Canadian Federal, provincial officials and Toronto ACC representatives take part at a zoom meeting where the allocation of $3.1M to Toronto ACC was announced, March 12, 2021.
TORONTOHYE (Toronto, Ontario)—The governments of Canada and Ontario announced today a funding of $3.1 million for the expansion of the Armenian Community Centre of Toronto.
The announcement was made during a live Zoom event where Han Dong, Member of Parliament for Don Valley North, on behalf of Catherine McKenna, Federal Minister of Infrastructure and Communities; Jean Yip, Member of Parliament for Scarborough—Agincourt; Aris Babikian, Member of Provincial Parliament for Scarborough—Agincourt, on behalf of Laurie Scott, Ontario’s Minister of Infrastructure; Vincent Ke, Parliamentary Assistant to the Ministry of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Cultural Industries and Member of Provincial Parliament for Don Valley North; and Sevag Khoshian, President of the Armenian Community Centre of Toronto, announced the funding for the expansion of ACC Toronto.
The Government of Canada is investing more than $1.7 million in the project through the Community, Culture and Recreation Infrastructure Stream (CCRIS) of the Investing in Canada plan. The Government of Ontario is contributing more than $1.4 million, while the Armenian Community Centre of Toronto is providing more than $1.1 million toward this project.
Ontario Premier Dog Ford, Cambridge MP Brian May, community benefactor Van Lapoyan, ACC former president Sevag Kupelian and ANCC representative Harout Matossian also took part at the Zoom meeting. The event was moderated by Nor Hai Horizon anchor Katya Der Hovagimian.
“Investments like this are critical as they bring neighbours together and make our communities stronger and more inclusive. The Armenian Community Centre is the home away from home for many Armenians here in Toronto, and by expanding and improving this great facility, we are ensuring it will benefit individuals and families for generations to come,” said Premier Ford.
MP Han Dong commented: “The Armenian Community Centre of Toronto’s expansion project will help support physical activity interests and promote a healthy community that engages in volunteerism, leadership, and active living for people of all ages. Canada’s infrastructure plan invests in thousands of projects, creates jobs across the country, and builds cleaner, more inclusive communities.”
The project involves a 15,479 square foot expansion of the existing facility which will include six multi-purpose rooms, a music room, common room, and a robotics lab. Additional improvements include: an expanded gathering lounge; a larger entrance to the facility; new, accessible universal washrooms; more storage; and renovations of the gymnasium floor and HVAC system. The project will cost a total of $4.88 million. The remaining funds will be allocated through community organizations and donated by community benefactor Van Lapoyan.
Once complete, the Armenian Community Centre of Toronto will become a more comprehensive, multi-purpose community hub that will offer additional programming to meet growing cultural and recreational needs, and is expected to result in an additional 15,000 residents per year.