Fire closes popular community centre in Firgrove neighbourhood

Thestar.com
February 24, 2020
Jennifer Pagliaro

A fire caused “significant damage” to a community centre in Firgrove, resulting in its closure, Toronto Community Housing says.

No one was hurt during the fire on the night of Feb. 13, TCH spokesperson Bruce Malloch told the Star, but the building will be closed until further notice.

He said TCH has been advised after fire investigations that the cause was accidental.

“It is too soon to comment on the extent of the damage and what our next steps will be, “Malloch said. “We will keep the community informed and communicate decisions once we are in a position to do so.”

The sudden closure of the Firgrove Learning and Innovation Community Centre, which Malloch called an “anchor” in the community, is the latest blow to the sprawling TCH community on Jane St., south of Finch Ave., as it faces continuing relocations and closures of units in disrepair.

The non-profit centre, first opened in 2008, is a central meeting place and “safe space” in the community which ran after-school, summer camp, food bank and other popular programs and annual BBQs. It was home to a computer lab and was where the artwork of community members was proudly displayed.

Barry Rieder, a longtime community minister, said the fire has devastated residents.

“It’s just another kind of dagger and another hurdle that they’re going to end up dealing with,” he said. “It was the heart of the community, and, so with the uncertainty of whether or not it will be usable in the near future, is very damaging and frightening, as well as heartbreaking, for the community.”

In 2017, hundreds of tenants were relocated from Firgrove because a lack of repairs to their townhome units made them uninhabitable. The vacant properties have been causing continuing issues with safety and pests for remaining residents, a city hall committee heard recently. A second block of townhomes and their residents will also soon be displaced.

At city hall, TCH and city staff have tabled a plan to revitalize the community, pitching to rebuild all of the existing subsidized housing units, as well as some 600 market rent or ownership units. That early draft plan promises replacement of existing community space. Council will be asked to endorse the development proposal in principle at a meeting Feb. 26.

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Malloch said TCH has made space temporarily for programs in its office space in the community. New community use space is under construction in the highrise tower at 5 Needle Firway and is expected to be completed by June.

“TCHC staff will be working closely with tenants and active community members to support them through this challenging time,” he said.

A GoFundMe fundraiser has been set up online as the community awaits news about the centre’s fate.