This message is to all Totally Awesome Hockey Moms and Totally Awesome Skating Moms and their partners and spouses who are looking for a Mother's Day gift idea. Do you know a mom who has stood frozen in skating arenas watching her kids skate? Now is your chance to leave your mark by placing a name for $250 (charity receipt provided) on a chair in the Bert F. Grant Arena in a designated area for Totally Awesome Hockey Moms and Totally Awesome Skating Moms. Your kids will feel proud of all the hours that their moms have put in for them to enjoy hockey and skating – through snowstorms, traffic jams, car pools, leaving work early, going to work late. It’s quick and easy to donate using Canada Helps Organization in this link http://www.leasidearena.com/donate.html All donations will receive a charity receipt from East York Foundation. Act now! Christmas is at our doorstep!
The pylon sign is available to rent. All inquiries should be directed to the Leaside Memorial Gardens office at 416 421-4944.
Our Donor Wall is a testament to the generosity of many people who donated over $500. At present, we have raised $3.1 million. There are still opportunities to donate to the facility so we can reach our goal of $3.5 million. The Donor Wall has five levels: Platinum - $250,000 - $1,000,000 Gold - $50,000 - $249,999 Silver - $10,000 - $49,999 Bronze - $1,000 - $9,999 Wood - $500 - $999 In June, 2014 the Donor Wall will be changed to reflect the following:
If you wish to alter a name that is currently on the Donor Wall, please email [email protected]. THEY KICK STARTED IT ALL: Peter and Cathy Clark donated $1 million in 2010 to help build a second ice rink at Leaside Memorial Community Gardens. On hand for the cake cutting are Don Valley West MP John Carmichael, left, and Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne and Councillor John Parker, at right. The Leaside couple whose anonymous $1 million donation in 2010 kick started the fundraising campaign for the Leaside Memorial Community Gardens’ second rink has come forward for the first time.
Peter and Cathy Clark were on-hand Oct. 5 with about 500 other people when they were thanked by Arena Expansion Committee chair Paul Mercer during the opening ceremonies for the new rink. “They took a risk when none of this was guaranteed,” said Mercer, “because they believe that sport plays a key role in the health and well-being of young people.” After years of planning and private fundraising, the much needed ice surface in Toronto will be available for hockey and figure skating as of this weekend. Mark McAllister reports. Global Toronto by ALLAN WILLIAMS on FEBRUARY 1, 2013 When the expanded Leaside Gardens opens this fall, the original ice surface will be known thereafter as the Bert F. Grant Rink in recognition of the $250,000 legacy gift made by his three children in his honour. by LORNA KRAWCHUK, PUBLISHER, LEASIDE LIFE on FEBRUARY 1, 2013 Did you know that of the 52 ice pads in Toronto, only four of them recently have broken even or made money – and Leaside Memorial Community Gardens is one of those four? Quite an achievement! Dear Friends, This is my first email update to our Leaside Arena users and friends since being appointed as chair of the Leaside Memorial Community Gardens Board of Management on January 1st, 2013. I would like to use this opportunity to thank our outgoing arena board chair, Brooke Biscoe, to give you a brief update on expansion and fundraising, to let you know about the 4th annual Laugh out Loud in Leaside event on Friday, February 22nd, and finally to provide an update on the pool closure. A big "Thank-You!" to Brooke Biscoe Brooke Biscoe served as chair of the arena board from January 1st 2010 until the end of 2012. It was during this time that the Arena Expansion Project went from the dream of the community to the concrete and steel reality that is now rapidly taking shape beside the original rink. Brooke has put in countless hours during this time meeting with municipal officials, potential donors, architects, contractors and community members in a determined pursuit of building the second rink. This is all in addition to his regular responsibilities as board chair related to the current arena, pool and banquet hall. On behalf of the arena board and, indeed, the entire Leaside Gardens community, I extend a sincere and heartfelt "thank-you" to Brooke for his dedication, hard work and leadership over the past three years. Brooke will now serve on the board as past chair and his experience and knowledge in matters related to the expansion project continue to be available to us. An Update on the Second Rink and on Fundraising Construction has moved forward quickly over the past few weeks and no-one driving by the arena can any longer doubt that the second rink will soon be a reality! The community fundraising goal of $3.5 Million is within reach as we recently passed the $3.1 Million mark. This means we have just under $400,000 still to raise between now and the summer to achieve our goal. It is not too late to donate! Donations in any amount will be gratefully received. And there remain a number of naming opportunities for those who may be considering a major gift. As you may know, when the expanded Leaside Gardens opens in the fall, the original rink will thereafter be known as the Bert F. Grant rink in recognition of the major legacy gift made by his three children in his honour. The second rink has not yet been named. If you would like to have this new rink named for your company or in honour of a family member, please contact me or a member of the fundraising committee. Fourth Annual Laugh out Loud in Leaside - Fundraiser for the Second Rink The Fourth Annual Laugh-out-Loud in Leaside comedy fundraiser, with all proceeds going toward the community fundraising goal of the Arena Expansion Project, will be held on Friday, February 22nd at 7:30 p.m. at Fantasy Farm (Pottery Road in the Don Valley between the Bayview Extension and Broadview Avenue). Each of the first three LOL in Leaside events has proven to be a great evening of good food, music and laughs, and each has also proven to be a successful fundraiser. Charlene Kalia of the arena board is again taking the lead in organising this event. Our thanks to Charlene and her volunteer team for their unfaltering dedication to the cause. A flyer with more details is attached. I hope you will join us on February 22nd. Leaside Pool Closure Update The repairs to the pool's damaged ceiling has recently begun and the arena board has been informed by the City of Toronto that it will take approximately six weeks to complete. We estimate that the pool will reopen sometime in late March. Please do not hesitate to contact me at any time with your comments or questions regarding the programs and activities at Leaside Memorial Community Gardens. I may be reached through the arena at 416-421-4944 or by contacting me directly at [email protected]. Best wishes for a successful 2013. Sincerely, Ray White, Chair of the Board of Management Leaside Memorial Community Gardens.
On Saturday morning the Leaside Arena Expansion Committee officially broke ground to begin construction of the second rink at Leaside Gardens. The ceremony was hosted by AM640 Radio host John Oakley -- a local Leaside resident -- and included members of the expansion committee, local politicians from all levels, and representatives from the construction company and the City of Toronto. The presidents and a current player from each of the Leaside Hockey Association, the Leaside Skating Club and the Toronto Leaside Girls Hockey Association also participated.
Expansion Committee Chair Paul Mercer thanked all the donors and volunteers who have worked on this project for so long and who helped get to this point of breaking ground. Arena Board Chair Brooke Biscoe said that the original Leaside Gardens was built through the volunteer financial contributions of Leaside Residents more than sixty years ago and also thanked the city officials who have worked on the project. Charlene Kalia thanked the family of Bert F. Grant which has just made a major donation of $250,000 and announced that the existing rink will be named in his memory when the new facility opens. MPP Kathleen Wynne said that infrastructure is more than just roads and bridges, it's also community facilities like the arenas and said she was pleased that the province was able to be involved by loaning money to the project. Local Toronto Councillor John Parker said this was a great model for future community projects and thanked all those City officials who worked so hard. MP John Carmichael said he was pleased to have been personally involved with the fundraising committee and focused on the volunteer effort needed to complete a project like this -- he presented Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medals for volunteer service to Paul Mercer, Brooke Biscoe and Charlene Kalia. The City of Toronto has awarded the contract to build the second rink to Aquicon Construction and it is expected that construction will begin in July with the new rink being ready for use beginning in September 2013. Description of the attached photo: "Participating in the Ground-Breaking Ceremony for the second rink at Leaside Gardens were from left: Kathleen Wynne, MPP for Don Valley West, Paul Mercer, Chair of the Leaside Arena Expansion Committee, Brooke Biscoe, Chair of the Arena Board, John Parker, Councillor for Ward 26, and John Carmichael, MP for Don Valley West." Credit for the photo goes to Hiep Vu. Quick Facts: - The Arena Board and user groups at Leaside Gardens have been talking about building a second rink at least as far back as 1999. - The City of Toronto purchased the property of the former Ontario Film Review Board in 2010 on which the new rink will be built. - The Expansion Committee committed to raising $2.5 million from the local community in order to get City Council approval. - The rest of the funding for the project comes from a $7.5 million loan from the City to be paid back from future operating revenue, and a $1.5 million loan from Infrastructure Ontario. - Community fundraising will continue through the construction phase of the project to reduce financing costs and keep ice rates down into the future. For further information, or to arrange an opportunity to speak with spokesperson Paul Mercer, contact: Allan Williams, Chair, Community Relations Committee of the Arena Board: [email protected] or416-467-6335 (mobile), or Contact Paul Mercer directly: Paul Mercer, Chair of the Leaside Arena Expansion Committee: [email protected] or 416-464-2156 (mobile) 31 May 2012
To all friends of the Leaside Arena Expansion Project, We are pleased to report that the City of Toronto yesterday approved the award of the contract for the Leaside Arena Expansion Project to Aquicon Construction Company Ltd. This was one of the final steps before construction can begin which we expect will be in July. In the meantime we invite you to join us on Saturday, June 16th at 11 a.m. for the Official Ground Breaking Ceremony and Community Barbecue. The ceremony and barbecue will take place on the former Film Review Board property near the Curling Club and this area can be accessed either on foot from the arena parking lot or directly from Millwood Road -- when driving towards the Leaside Bridge, enter at the driveway just before the railway underpass where some parking will be available. We look on this day as a community celebration and everyone interested in the second rink at Leaside Gardens is invited to attend. We especially encourage you to bring your kids -- the current and future members of the LHA, LSC and TLGHA who will benefit most directly from the new rink in the years to come. Hockey players are encouraged to wear a Leaside jersey. For more information visit www.leasidearena.com or call 416-421-4944. We hope to see you on Saturday, June 16th at 11 a.m. Sincerely, Brooke Biscoe, Arena Board Chair, and Paul Mercer, Arena Expansion Committee Chair. |
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