Facility Projects

A large facility requires constant care. Variety has embarked on a capital upgrade project of $2.5 million thanks to the provincial government. This project will renovate and repair parts of our aging facility that has helped break down barriers for over 70 years. Every person deserves the opportunity to enjoy sport at all levels and all abilities. This new funding commitment is significant because it will mean the sustainability of our facility for the next 20 years.

As part of the agreement, the money must be spent by June 2020 – so we are quickly working to get improvements completed around the facility!

HOW THIS AFFECTS YOU

This rejuvenation will meet the growing demands for service and will have a profound effect on the community and the 30,000 children and adults Variety serves annually. Increasing our ability to provide improved accessibility and safety will give members, teams and school groups a facility that continues to be a leader in our community. This may mean some interruptions in service and facility availability from time to time over the next several months.

This page will be updated as projects are announced. Stay tuned to our Alerts for updates on project progress!

Main Water Lines Repair

September 17 – 18
The first project Variety will undertake is repairing one of our main water lines, located in the upper parking lot outside the cafeteria and running back to the grassy area across the weight room. During this repair, water access in the building will be shut off for approximately 48 hours from September 17 to September 18. During the repairs, the facility will be closed to members.

Exceptions: There are four programs that will continue to run during the repairs:
1. LINKS and MILESTONES day programs
2. Variety’s Personal Training and Massage Therapy services
3. Rehabilitation to Community
4. After School Program

If you fall under any of the above groups and you choose to come to the facility, please note that there will be no water or shower access and washroom access will be limited to accessible Port-o-Lets.

OTFHORIZcolour

We're thinking Green!

Variety Village continues to expand on its Green Plan initiatives with exciting results. Read below to find out more about what we’re doing.

Waste Diversion Program

Waste Diversion Program

Five new waste stations to reduce the total amount of solid waste we are producing and sending to landfill are available throughout the facility. We also have new larger recycle and compost bins for pick up by the City of Toronto.

Through its Waste Diversion program the City of Toronto waives its pick up fee for charities, which is saving Variety between $16,000 – $20,000 annually as well as allowing us to be environmentally responsible.

Gardening Space

Increased Gardening Space

Many volunteers and members have worked on cleaning up and creating new gardening spaces allowing for additional gardening efforts. This includes a lot of new space for the LINKS Day Program’s vegetable garden. Local food production, especially in urban food production is creating opportunities for better nutrition and learning for our LINKS and MILESTONE Day Program participants.

On-site Composting

On-Site Composting

This is a valuable resource where all compostable waste from the day programs is composted into a usable product on site. It is an educational opportunity for the Day Program participants to understand the importance of reducing municipal solid waste and the meaning of waste diversion. It also aligns with their gardening program. All food waste is now converted into a nutrient rich usable gardening product. This teaches the whole life-cycle of our food system.

LED & Induction Replacement Lighting

LED and Induction Replacement Lighting

Variety has reduced its energy consumption dramatically and all of the old lamps were recycled following proper guidelines. Converting the exterior and interior lighting of the facility to LED and induction lighting will reduce Variety’s annual energy consumption by 259,018 KWh and save annual energy costs by approximately $43,156. The environmental benefit has equivalent carbon reduction to planting 8,431 trees. In addition to a reduction in its energy bills, Variety Village received a rebate of $17,697.40 (incl. HST) from Toronto Hydro as part of their Save on Energy – RETROFIT incentive program.

BUS: We have a bus stop right outside! Take the 12A from Victoria Park Station.

FREE parking onsite.

Wheel-Trans accessible.