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The curtain went up this week on the Toronto District School Board's (TDSB) master plan for the redevelopment of the old Lakeshore Lions Memorial Arena, and to that goes a big round of applause.

Our praise goes out to the school board and trustee Bruce Davis not only for their efforts to fill south Etobicoke's desperate need for recreational facilities but also for the engaging way they've gone about doing it.

The 50-year plan is estimated to cost about $30 million and includes revitalizing the high school campus of Lakeshore Collegiate and transforming the Lakeshore Lions Memorial Arena into a community health and fitness facility. New gyms, dance studios, squash courts, an indoor running track, fitness centre and change rooms are in the blueprints. Don Russell Park is set to become a 'village green' to accommodate outdoor recreation, dog walking, basketball and a children's splash pad. The plan also speaks to new soccer and football facilities for use by the high school and community sports teams.

For all of the years this proposal has been in the works, the community has been actively engaged along the way. Trustee Davis has welcomed input from residents, local youth and community organizations and it's input he's received - both positive and critical. Despite the mixed reviews the plan has had during its development, the fact that reviews were solicited at all, and taken into consideration, is what counts. Those leading other community development initiatives would do well to learn from the transparency, open dialogue and partnership that has propelled this project forward.

Monday night's meeting at Lakeshore Collegiate was the latest public consultation on the new community centre and Davis used it as an opportunity to update those in attendance and also address concerns he's heard from area residents.

The community centre concept presented Monday was put together by Davis and a community revitalization panel whose members include local students and administrators, community members and community organization representatives, local business people, a Lakeshore Lions Arena representative, and city officials. Prior to the meeting, flyers were distributed throughout the community and those unable to make it were invited to e-mail or call Davis directly with their comments.

Though not yet a done deal - the TDSB still needs to secure funding for the project, solicit requests for proposals, and get the city's final blessing - this centre and the collaboration it took to get it off the ground is something of which the community can be proud.