In terms of deadlines, it could be worse: Canadian Film Centre (CFC) has until March 2011 to spend $7.5 million in stimulus funds secured from the city, the province and the federal government.
However, a neighbour’s recent appeal to the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) has snagged plans to use the money toward repairing, upgrading and expanding the centre’s historic E. P. Taylor site near Bayview Avenue and York Mills Road.
Coun. Cliff Jenkins said that his office has received a notice indicating that the committee of adjustment’s decision to grant CFC the permission needed for its expansion has been appealed to the OMB.
At a meeting held at the film centre a few months ago, Coun. Jenkins said that residents expressed concerns relating to the amount of development that could potentially occur on the site.
“They appear to be a far distance apart,” Coun. Jenkins said of the film centre and the residents.
Barry Patterson, director of marketing and communications at CFC, said that his organization has been consulting with residents throughout the process and has already made concessions as a result.
One new building has been scrapped altogether and the gatehouse addition has been reduced from two stories to one storey. The only other new construction will be to create a one-storey actors’ conservatory on the footprint of the existing pool and cabana.
Patterson said he is confident that the project will move forward.
Slawko Klymkiw, executive director of CFC, said that the $7.5 million plans will address old infrastructure and create new program space while preserving the integrity of the historic site. The film centre continues to fundraise to cover the full cost of the project.
“It will remain this wonderful oasis in the middle of Toronto that I think will bring real joy and real value to both us and the community,” said Klymkiw.