State-of-the-art youth centre in Richmond Hill gets $2-million injection to offset COVID-19 impact

Construction of Jewish Youth Network's Robbins Family Centre back on track after being hindered by lockdown

Yorkregion.com
May 5, 2021
Yoyo Yan

A state-of-the-art youth community centre currently under construction in Richmond Hill is getting a funding boost of nearly $2.3 million, the latest move from multiple levels of government in the ongoing battle to curtail the impact of the pandemic.

The Jewish Youth Network's Robbins Family Centre, at 9131/9135 Bathurst St., broke ground a few years ago. The project was bogged down last March and April due to pandemic restrictions, before the construction resumed at a steady pace.

On April 29, the federal government announced it is investing more than $905,000 in this project through the Community, Culture and Recreation Infrastructure Stream of the Investing in Canada plan. The Ontario government is providing over $754,000, while the Jewish Youth Network is contributing more than $603,000 towards this project.

"Investments in cultural spaces are essential to building safe and inclusive communities where people want to live, work and raise a family," stated Richmond Hill MPP Majid Jowhari, on behalf of Catherine McKenna, the federal minister of infrastructure and communities.

Young people are amongst the most affected during the pandemic, and Robbins Family Centre will serve as a centralized location to improve youth access, which is currently only available at scattered rental locations, Jowhari explained in a Zoom announcement.

"Helping young people maintain a sense of identity with their cultural roots is essential to community stability and growth," noted Thornhill MPP Gila Martow, on behalf of Laurie Scott, Ontario's minister of infrastructure.

The funding will help Jewish Youth Network keep Judaism relevant, vibrant, and will engage more youth with programming tailored towards spiritual and social wellness in Thornhill, Vaughan, Richmond Hill and the surrounding area, according to Martow.

Robbins Family Centre Project work will include the construction of a basketball court and gym, a patio, a teen lounge, as well as other indoor and exterior building renovations. Once completed, the new community centre will provide increased access to quality cultural and community infrastructure for Jewish youth across the southern part of York Region.

"We are committed to taking the steps to progressively develop the programs, infrastructure and opportunity that resonates with today's youth in a way that they understand. This building is the first of its kind. A new concept responding to the needs of a new generation," said Rabbi Shmuli Nachlas, executive director of Jewish Youth Network.

However, back in 2016, the proposed Robbins Family Centre project created some angst in the adjacent neighbourhood, with residents raising concerns about congestion, insufficient parking and lack of privacy.

The project subsequently made adjustments to address those concerns over privacy and buffering by going beyond the zoning by-law to increase setbacks, shift the building's location and provide additional landscaping.