A new community centre would complement the outdoor activities in the park, clarify both visual and physical access and effectively expand the park.

This Feasibility Study was undertaken at the request of the City of Toronto by the joint team of Oleson Worland (OWA) and Taylor Smyth Architects (TSA) and completed on a tight schedule.  The purpose of the study was to test the feasibility for developing a new community centre in the west end of Toronto.  The project site is on Wabash Avenue, at the southern edge of Sorauren Park.  It currently contains two former industrial buildings.  The new community centre is to serve the Parkdale / High Park community with a full range of programs.

Two scenarios were developed - one utilizing the existing building with an addition and the other one involving the removal of the existing structures and all new construction.  An audit of the existing buildings found that they are structurally sound, but in need of repair.  It was found that approximately two-thirds of the total program can be accommodated in the larger of the two existing buildings.

There is potential for a construction cost savings through renovation of the existing structure if it can be used efficiently.