Minutes To be Confirmed

Board of Directors of TO Live

Meeting No.:
32 (Special)
Contact:
Carol Kaustinen, Committee Administrator
Meeting Date:
Thursday, April 14, 2022

Phone:
416-338-5089
Start Time:
9:30 AM
E-mail:
tolboard@toronto.ca
Location:
Video Conference
Chair:
Robert J. Foster

This meeting of the Board of Directors of TO Live was held by electronic means and the proceedings of the Board were conducted publicly.

CT32.1 - St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts Redevelopment

Decision Type:
ACTION
Status:
Amended
Ward:
13 - Toronto Centre

Board Decision

The Board of Directors of TO Live:

 

1.  Recommends that City Council endorse the building program for the new reimagined St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts, as more particularly itemized in Attachment 2 to the report (March 30, 2022) from the President and Chief Executive Officer, TO Live.

 

2.  Recommends that City Council direct the President and Chief Executive Officer, TO Live and the Chief Executive Officer, CreateTO, along with the Executive Director, Corporate Real Estate Management and the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning to:

 

a.  Explore options for and complete the schematic design process to reimagine the St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts, informed by the existing secured funding as outlined in the TO Live State of Good Repair budget and the building program outlined in Attachment 2 and the heritage approach and principles outlined in Attachment 1 from the President and Chief Executive Officer, TO Live;

 

b.  Complete an updated Class D cost estimate; 

 

c.  Provide an update to the project budget and funding strategy.

 

3.  Recommends that City Council direct the President and Chief Executive Officer, TO Live and the Chief Executive Officer, Create TO, along with the Executive Director, Corporate Real Estate Management and the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning, to report back to the Executive Committee and City Council in the second quarter of 2023 with updates including: the completed schematic design, the project costs based on a Class D estimate, the business model and funding strategy.

 

4.  Forwards the report (April 13, 2022) from the President and Chief Executive Officer, TO Live [CT32.1b] to the Executive Committee for consideration with the recommendations from the Board of Directors of CreateTO and the Board of Directors of TO Live.

Decision Advice and Other Information

The Chair, TO Live - St. Lawrence Centre Redevelopment Committee gave an overview of the item.

 

The Vice President, St. Lawrence Centre Redevelopment, TO Live gave an overview of the Creating Space diagram for the St. Lawrence Centre Redevelopment. 

 

Philip Goldsmith, Heritage Architect (PGA), and Megan Troza, Partner, DTAH Architects gave an overview of Attachments 1 and 3 to the report (March 30, 2022) from the President and Chief Executive Officer, TO Live.

 

The Board of Directors of TO Live recessed its public meeting to meet in closed session to consider the item as it pertains to financial information that belongs to the Board of Directors of TO Live and has monetary value or potential monetary value.

Origin

(March 30, 2022) Report from the President and Chief Executive Officer, TO Live

Summary

At its meeting of January 20, 2020, City Council adopted EX12.6 which directed TO Live and CreateTO to prepare a building program, Class D cost estimate, business model and funding strategy for a reimagined St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts ("STLC"), a civic asset managed by TO Live and located at 27 Front Street East in the heart of the St. Lawrence neighbourhood. 

 

The purpose of this report is to provide the Board of Directors of TO Live (the "Board") with an update on the work directed by City Council, and the recommendations for next steps. 

 

The work completed to date reflects Phase 1 of the City's Major Capital Project Approval Process (Preliminary Assessment/Feasibility) which includes:

 

-  development of a building program informed by a robust consultation process with a broad range of representatives in the arts, culture and creative spaces and the St. Lawrence Market Neighbourhood Association and BIA;
-  development of a heritage approach and principles to guide the future reimaging of the STLC;


-  a test fit of the building program to ensure the cultural heritage of the site can be celebrated, while providing new spaces to support the evolving and changing needs of the arts, culture, and creative sector for the next 60 years;


-  a Class D cost estimate to inform a preliminary project budget;


-  a financial  model that operationalizes the new vision for the STLC; and


-  a funding strategy to support the construction of a new reimaged STLC. 
 

The STLC has played an important role in the evolution of the City's cultural fabric. Constructed by the City of Toronto as a Canadian centennial project, the STLC opened its doors in February 1970. For 52 years, the building, alongside its counterpart, Meridian Hall (originally named the O'Keefe Centre), has served performers and hosted performances that have entertained citizens and visitors.

 

Today, following the impacts of the pandemic and a devastated cultural sector, a new cultural landscape is emerging that calls for a reimagining of the STLC that builds upon the renewed values and themes articulated by the community through the consultation process, and also aligns with TO Live's five year Strategic Plan - flexible spaces; equity, access and affordability; creative process; and delivery systems that will support the next generation of artists, performers, creatives, and the local community. 

 

This advances the Council direction to prioritize a more equitable recovery and inclusive economy articulated through the COVID-19 Impacts and Opportunities report and Building Back Stronger: Report of the Economic Cultural Advisory Group.

 

The reimagined STLC will create a cultural ecosystem where renewed cultural spaces, innovative spaces and gathering spaces will anchor the STLC as a cultural and civic hub along the important Front Street cultural corridor. A reimagined STLC will support the following key objectives:

 

-  Reimagine an aging, outdated facility that no longer serves the functional needs of the cultural and creative sector and the local community;
 

-  Create a new state-of-the-art cultural hub and community asset for the city that will be fitted out with cutting-edge broadcast technology and livestreaming equipment, virtual and augmented reality technology, and high-speed connectivity to support the next generation of creatives and generate economic activity in Toronto;
 

-  Create flexible spaces that will:
 

-  serve the dynamic needs of artists (local or otherwise) and contribute to their artistic development, innovation and collaboration;


-  provide flexible theatre spaces, a rehearsal hall, studios and workshops, lobbies and outdoor spaces that will be used and animated throughout the day and night;


-  enable the versatility of spaces to serve performance and presentation, creation and incubation to best serve the local artistic community as well as enable TO Live to showcase the world's most innovative artistic programs through presentation; and


-  bring together a variety of partners - local artists and organizations, performers educational partners, anchor tenants and the local community in open and accessible space.
 

-  Build cultural capacity in the city, that will secure longevity of space for the creative community;
 

-  Support the cultural and retail importance of Front Street East as a "Cultural Corridor and Retail Priority Street" in the City's Downtown Plan;
 

-  Contribute to the enhancement of the Front Street public realm with improved connections to Berczy Park, Scott Street and Meridian Hall;
 

-  Target Toronto Green Standards, Version 3, Tier 4 and establish new sustainable performance standards for this archetype;
 

-  Develop a business model that will provide affordable access to the performing arts sector, communities and neighbourhood that will be representative of the citizens of Toronto; and
 

-  Develop a funding strategy that will draw support from federal and provincial governments and fundraising to minimize the capital requirements from the City.  
 

The next steps require City Council's approval to advance to Phase 2 of the City's Major Capital Project Approval Process (concept design, through an international design competition, site investigation and due diligence to inform a project budget and schedule). Subject to City Council's approval, a design competition would be launched in the third quarter of 2022 with a recommended design team and project budget reporting to Executive Committee and City Council in the second quarter of 2023.

Background Information

(March 30, 2022) Report from the President and Chief Executive Officer, TO Live on St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts Redevelopment
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2022/ct/bgrd/backgroundfile-223871.pdf
Attachment 1 - Heritage Approach and Principles
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2022/ct/bgrd/backgroundfile-223872.pdf
Attachment 2 - Building Program
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2022/ct/bgrd/backgroundfile-223873.pdf
Attachment 3 - Program Test Fit
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2022/ct/bgrd/backgroundfile-223874.pdf
Creating Space Diagram for the St. Lawrence Centre Redevelopment from the Vice President, St. Lawrence Centre Redevelopment, TO Live
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2022/ct/bgrd/backgroundfile-224741.pdf

Motions

1 - Motion to Meet in Closed Session moved by Robert J. Foster (Carried)

10:28 a.m. - That the Board of Directors of TO Live recess its public meeting to meet in closed session to consider the item as it pertains to financial information that belongs to the Board of Directors of TO Live and has monetary value or potential monetary value.


2 - Motion to Amend Item moved by Kevin Garland (Carried)

That the Board of Directors of TO Live adopt the recommendations in the report (March 30, 2022) from the President and Chief Executive Officer, TO Live and in the supplementary report (April 13, 2022) from the President and Chief Executive Officer, TO Live.

1a - St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts Redevelopment

Origin
(April 5, 2022) Letter from the TO Live - St. Lawrence Centre Redevelopment Committee
Summary

Summary from the report (March 30, 2022) from the President and Chief Executive Officer, TO Live:

 

At its meeting of January 20, 2020, City Council adopted EX12.6 which directed TO Live and CreateTO to prepare a building program, Class D cost estimate, business model and funding strategy for a reimagined St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts ("STLC"), a civic asset managed by TO Live and located at 27 Front Street East in the heart of the St. Lawrence neighbourhood. 

 

The purpose of this report is to provide the Board of Directors of TO Live (the "Board") with an update on the work directed by City Council, and the recommendations for next steps.

 

The work completed to date reflects Phase 1 of the City's Major Capital Project Approval Process (Preliminary Assessment/Feasibility) which includes:

 

-  development of a building program informed by a robust consultation process with a broad range of representatives in the arts, culture and creative spaces and the St. Lawrence Market Neighbourhood Association and BIA;

 

-  development of a heritage approach and principles to guide the future reimaging of the STLC;

 

-  a test fit of the building program to ensure the cultural heritage of the site can be celebrated, while providing new spaces to support the evolving and changing needs of the arts, culture, and creative sector for the next 60 years;

 

-  a Class D cost estimate to inform a preliminary project budget;

 

-  a financial model that operationalizes the new vision for the STLC; and

 

-  a funding strategy to support the construction of a new reimaged STLC.

 

The STLC has played an important role in the evolution of the City's cultural fabric. Constructed by the City of Toronto as a Canadian centennial project, the STLC opened its doors in February 1970. For 52 years, the building, alongside its counterpart, Meridian Hall (originally named the O'Keefe Centre), has served performers and hosted performances that have entertained citizens and visitors.

 

Today, following the impacts of the pandemic and a devastated cultural sector, a new cultural landscape is emerging that calls for a reimagining of the STLC that builds upon the renewed values and themes articulated by the community through the consultation process, and also aligns with TO Live's five year Strategic Plan - flexible spaces; equity, access and affordability; creative process; and delivery systems that will support the next generation of artists, performers, creatives, and the local community.

 

This advances the Council direction to prioritize a more equitable recovery and inclusive economy articulated through the COVID-19 Impacts and Opportunities report and Building Back Stronger: Report of the Economic Cultural Advisory Group.

 

The reimagined STLC will create a cultural ecosystem where renewed cultural spaces, innovative spaces and gathering spaces will anchor the STLC as a cultural and civic hub along the important Front Street cultural corridor. A reimagined STLC will support the following key objectives:

 

-  Reimagine an aging, outdated facility that no longer serves the functional needs of the cultural and creative sector and the local community;

 

-  Create a new state-of-the-art cultural hub and community asset for the city that will be fitted out with cutting-edge broadcast technology and livestreaming equipment, virtual and augmented reality technology, and high-speed connectivity to support the next generation of creatives and generate economic activity in Toronto;

 

-  Create flexible spaces that will:

 

-   serve the dynamic needs of artists (local or otherwise) and contribute to their artistic development, innovation and collaboration;

 

-  provide flexible theatre spaces, a rehearsal hall, studios and workshops, lobbies and outdoor spaces that will be used and animated throughout the day and night;

 

-  enable the versatility of spaces to serve performance and presentation, creation and incubation to best serve the local artistic community as well as enable TO Live to showcase the world's most innovative artistic programs through presentation; and

 

-  bring together a variety of partners - local artists and organizations, performers educational partners, anchor tenants and the local community in open and accessible space.

 

-  Build cultural capacity in the city, that will secure longevity of space for the creative community;

 

-  Support the cultural and retail importance of Front Street East as a "Cultural Corridor and Retail Priority Street" in the City's Downtown Plan;

 

-  Contribute to the enhancement of the Front Street public realm with improved connections to Berczy Park, Scott Street and Meridian Hall;

 

-  Target Toronto Green Standards, Version 3, Tier 4 and establish new sustainable performance standards for this archetype;

 

- Develop a business model that will provide affordable access to the performing arts sector, communities and neighbourhood that will be representative of the citizens of Toronto; and

 

- Develop a funding strategy that will draw support from federal and provincial governments and fundraising to minimize the capital requirements from the City.

 

The next steps require City Council's approval to advance to Phase 2 of the City's Major Capital Project Approval Process (concept design, through an international design competition, site investigation and due diligence to inform a project budget and schedule). Subject to City Council's approval, a design competition would be launched in Q3 of 2022 with a recommended design team and project budget reporting to Executive Committee and City Council in Q2 of 2023

Background Information
(April 5, 2022) Letter from the TO Live - St. Lawrence Centre Redevelopment Committee on St. Lawrence Centre Redevelopment
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2022/ct/bgrd/backgroundfile-224203.pdf
Creating Space Diagram for the St. Lawrence Centre Redevelopment from the Vice President, St. Lawrence Centre Redevelopment, TO Live
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2022/ct/bgrd/backgroundfile-224223.pdf

1b - Supplementary Information - St. Lawrence Centre Redevelopment

Origin
(April 13, 2022) Report from the President and Chief Executive Officer, TO Live
Summary

The purpose of this report is to provide an analysis of the opportunity for a renovation budget for the existing building to assist the Board and City Council with its consideration of the report.

Background Information
(April 13, 2022) Report from the President and Chief Executive Officer on Supplementary Information - St. Lawrence Centre Redevelopment
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2022/ct/bgrd/backgroundfile-224528.pdf
Attachment 1 - Condition Assessment
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2022/ct/bgrd/backgroundfile-224529.pdf

Announcements

The Chair gratefully acknowledged that: 

 

TO LIVE would like to acknowledge Tkaronto, which is a Mohawk word meaning "the place in the water where the trees are standing." We live and work on the traditional territory of Haudenosaunee-speaking nations, including the Huron-Wendat, Seneca and Mohawk. Haudenosaunee-speaking nations have been here since time immemorial, and were more recently joined by the Mississaugas of the Credit.

 

This place has many Indigenous ports, including where the Humber and Rouge rivers meet other waterways such as Lake Ontario. Ancient longhouses -typical Haudenosaunee housing structures -have been found along both of these Rivers and in the north of Toronto as well (near modern-day York University). This territory is covered by the Dish with One Spoon Wampum Belt Covenant, an agreement between the Haudenosaunee (Six Nations) Confederacy and the Anishnaabe(Ojibwe) and allied nations to peaceably share and care for the lands and the relationships around the Great Lakes.

 

What this means is that by living and working here, we all have a responsibility to the environment and to each other, to treat each other and the environment with peace and respect. This means we have responsibilities to honour, renew, and consistently uphold the values and relationships outlined in the ancient agreements.

 

Today, Toronto is home to Indigenous peoples and settlers from around the world. Let us all come together in an atmosphere of respect and peace to do Good Work together with Good Minds. Let’s start building stronger and healthier relationships with each other, and the spaces which we inhabit in Tkaronto, Ontari:io, Kanata. Let’s hold our minds together in kindness.


Nia:wen. Thank you.

 

Where the Members of the Board of Directors of TO Live listed in the attendance for this meeting participated remotely, they were counted for quorum, as permitted by Section 189(4.2) of the City of Toronto Act, 2006 and the Board's Procedures.

Thursday, April 14, 2022

Meeting Sessions

Session Date Session Type Start Time End Time Public or Closed Session
2022-04-14 Morning 9:34 AM 10:28 AM Public
2022-04-14 Morning 10:32 AM 10:37 AM Closed
2022-04-14 Morning 10:38 AM 10:45 AM Public

Attendance

Members were present for some or all of the time period indicated.
Date and Time Quorum Members
2022-04-14
9:34 AM - 10:28 AM
(Public Session)
Present Present: Paul Bernards, Gary Crawford, John Filion, Robert J. Foster (Chair), Kevin Garland, Mustafa Humayun, Owais Lightwala, Dawn T. Maracle, Kathleen Sharpe, Gillian Smith
Not Present: Myriam Gafarou, Kristyn Wong-Tam
2022-04-14
10:32 AM - 10:37 AM
(Closed Session)
Present Present: Paul Bernards, Gary Crawford, John Filion, Robert J. Foster (Chair), Kevin Garland, Mustafa Humayun, Owais Lightwala, Dawn T. Maracle, Kathleen Sharpe, Gillian Smith
Not Present: Myriam Gafarou, Kristyn Wong-Tam
2022-04-14
10:38 AM - 10:45 AM
(Public Session)
Present Present: Paul Bernards, Gary Crawford, John Filion, Robert J. Foster (Chair), Kevin Garland, Mustafa Humayun, Owais Lightwala, Dawn T. Maracle, Kathleen Sharpe, Gillian Smith
Not Present: Myriam Gafarou, Kristyn Wong-Tam
Source: Toronto City Clerk at www.toronto.ca/council