It was during now-federal NDP Leader Jack Layton's years as councillor for the riding of Toronto-Danforth that the idea for the Zhong Hua Men Archway came into being.Nearly a decade has passed since Layton and a group of local Chinese businessmen and community members came together in Pearl Court to start the ambitious project, which will see an ornate Chinese archway welcome visitors to Toronto's East Chinatown along Gerrard Street East.
"This little community of Chinese family businesses is really quite remarkable. It's an island of Chinese culture and enthusiasm in the midst of a big city that's always changing," Layton told The Mirror at the recent groundbreaking. "I've been very honoured to be a part of (the archway) from the very day we sat around a table in Pearl Court having a little dim sum talking about what we might do."
What started as a dream slowly became a reality. First with the painting of a mural representing the archway on the east side of Broadview Avenue just north of Gerrard St. E. Then two Chinese lions - brilliant white sculptures weighing several tons each - were set into place at 573 Gerrard St. E., leading into the parking lot that will soon be an anchor point for the Zhong Hua Men Archway.
As the celebrations got underway, fireworks cracked through the afternoon air, members of the Doan Lan Linh Son troupe danced in lion costume eating ceremonial lettuce tied to a backhoe, and those in attendance celebrated.
"The lettuce is an offering to the lion spirit," Cheung told The Mirror via a translator prior to the event. "It symbolizes that the project and the community is going to (have) luck in the future."
With the groundbreaking now official, construction will begin on local artist Dale Cheung's vision for an ornate archway that will include panels recognizing the contributions of Chinese railway workers in building Canada's railway.
"I am happy to be with you during the groundbreaking after more than nine years of hard work and the sheer determination of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce," Cheung, who is also president of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce, told the crowd. "Through these nine years we have gone through a lot of struggles, and because of the determination of the chamber and the entire community we are seeing the start of construction."
Despite a day where the sky seemed destined to remain overcast, perhaps even pour, the sun came out as dignitaries, politicians and members of the East Chinatown community turned the soil to commemorate the groundbreaking. A point not missed by many who would pick up the microphone, including current Ward 30 (Toronto-Danforth) Councillor Paula Fletcher and provincial NDP leadership candidate and Beaches-East York MPP Peter Tabuns who commented on the auspicious event.
"No one should be surprised (the sun came out and) that the first China gate in the GTA is right here in East Chinatown because this community, the Chinese Chamber of Commerce ... have always taken a pioneering roll in this city, never sitting back, always thinking where this city has to go," said Tabuns. "It's your pioneering spirit, your commitment to making this community more beautiful, more prosperous, healthier that have helped build this city."
Former NDP MPP for the riding of Toronto-Danforth, Marilyn Churley, was also on hand. She played an important role in getting the archway project rolling while serving in provincial government.
"The archway is very important to the Chinese community," she told The Mirror. "As a former MPP I was involved with getting this going along with then-city councillor Jack Layton years ago. It's going to bring a lot of tourists here, it's the only one in Toronto and in Ontario so I think it'll be a great tourist attraction and more people into the community."