Item - 2020.EC18.12

The Economic and Community Development Committee recommends that:

1.  City Council direct the Executive Director, Social Development, Finance and Administration, in consultation with relevant City divisions, boards, and community agencies, to develop a pilot for a new dedicated community space for youth, including the programming, staffing, and other resources needed for operations, in the Oakwood and Vaughan area to launch in 2021, contingent on securing an appropriate space in the area.

2.  City Council direct the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning, in consultation with relevant City divisions, to explore opportunities which may be presented through new development to secure a permanent future location in the Oakwood and Vaughan area for such a community space, should the pilot in Recommendation 1 above be successful.

This report responds to Council direction to assess service needs in the Oakwood and Vaughan area and identify opportunities for creating a vibrant and sustainable community hub by recommending the initiation of the development of a community program in an existing community space in a Toronto District School Board property, formerly known as the Vaughan Road Academy, as a pilot beginning in 2021. 

Included in this report is an overview of stakeholder and community engagement as well as an assessment of a potential site for new community services, with a summary of findings and immediate next steps.