Update:

On April 12, 2011, Toronto City Council declared its intention to designate the Antibes Community Centre a priority centre, subject to the 2012 Budget process.

I have introduced a motion to make the Antibes Community Centre a “priority centre.” The motion will be going before Toronto City Council on March 8, 2011 and asks that “City Council recognize the importance of the Antibes Community Centre in the Westminister Branson priority neighbourhood, and request the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation to report to the Community Development and Recreation Committee on the feasibility of identifying this facility as a Priority Centre.” The motion is being seconded by Ward 25 Councillor Jaye Robinson.

During the election campaign of 2010, I promised residents that I would do everything possible to make sure that Antibes Community Centre programs would be affordable to all. By being a priority centre, the fees are waved for almost all city programs at Antibes.

Although Bathurst-Finch is one of the 13 Priority Neighbourhoods in Toronto, the Antibes Community Centre, is not a Priority Centre. This means that most programs have fees, and these fees continue to go up. In addition, formerly free programs have had fees introduced in recent months and years affecting, in particular, programs for children and youth and lowering participation rates.

A number of exciting improvements are coming to the Antibes Community Centre. These include a new weight lift room, a new all purpose area and a new DJ sound system.

It is important that everyone is given the opportunity to participate in some great free city programs. The area is facing some considerable challenges and it is my responsibility to make sure that program fees are waved.