MacGregor Park field house: Federal Stimulus Funding 2009

Background

There have been lots of announcements about the federal stimulus funding that's supposed to push the economy back on track. Toronto is getting a long list of projects covered, including lots of money for public transit. But there are smaller projects too.

CBC: Ottawa grants Toronto $200M for infrastructure, September 11, 2009.

Many of the smaller Toronto stimulus funding projects are water pipes that need replacing or laneways that need repaving. But some of the funding is being used to do "state of good repair" projects in parks. One of these projects is the repair of the MacGregor Park Field house, on Lansdowne Avenue near College street. Read More >>

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Planning

When the new consultants arrived in August 2009, to evaluate what needed doing,

this was their list:

1. Replace all exterior doors

2. Replace all exterior windows and protective coverings

3. Replace wood fascia and soffit

4. Replace caulking and sealants

5. Install one new washroom partition in the Men's washroom

6. Install new washrooms sinks with built-in soap dispensers

7. Repair the chimney

8. Install washroom signage

9. Install new toilet paper dispensers in Men's washrooms

10. Replace the "square D" 160 amp 120/240V breaker panel, the receptacles and switches. Investigation and recommendations to any further electrical upgrades is also required.

11. Investigate and repair recommendations are required for the basement foundation

12. Replace the sanitary drainpipes

The question arises: is this the best use of $134,200 repair funds? Read More >>

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Construction

Construction, phase 2: building repairs

E-mail from new construction coordinator Martin Balgavy, Sept.1 2010

We will check the old screens stored on site, and assuming we still have the two old screens that fit these windows, will reinstall them on the rear facing windows in Boys/Girls community rooms. The remaining screens on washroom and lobby windows will remain as they are.

The existing windows are being reconditioned as per specifications in the contract, which includes mechanical removal of old paint and repainting of the frames.

E-mail from Jutta Mason to construction coordinator Martin Balgavy, August 31 2010

I'm very glad to hear that you are indeed removing those new screens. Two remaining window issues:

1. flat screens don't allow the windows to open properly. Therefore park users and on-site program staff feel that the old ones should be put back, on the back windows. These better-designed old screens are currently stored in the basement. Do you agree that they should replace the flat ones at the back?

2. the scope of work for the windows includes (from your August 20 e-mail): Existing windows to be reconditioned by removing old paint. We're told that the paint can indeed be removed, by various means, all of which will require the worker to wear a respirator: wikipedia link. But the contractor told us that such paint removal is no longer done. He also said that paint removal was never in the contract. What is the plan?

E-mail from new construction coordinator Martin Balgavy, August 31 2010

At our meeting on August 11th on site with Parks and Recreation staff, Peter White and Dave Hains to review your concerns regarding the new window screens, we discussed the removal of the screens for improved aesthetics versus the need to keep them in place for security and operational purposes. It was suggested that the screens at the front of the building facing Lansdowne Avenue could be removed pending approval from Parks Operations, leaving screens on the windows on the other sides of the building.

We now have confirmation from Parks that the screens facing Lansdowne Avenue will be removed and stored in the basement for future use should the need arise.

Restoration of the existing windows will continue and be completed as per the terms and conditions of the contract. To improve ventilation in the building, we will look at installing an additional fan(s) to increase air circulation in the programmed spaces.

I trust this properly addresses your concerns.

MacGregor construction: bulletins and a poster

E-mail to new construction coordinator Martin Balgavy, cc Capital Projects/ Parks/ Recreation management, August 30 2010

I didn't get a response to my Aug.25 e-mail about the windows-problem. Below I have repeated the relevant excerpt (in blue) from our previous windows bulletin. Attached is the poster that is now up at MacGregor Park. Nice poster, I think -- it shows how common it is, nowadays, to have glass and light in park buildings. If park users/on-site staff had been kept in the conversation as we asked back in February, considerable needless expense would have been avoided.

Kelvin Seow has just called me to tell me the good news -- that there are now plans to remove the front screens and replace the back screens with the originals (to allow the windows to open). Please let me know the details of your plans -- timely (early) communication that includes direct park users, including on-site staff, is the solution to these kinds of headaches. Read More >>

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Construction phase 1: water barrier

Construction schedule

MacGregor construction photos, May 3 2010 The trench has been filled in.

Read More >>

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Why all this community effort?

Twenty years ago, MacGregor Park was hopping, especially in the summers. There were lots of children in the families living along the tracks, and there was lots of programming for them. The field house was their community clubhouse.

The children grew up, the programs shrivelled, and the park became a bit of an orphan. By the time the next big wave of kids came along, the field house was mostly locked up, and there was very little programming in the park.

Then, around 2004, two park neighbours began to add new activities to the park. Anna Galati, a young mother who lives across the street, urged the City to improve their programming. Kristen Fahrig, an artist who lives around the corner form the park, asked the City to let her introduce some arts activities. The three-way collaboration (Anna and Kristen with Recreation) began to revive the park. Kristen's efforts were supported by several City of Toronto Community Arts grants, and she and Anna recruited other local talent to get involved. The programming was not only in summer, but also in winter.

For more pictures, see picture gallery

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Content last modified on September 02, 2010, at 08:28 AM EST