Looking ahead to 2012 in North York

Looking ahead to 2012 in North York. The new Humber River Regional Hospital should begin to take shape in 2012. Artwork/TCN

The Mirror asked a cross-section of community leaders, including those from the fields of health care, education and community services, to share their thoughts for the community as well as plans for their organization over the upcoming 12 months.

Dr. Rueben Devlin, president of Humber River Regional Hospital

With the shovels finally in the ground for a new $1.75-billion Humber River Regional Hospital after a dozen years in the planning stages, Dr. Rueben Devlin has much to look forward to in 2012 as North America's first fully digital hospital will begin to take shape at Keele Street and Hwy. 401.

"The talking is over and the (construction) activity has started. It is real now. The entire organization is excited," he said.

"It was a long time coming. That was a pivotal day with the groundbreaking (on Dec. 2)."

A fundraising team has already begun searching for individual and corporate donors, who will be asked to help raise the $225 million needed to buy equipment for the new hospital.

"It's all very exciting until you think of all the work we have to do," Devlin joked.

He pointed out the delivery of health care has changed dramatically since the first wing of Humber River's Church Street location was built in 1949, and the new state-of-the-art hospital will reflect that.

The majority of health care delivered by hospitals is on an out-patient basis, which means hospitals need to work closely with communities to promote and maintain health, Devlin said.

"Health care is a continuum that starts in the community," he said. "The hospital is a piece of that, a critical piece."

In that vein, Devlin said Humber River wishes good health and economic prosperity for the community.

"We have a community that certainly needs our help. The economy had been a real challenge and we see that in health care too," he said.

"They can't afford medication and they can't afford other things. That is a challenge for the community. It is a challenge for the hospital."

While the new hospital will obviously focus on patients' health, Devlin said its construction will boost the community's economic fortunes.

About 1,200 construction jobs will be created and Devlin said the hospital is encouraging contractors to use as many local supplies as possible, Devlin said.

Once the campus at Keele and Hwy. 401 is completed, including a provincial forensics and coroner's facilities, about 8,000 people will be employed there.

David Croutch, president of the Don Mills Civitan Hockey League and past-president of the Don Mills Civitan Club

You'll have to forgive David Croutch if his new year's wish is the same as his dream a year ago. And the year before that. And so on.

He wants to find a location to house a new arena to replace the aging one-ice pad Don Mills Civitan Arena at 1030 Don Mills Rd., south of Lawrence Avenue.

The club has offered to raise the money to build the arena and then turn it over to the city.

If a new arena is not ready by the time the old one closes in 2020, Croutch has warned there is a good chance the service club will fold.

The hockey league is the club's largest program, serving 500 children a year, many of them needy.

Despite the high stakes, the hunt for a new location has been stalled for more than a decade.

The issue has come before North York Community Council many times in the last several years but so far no suitable site has been discovered, although Croutch said he's confident a solution can be found in upcoming months.

Meanwhile, the club is looking to further develop its reach into community through initiatives such as expanding the ProAction hockey league with Toronto Police Services and fundraising for community agencies, Croutch said.

The club is coming off a difficult year following the deaths last January of veteran members Ron Holt and Brian McDowell and the death a couple of weeks ago of another veteran member, John Donaldson, for whom the Donaldson's Diamonds hockey club for players with developmental disabilities is named.

While the losses have been difficult, Croutch said the club is looking forward to working with the community in 2012.

"I believe this will be a very productive year for Civitan. If it is a productive year for Civitan, it is a productive year for the community as well," he said.

David Agnew, president of Seneca College

Although it doesn't apply only to Seneca College students, David Agnew pointed out that Ontario students, and the families that support them, will kick the year off right when the provincial government's 30 per cent reduction in post-secondary tuition kicks in.

"That is good news for students," he said.

"The cost of a college tuition is not huge, especially compared to other provinces and institutions, but it is expensive, also taking in living expenses. It is very welcome for students to get a break, so it is a good way to start the year."

Seneca has exciting plans in the works, Agnew said.

For example, the college has just adopted a new master plan that acts as a road map for Seneca over the next couple of decades. The plan calls for replacing buildings that will become outdated over the years.

One of the most anticipated projects from students' point of view is the construction of a new student centre, Agnew said.

While the college's board of governors has passed the master plan, it must now be adopted by the city, which Agnew is hoping will take place in 2012 so Seneca can begin moving forward with its plans.

Early in the new year, the college will name its new teaching and learning centre at its main Newnham campus at Finch Avenue and Hwy. 404.

The 15,000-square-metre (160,000-square-foot) building, which meets gold Leadership In Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards, opened Nov. 4.

It features more than 40 classrooms, lecture halls and labs, a multi-purpose auditorium for 240 students, increased computing commons and library space.

Meanwhile, next September, Seneca will introduce two bachelor of commerce degrees in business management and international business at the Newnham campus.

The government has given approval for Seneca to expand its King campus north of Toronto. Seneca is working with York Regional Police to create a training facility at the King campus.

Seneca and other colleges and universities will continue to draw students during these uncertain economic times, Agnew said.

"Post-secondary education continues to grow. It is a busy time for us, partly because (it is) what people need to succeed and partly because when the economy is soft, as it is now, people will return to school to upgrade and seek new skills."

Mamdouh Shoukri, president of York University

Onwards and upwards is the goal of York University as it heads into 2012, Mamdouh Shoukri said.

The university is already a leader in ares such as business, law, humanities, social sciences and physical sciences.

Now, it is looking to build on those successes.

As part of its goal of becoming a more comprehensive university, York is focusing on building its life sciences, health and applied sciences such as engineering.

"Our strategic objective for the next number of years is to, basically, become a more comprehensive university and a more engaged university with our community," Shoukri said.

Next spring, the university will open an $80-million life sciences building that will house sciences that support areas such as health research, biochemistry and research and development.

"It is a very modern, state-of-the-art building. We're very excited," Shoukri said.

The university is expected to announce in 2012 the site for its future engineering building.

For decades, the university has dreamed of building a full-fledged engineering department, Shoukri said.

Although York is Canada's third-largest university, its engineering department has only 350 students. Students and faculty complain the department lacks an identity and a vision.

On Nov. 1, Pierre Lassonde, co-founder of Franco-Nevada Mining Corp., donated $25 million toward the construction of a $75-million to $80-million engineering building and the development of a comprehensive engineering program.

Last June, the provincial government announced a $50-million contribution.

The 15,000-square-metre (160,000-square-foot) building is expected to be completed in 2014.

The importance of the new engineering program can't be overstated, Shoukri said.

York will take pride in producing engineering students who take advantage of the university's strong reputation in social sciences, humanities and business, he said.

"It will be an agent and catalyst for innovation. And a catalyst for economic development and prosperity for this area of Ontario," Shoukri said.

York also has other projects to look forward to next year.

For example, construction will begin on a new $40-million to $50-million track and field and athletic centre to host track and field and rugby events when the 2015 Pan Am Games come to Toronto. Tennis will be held in the Rexall Centre.

The university is looking forward to fully using its recently renovated law school building.

And at the university's Glendon College, at Bayview and Lawrence avenues, expanded facilities will open next year for the Centre of Excellence in Bilingual Education, Shoukri said.

Meanwhile, he said York will continue to work toward eventually introducing a medical school, a goal that requires approval from the provincial government.

"We have been busy. We will continue to be busy. It is an exciting time for York University," Shoukri said.

Anette Chawla, executive director of North York Harvest Food Bank

North York Harvest Food Bank enters 2012 realizing poor economic times will continue to hurt many vulnerable residents in the community, Anette Chawla said.

"In talking with our clients, we know that times are still tough. A grandmother living with her son and his family explains the difficulty of paying bills on part-time contract work. A single mom who recently lost her job is at her wit's end," she said.

"Our food bank volunteers tell us about the long lineups they've been noticing since the cold weather hit. Given current economic realities, it is clear that the need for food banks will not ease in the new year. In fact, we worry even greater numbers will come to our doors."

North York Harvest is northern Toronto's largest food bank, distributing more than 1.6 million pounds of food through 60 neighbourhood programs.

The food bank is not only concerned with putting food on the tables of its clients; it is also interested in helping to build strong communities, Chawla said.

"Strength comes in numbers, and, for North York Harvest, creating resilient neighbourhoods is as important as collecting canned goods," she said.

"Our pilot community advisory councils are a testimony to this. We've recognized that neighbourhood food banks need to be more connected with the areas they serve. The councils are comprised of an engaged group of residents, and help provide targeted support and outreach."

North York Harvest is committed to connecting with community members, Chawla said.

"In health centre basements and high-rise meeting rooms, we listen to what people have to say about neighbourhood food access. From their words comes a clear picture of how to help," she said.

"Through our work on the ground, we've seen the power of food in building community. North York Harvest's new year resolution is to take this to the next level of engagement and we welcome you to join us."

Iris Fabbro, executive director of the North York Women's Centre

The North York Women's Centre is looking forward to building on projects it launched this year, Iris Fabbro said.

"It has been an exciting year for all of us at NYWC and, as we approach the end of 2011, our thoughts turn to the future and how we can best respond to both existing and emerging community needs," she said.

The centre, which moved from North York to York last year and serves women in both communities, has been providing free programs for women for more than 20 years, Fabbro said.

In 2011, the centre conducted two important initiatives: a project identifying the safety concerns of women, and a community needs assessment.

The results of the safety project will help boost the centre's work in a new community hub scheduled to open at Bathurst Street and Finch Avenue in 2012, Fabbro said.

Meanwhile, the community needs assessment has already resulted in some new and exciting programs, she added.

"It has always been our dream to have a drop-in space for women in the community and we are finally able to offer just that," Fabbro said.

The drop-in program is available every Tuesday and Thursday afternoon at the centre's Dufferin Street location.

Women can get information on community resources, participate in organized activities or just meet with other women over a cup of coffee, Fabbro said.

"The drop-in was launched in the fall and we have been learning from the community how to make it work," she said,

"Our staff and volunteers have worked hard to create a vibrant and welcoming community space. I am very proud."

The centre is looking forward to the programs it has planned for next year, including salsa classes, yoga, arts and crafts, and workshops focussing on health and wellness.

Those are in addition to the services the centre has traditionally provided to the community such as life skills, support groups, family law legal advice and violence prevention initiatives, Fabbro said.