New Civitan arena proposal takes step forward Tuesday

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Residents who stroll the trail along the ravine at Don Mills Road and Hwy. 401 warn a proposed arena threatens the environment.

"If anything, we need more green space, not less, to reduce the carbon footprint," Helen Flanagan, president of the Henry Farm Community Interest Association, told councillors at Tuesday's meeting of North York Community Council.

"I can tell you there is very little support in my community for this project."

The Don Mills Civitan Community Service Club hopes to build a three-rink arena on the southwest corner of Don Mills and Hwy. 401 to replace its aging 47-year-old Civitan Arena on Don Mills Road just south of Lawrence Avenue.

Civitan is offering to raise the funding to build the arena and will then turn it over to the city, although the club would be involved in the operations.

But the arena would disturb the solitude and wildlife that residents enjoy while walking along the "oasis" of the Betty Sutherland Trail, Flanagan said.

"You're going to be penny wise but pound foolish. Thanks to (Canadian singer) Joni Mitchell, are you going to pave paradise and put up a parking lot?" she said, suggesting the arena go in vacant commercial space instead.

The facility would add to the area's traffic woes while bars and restaurants in the facility could be disruptive to neighbours, association past-president Richard Whittle said.

Residents are also frustrated they haven't been consulted about the arena, he added.

Ward 33 (Don Valley East) Councillor Shelley Carroll agreed many of her constituents are worried about the arena.

The area is already under intensification pressures because it sits at the end of the Sheppard subway line and is on a proposed light rail transit route, she said.

Carroll reassured residents they will be consulted about the arena as the proposal makes its way through the city's planning process.

Despite the residents' concerns, the arena did take a step forward, with councillors agreeing to have city staff review the proposal and its funding issues. They will report back to the government and management committee no later than May 12.

Meanwhile, the parks, forestry and recreation department will provide councillors with a report on the merits of the arena, including recommendations, no later than June. 9.

Civitan past-president David Croutch, who is also current president of the Civitan Hockey League, was thrilled with the progress.

"I've got a warm, fuzzy feeling right now. It has been a longtime coming," he said.

"This (location) has been recognized as 'the' preferred site, not 'a' preferred site. I've been given reason to believe city staff have stopped looking (at other potential locations). This is huge."

The service club has spent the last eight years searching for potential sites and putting together its proposal, which includes EllisDon Construction and NORR Limited Architects and Engineers.

"I think this (council's decision) is moving the yard stick forward," Croutch said.

"This is positive. Would I have liked more? Yes. If I had my way, we would have put a shovel in the ground yesterday."

The club still faces challenges, including coming up with as much as $250,000 to fund feasibility studies.

While the club is reluctant to bankroll the studies without a firm commitment from the city, Carroll said paying for the studies would go a long way to convincing councillors the club is capable of raising the money to build the $30-million facility.

Other councillors said a new arena is needed to replace the existing aging Civitan arena and to meet increasing demands for ice time.

"It is vital that we go ahead with this proposal. If not this proposal, then whatever proposal," Ward 26 (Don Valley West) Councillor John Parker said.

"We have to do something to replace that rink. This is an outstanding proposal."