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The following is a list of Toronto United Church Council owned properties, our role in each one, and the work carried out by our tenant partners.
761 Queen Street West, Toronto
Council makes this former church on a prominent stretch of Queen Street West near Bathurst Street available to not-for-profit organizations with charitable status. These tenants provide serves to, and in some cases employ, those in need of social support. Client groups include the homeless and poor, consumer survivors of mental health programs, and single mothers. Uses consist of a day-care, a catering business, a bicycle network, a janitorial and property management provider, a major housing provider for the hard to house, and a craft studio for women.
The church building was originally constructed in 1904 with a major expansion in 1934. A complete interior renovation in 1997 saw the building’s 16,670 sq. ft. converted to its current uses. This work was carried out in partnership with the City of Toronto and the provincial and federal governments and is operated under a long-standing agreement with the City.
Council manages the building and its accounts on a day-to-day basis through a property management agreement with Fresh Start, one of the buildings several tenants. The property is revenue neutral to Council.
Hillcrest Lodge, 86 Cedar Street, Orillia
This 1.02 acre property was operated as a private hospital and long-term care facility prior to 1955 when the property was donated to United Church’s Hillcrest Lodge Corporation to continue the operation of the long-term care activities. The Corporation operated it as such from 1968 to 1992. Thereafter, the property was leased first to a seniors’ home operator and later to Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital.
Council assumed ownership of the site in 2002 and, under the enthusiastic and competent leadership of a revitalized Hillcrest Lodge Corporation, converted the building to a not-for-profit 31 unit home for hard-to-house and homeless seniors. It reopened in June 2008 and continues to be fully occupied. Hillcrest Lodge Corporation holds, operates and manages the facility under a long-term lease from Council.
900 Peter Robertson Boulevard, Brampton
This property, strategically located immediately across the street from the new Brampton Civic Hospital, was built in 1991 and used as by housing developers in the Springdale subdivisions as their sales pavilion. In 2002, the former Dufferin & Peel Presbytery Extension Council purchased the 2.12 acre site and building as the home for a new church development in that part of the City of Brampton. The building was and continues to be rented to commercial tenants including a day care and medical and financial services. Into this mix, the DPPEC provided rent free space for its new Northstar United Church. Under the competent leadership and at the expense of Dufferin & Peel Presbytery and its Extension Council, the 1,600 sq. ft. mezzanine was refurbished and a new welcome area and improved staircase access was constructed for the congregation’s use. The most unique part of the renovation was the conversion of the interior courtyard and sunken presentation area into a meeting area for worship and other community and church gatherings and meetings. Theatre seating was installed and stairways enhanced. The commercially rented spaces in the building can be made available to the congregation as it expands its ministry.
The property became part of Council’s holdings in January 2008 when Council amalgamated with DPPEC. A property manager, under contract, oversees the daily operations of the site.
40 Oak Street, Toronto - The Toronto Christian Resource Centre
This property, located in the heart of Regent Park, has been leased to the Toronto Christian Resource Centre since 1952. Since that time, the CRC has delivered services and programs from the building for Regent Park residents and the homeless in that part of the City.
The CRC’s traditional role of ensuring social justice issues are addressed for the people of Regent Park is to be expanded within the major community redevelopment being undertaken by the City of Toronto. The existing building will be replaced with a new larger facility which will include a Community Hub for social services and grass roots organizations and 87 affordable housing units.
This project is funded by the CRC and its many contributors and partners. Major construction financing comes from the City of Toronto and the housing component will be managed by Dixon Hall. Council’s contribution of the land through a long-term lease makes this a viable and exciting project for CRC and The United Church of Canada.
Holly United Church Centre, 211 Marsellus Drive, Barrie
This 1.6 acre property was purchased by Council in October 2005 to provide for United Church ministry requirements in southwest Barrie as set out in church development research reports prepared for Simcoe Presbytery. The building, a former Pentecostal Church build in 1987, now is home to the new Holly United Church Mission and several community groups and agencies. The space is also available for regional meetings and gatherings of the United Church and other organizations.
The 7,200 sq. ft. brick building has a large assembly room, smaller meeting rooms, offices, and children’s area. Unique to this site is a 30 ft. high Sprung Dome that houses a large 400 seat worship, theatre and convention centre. Adequate parking is available on the site.
The Council also owns the adjoining lot and house which is being held for future needs and expansion. A property manager, under contract, oversees the daily operations of the site.
Community Homes at Mortimer, Toronto
Located at 704 Mortimer Ave. at Woodbine Ave. in Toronto's east end, Council’s Community Housing building is leased to and managed by Fred Victor Centre. With 29 units and 59 tenants, including children, it is an affordable housing community where rent is geared to income. Fred Victor Centre staff collects rents, provides maintenance and janitorial services, coordinates the completion of maintenance orders, and helps tenants find information about other social services and community supports.
Come back and visit as we add information for the following Council-owned properties:
Dean Avenue, Barrie
Malvern Emmanuel Church, Toronto
Malvern Cemetery, Toronto
501 Logan Avenue, Toronto
Camp Big Canoe, Muskoka
Camp Simpresca, Penetanguishene
Sparrow Lake Camp, Severn Township
Lake Scugog Camp, Scugog Township
#24 - 30 Wertheim Court, Richmond Hill
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