The Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment (MLSE) Foundation has unveiled plans to build a large youth-focused sports facility downtown.
The goal of the new centre located at 261 Jarvis St. will be "to improve the health and mental development of Toronto’s youth," Toronto Mayor John Tory told reporters Saturday morning.
The mayor described the vision of the new facility, set to open in 2017, as "a cornerstone for our city, providing a place where dreams can become realities and interests can become talents."
Formerly a community roller rink, the 42,000-sqaure foot space will be renovated to include a multipurpose gymnasium, classrooms, a cafeteria, and kitchen.
The centre will offer programming seven days a week including sports-based after-school programs, cooking classes, breakfast programs, and educational training.
The sports centre is a joint initiative between the MLSE Foundation, Toronto Community Housing, and the City of Toronto.
"This partnership reflects major effort by Toronto Community Housing to make best use of all our buildings for the benefit of resident and the surrounding community," said Greg Spearn, interim president of Toronto Community Housing.
Plans for the new facility were unveiled Saturday at press conference that also included Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne and NBA Commissioner Adam Silver.
