion Project
More ice time for more kids closer to home.
22 May 2012
Dear Neighbour,
The City of Toronto has accepted a qualified bidder to build the second rink at Leaside Gardens and construction should begin this summer.
Our community has been working towards this goal for many years. So I am thrilled finally to be able to say with complete confidence that the new arena will be built! Our young people will be able to skate and play hockey on the twin rinks of Leaside Gardens for generations to come.
I am writing to thank you for the part you played in making this happen, and to let you know what we expect will happen next.
First, we could not have reached this milestone without the generous support of the local community. Our funding agreement with the City called for $2.5 Million to be raised locally – and you came through. More than 900 individuals, families and businesses have donated so far. Thank you for your generosity!
Fundraising will continue through the construction phase. This is because we have project costs that are not fully covered in the construction contract, and because every dollar we can raise now is one less dollar that we have to borrow. Your donation today will help reduce our financing costs and will help keep ice rates down into the future. So, if you have not yet contributed to this project, please consider doing so. If you donated in 2011 and are willing and able to do so again in 2012, we thank you for your continuing commitment. The response card (link) may be mailed back to the East York Foundation, which is issuing receipts for all donations, or be dropped off at the arena.
You are invited to a Ground-Breaking Ceremony and Community Barbecue in the arena parking lot on Saturday, June 16th beginning at 11 a.m. This will be a big celebration, and everyone of all ages with an interest in the arena expansion project is encouraged to attend.
Finally, we expect that construction will take about twelve months and are hopeful the new rink will be ready in time for the start of the season in September 2013. If you have any questions or comments, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Thank you again!
Sincerely,
Paul Mercer, Chair
Leaside Arena Expansion Committee.
P.S. : I would like to use the opportunity of this letter to publicly thank all those community members who have put in countless volunteer hours on the arena board, the expansion committee, the fundraising committee or the build committee during the years that this project has been in the works, and to thank Councillor John Parker and all the officials at City Hall who have worked tirelessly to get it approved. Thank you for your dedication to our community.
Dear Neighbour,
The City of Toronto has accepted a qualified bidder to build the second rink at Leaside Gardens and construction should begin this summer.
Our community has been working towards this goal for many years. So I am thrilled finally to be able to say with complete confidence that the new arena will be built! Our young people will be able to skate and play hockey on the twin rinks of Leaside Gardens for generations to come.
I am writing to thank you for the part you played in making this happen, and to let you know what we expect will happen next.
First, we could not have reached this milestone without the generous support of the local community. Our funding agreement with the City called for $2.5 Million to be raised locally – and you came through. More than 900 individuals, families and businesses have donated so far. Thank you for your generosity!
Fundraising will continue through the construction phase. This is because we have project costs that are not fully covered in the construction contract, and because every dollar we can raise now is one less dollar that we have to borrow. Your donation today will help reduce our financing costs and will help keep ice rates down into the future. So, if you have not yet contributed to this project, please consider doing so. If you donated in 2011 and are willing and able to do so again in 2012, we thank you for your continuing commitment. The response card (link) may be mailed back to the East York Foundation, which is issuing receipts for all donations, or be dropped off at the arena.
You are invited to a Ground-Breaking Ceremony and Community Barbecue in the arena parking lot on Saturday, June 16th beginning at 11 a.m. This will be a big celebration, and everyone of all ages with an interest in the arena expansion project is encouraged to attend.
Finally, we expect that construction will take about twelve months and are hopeful the new rink will be ready in time for the start of the season in September 2013. If you have any questions or comments, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Thank you again!
Sincerely,
Paul Mercer, Chair
Leaside Arena Expansion Committee.
P.S. : I would like to use the opportunity of this letter to publicly thank all those community members who have put in countless volunteer hours on the arena board, the expansion committee, the fundraising committee or the build committee during the years that this project has been in the works, and to thank Councillor John Parker and all the officials at City Hall who have worked tirelessly to get it approved. Thank you for your dedication to our community.
Leaside Community reaches initial $2.5 Million goal to get City Council Approval
Fundraising efforts continue.
April 2012
Our funding agreement with the City called for $2.5 Million to be raised locally - and you came through. More than 900 individuals, families and businesses have donated so far. Thank you for your generosity!
Fundraising will continue through the construction phase. This is because we have project costs that are not part of the construction contract (for example arena furnishings and signage), and because every dollar we can raise now is one less dollar that we have to borrow. Your donation today will help reduce our financing costs and will help keep ice rates down into the future. So, if you have not yet contributed to this project, please consider doing so. If you donated in 2011 and are willing and able to do so again in 2012, we thank you for your continuing commitment. You can contribute by clicking the "Donate Now" button at right.
If you would like to discuss a potential donation or major gift, would like information about naming opportunities, or would like to avoid the 3.9% processing fee charged by Canada Helps for donating on-line, please contact Expansion Committee Chair Paul Mercer or Revenue Generation Committee Chair Charlene Kalia at Contact Us.
"It is with great pleasure that I send my donation to the building of a second arena. From 1986-96, I was a member of the Leaside Skating Club and I spent countless hours practising and performing at that rink. Although I no longer reside in Toronto, I realize how important it is for kids and adults to have access to enough ice time." - Lenka Zemanek
- You will have the option to allocate your funding to the LHA, TLGHA, LSC, or the overall fundraising effort by selecting the appropriate fund/designation.
- To donate by cheque or cash, please fill out the pledge form (see below), and mail it along with your donation to:
The East York Foundation
50 Merritt Road
East York ON M4B 3K6
- To inquire about making a gift of securities, please contact Gordon Piercey 416-258-4761.
- Click here to download a list of Donor Naming Opportunities
- Click here to download a copy of the Donor Pledge Form.
"Congratulations! I am excited about this new arena for the community. My children and grandchildren skated at the arena. I live near the ‘Gardens’ and I’ll be watching this wonderful project when the digging begins!" - Gordon Champion
Financial Contributions in support of the Leaside Arena Expansion Project will be handled by the East York Foundation
East York Foundation
The East York Foundation was established in 1964 by an Act of Provincial Parliament to enrich the cultural and recreation lives of the people of East York. In 1967 when the Town of Leaside came together with the Township of East York to form the Borough of East York the Act was amended to reflect the new community. As an Act of Provincial Parliament the Foundation endures today even though the municipal entity of East York no longer exists. The Foundation provides the people of the former Borough of East York a unique opportunity to raise funds for this and other exciting community projects
The East York Foundation is empowered to accept donations on behalf of the Leaside Gardens expansion and provide a tax receipt . This type of community support is consistent with the historic relationship that the East York Foundation has had with Leaside Gardens in the past. When the arena raised money for a new roof, and the community funded the replacement of the Arena’s seating, the East York Foundation facilitated the donation process.
Your gift will continue this strong tradition of community members working together to make our community vision a reality.
