[URBAN NOTE] "New Moss Park community centre would be 'transformative’ designers say"

[rfmcdonald]

Jennifer Pagliaro of the Toronto Star reports on the release of the design of the new community centre in Moss Park.

A new Moss Park is taking shape on paper as residents continue to worry what a growing neighbourhood means for the rare downtown green space.

A more-than-$100-million community recreation centre proposed to replace the existing John Innes Community Recreation Centre — the only recreation centre in the increasingly dense downtown ward — is being pitched as the antidote to pending gentrification.

This week, residents got the first look at what’s being proposed — a multi-storey building that stretches much of the width of the park on the western edge to include new ice pads, gyms and gathering spaces. City council has yet to see a feasibility study or make any decisions about the park.

It’s an early concept, designers stressed at a meeting in the park Wednesday night, after the city and community agency, the 519, partnered to consult some 1,800 people.

Residents heard this week the project will include completely landscaping the park with promenades, a splash pad, tennis and basketball courts.