TORONTO – Infrastructure Ontario, in partnership with Waterfront Toronto, announced today that Dundee Kilmer Development Limited is the preferred proponent selected to design, build and finance the Athletes’ Village project located in the West Don Lands.

The Athletes’ Village will provide accommodations for the athletes and officials participating in the Toronto 2015 Pan/Parapan American Games. After the Games, the Village area will become a mixed-use, inclusive and pedestrian-friendly riverside community that will include affordable
housing as outlined in Waterfront Toronto’s Precinct Plan for the West Don Lands.

The selection of the Dundee Kilmer Development Limited as the preferred bidder is the result of an open, fair and competitive procurement process, which was overseen by a third party fairness advisor, and included extensive evaluations of the three submitted bids. Throughout the bidding process, Dundee Kilmer Development Limited consistently demonstrated its proven experience and capabilities in financing, designing, developing and constructing large, world-class facilities. The team includes:

• Dundee Realty Corporation – Equity Investor, Developer
• Kilmer Van Nostrand Co. Limited – Equity Investor, Developer
• EllisDon Corporation – Design Builder, Constructor
• Ledcor Design Build (Ontario) Inc. – Design Builder, Constructor
• Brookfield Financial Corp. – Financial Advisor
• architectsAlliance – Joint Venture Architect
• Kuwabara Payne McKenna Blumberg – Joint Venture Architect
• Daoust LeStage Inc. – Urban Design Architect
• TEN Arquitectos – Design

Infrastructure Ontario and Waterfront Toronto will begin negotiating contract details with the preferred bidder. Following finalization of a contract, the project is expected to reach commercial and financial close in fall 2011, which will mean that relevant contracts have been signed and the project’s costs are finalized.

Project costs will be announced publicly following financial close and construction of the Athletes’ Village is expected to begin shortly thereafter.

The Athletes’ Village project will also include construction of non-residential facilities such as a media centre, transport mall and polyclinic, where athletes will receive a range of health-care services. Infrastructure Ontario and Waterfront Toronto are working with Games organizing committee Toronto 2015 (TO2015) to develop these elements.

The project includes the design and construction of:
o a new mixed-use neighbourhood, including market and affordable housing;
o an environmentally sustainable community that aims to achieve Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) Gold certification for the design and construction of the new permanent facilities. LEED® standards focus on healthy indoor environments, reduced greenhouse gas emissions and efficient use ofenergy, water and other resources; and
o new roads and services, such as hydro, sewer and water infrastructure.

The project is proceeding under Infrastructure Ontario’s Alternative Financing and Procurement (AFP) model whereby risks associated with designing, constructing, and financing the facilities are transferred to the private sector.

Infrastructure Ontario and TO2015 are working together to procure and deliver the Athletes’ Village as well as working with municipalities, universities and provincial agencies to develop other Games venues across the GTA and Golden Horseshoe, such as the Aquatics Centre, the
Velodrome, the Pan Am Athletics and Soccer Stadia and others.

Infrastructure Ontario is a Crown corporation dedicated to delivering some of the province’s larger and more complex infrastructure renewal projects, on time and on budget; managing one of the largest real estate portfolios in Canada and providing real estate services, such as asset management and property and land management; and providing the public sector and not-for-profit organizations with long-term financing to renew public infrastructure.

The Governments of Canada and Ontario and the City of Toronto created Waterfront Toronto to oversee and lead the renewal of Toronto’s waterfront. Public accessibility, design excellence, sustainable development, economic development and fiscal sustainability are the key drivers of waterfront revitalization.

Quotes:
Honourable Bob Chiarelli, Minister of Infrastructure
“This project reaffirms the government’s commitment to making Ontario a greater place to live, work and visit through the renewal of vital infrastructure.”

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Contacts:
Mandy Downes
Infrastructure Ontario
416-327-5246

Tari Stork
Waterfront Toronto
416-214-1344

(Left to right). Toronto Councillor Norm Kelly, Waterfront Toronto Chair Mark Wilson, Ontario Minister of Research and Infrastructure, Glen Murray, and Federal Minister of the Environment, Peter Kent, officially open Sherbourne Common.

Waterfront Toronto and its government partners officially opened the completed Sherbourne Common, a unique park that seamlessly blends art and innovation.

Located in the heart of the new East Bayfront neighbourhood, Sherbourne Common is far more than the area’s main park. It is the first park in Canada to incorporate a neighbourhood-wide stormwater treatment facility. Public art is integrated with the water infrastructure to create a public space that is as beautiful as it is functional.

The park, which lies on both sides of Queens Quay Boulevard east of Lower Sherbourne Street, was completed in two phases. The portion south of Queens Quay was completed and opened in September 2010, and the portion on the north side was completed in July 2011.

A water treatment facility, housed in the basement of the park’s pavilion on the southern side, cleans collected storm and lake water with ultraviolet light.  The treated water is then sent underground to the north side of the park where it is released through three dramatic nine-metre-high art sculpture towers. The water flows from the tops of the towers, down metal mesh veils and into a 240-metre long water channel, or urban river, where it then flows out to Lake Ontario.

“Our government is pleased to have invested in the renewal of Toronto’s waterfront by providing more than $27 million in helping transform this part of Toronto’s industrial past into a beautiful public space,” said Minister Flaherty, MP (Whitby–Oshawa) and Canada’s Finance Minister.  “Investing in infrastructure strengthens and binds this country and builds a healthier environment for all Canadians.”

“To have Sherbourne Common completed is a tremendous accomplishment,” said Minister Kent, MP (Thornhill) and Canada’s Environment Minister. “The Sherbourne Common development is an integral part of the incredible transformation already underway across Toronto’s Waterfront. It will form the anchor for a thriving community of families, schools and businesses.”

“Sherbourne Common is going to be a wonderful asset for our community,” said Glen Murray, MPP (Toronto Centre) and Ontario Minister of Research and Innovation. “Our government is proud to support this project, which will give residents another way to enjoy the waterfront, bring neighbours and families together and make our community move lively and more livable for decades to come.”

“Sherbourne Common is a great example of how a park can be more than just a fantastic public space, with the addition of public infrastructure and public art,” said Councillor Norm Kelly, Chair of Parks & Environment for the City of Toronto. “This park will be a great asset to the developing East Bayfront community and all the people of Toronto,” Kelly added.

“Sherbourne Common is a catalyst for the development of the East Bayfront neighbourhood,” said Waterfront Toronto Board Chair Mark Wilson. “The park has already helped us attract private and public sector partners who are working with us to transform this former industrial area into a dynamic new community.”

George Brown College is currently constructing a new waterfront campus on the western edge of the park south of Queens Quay that will open fall 2012. Great Gulf will be building its mixed-use development on the eastern flank of the north portion of the park. Sales of units will launch later this year with occupancy expected by 2015.  The $800 million Bayside development by Hines will be constructed on the east side of Sherbourne Common south of Queens Quay. The project will feature 1,700 residential units, plus retail, cultural and commercial spaces in multiple buildings. Units will go on sale in 2012 and the first occupancy is expected by 2015.

Sherbourne Common was designed by Vancouver-based landscape architectural firm Phillips Farevaag Smallenberg in association with The Planning Partnership. The art sculpture towers, entitled “Light Showers”, were designed by Jill Anholt. Chosen through an online public naming contest, the name ‘Sherbourne Common’ reflects the idea that parks and public spaces should belong to the people.

The spectacular waterfront park is designed to be both a city-wide destination and neighbourhood amenity for daylong and year-round use. Along with the art features, the newly completed north portion features a children’s playground, a grove of trees, plus seating and benches. The water towers are lit at night and as people move over the bridge of the water channel, motion sensors trigger shifting light patterns in the water falling from the sculptures. The mesh veils of art sculptures are designed to capture water in the winter to form unique ice patterns.

The south portion of the park features a large greenspace overlooking the lake that can be used for festivals and special events, a splash pad that becomes a skating rink in the winter months, and a weather-protected pavilion with washrooms and space for a future café.

The total budget for Sherbourne Common was $28.7 million plus an additional $1.9 million for the public art. The federal government provided $27 million, the provincial government provided $1 million and the City of Toronto contributed $2.6 million. The cost for the art feature will be recovered through development fees as part of the Waterfront Toronto public art strategy.

Waterfront Toronto has made major strides in revitalizing Toronto’s waterfront. In addition to building and improving 17 parks and public spaces, Waterfront Toronto has finalized development agreements with Great Gulf Group of Companies, Urban Capital and Hines for private sector projects on the waterfront, as well as with George Brown College for the development of their new state-of-the-art Health Sciences campus.

The Governments of Canada and Ontario and the City of Toronto created Waterfront Toronto to oversee and lead the renewal of Toronto’s waterfront. Public accessibility, design excellence, sustainable development, economic development and fiscal sustainability are the key drivers of waterfront revitalization.

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MEDIA KIT:

Sherbourne Common Fact Sheet
East Bayfront Backgrounder

Media Contacts:

Bruce Sudds, Waterfront Toronto 416-214-1344 x290 or 416-271-1316, bsudds@waterfrontoronto.ca

Toronto – Waterfront Toronto and Toronto and Region Conservation (TRCA) together with the Governments of Canada, Ontario and the City of Toronto officially launched construction of the final phase of Mimico Waterfront Park today.

Located on the shore of Lake Ontario in Etobicoke, Mimico Waterfront Park connects people to the water across a lakefront area that historically has lacked public access to the waterfront.  When completed in 2012 the park will provide 1.1 kilometer of linear waterfront park space between Norris Crescent Parkette and Humber Bay Park West.

Waterfront Toronto opened the first 600 meter western portion of the park in 2008. The final 500 meters of linear park will enable Torontonians to enjoy the lakefront west of Humber Bay Park West for the first time and will provide the missing link in the city’s waterfront trail system.

“As Federal Minister responsible for the GTA and the Toronto Waterfront Revitalization Initiative, I am pleased once again that our government is part of this remarkable transformation along Toronto’s lakeshore,” said Federal Finance Minister Jim Flaherty. “When completed, Mimico Waterfront Park will be an inviting and open community hub that will make a vital contribution to the overall prosperity and lifestyles of the residents and businesses of the waterfront.”

“We know that when we invest in Toronto’s waterfront we will see tangible returns.  At the same time, the investment in Mimico Waterfront Park will act as a catalyst for the local economy,” said Bernard Trottier, Member of Parliament for Etobicoke—Lakeshore.  “It is good to see this proud community along our waterfront evolving into the vibrant, exciting destination it deserves to be.”

“Today’s official start of Phase Two of the redevelopment of Mimico Waterfront Park is exciting for the residents and businesses of Etobicoke-Lakeshore who have always appreciated our community’s unique location, public spaces and access to the waterfront trails and parks,”  said Laurel Broten, MPP, Etobicoke-Lakeshore. “Moving forward with Mimico Waterfront Park is a key element of our strategy to revitalize and strengthen our lakeshore community and ensure that this wonderful natural legacy will be appreciated by families for generations to come.”

“Mimico Waterfront Park is an important local asset that enhances and strengthens the local community,” said Mark Grimes, Councillor for Etobicoke-Lakeshore. “Phase Two is the missing link that will extend and connect the waterfront and improve access for all park users. It will also provide an economic boost to local businesses by attracting visitors and additional investment in the area.”

Mimico Waterfront Park is an important asset in enhancing and strengthening the local community. Mimico is a community that the City of Toronto has targeted for revitalization;  creating more and better waterfront park space is one of the strategies the City has identified to help attract investment in the area.

“One of Waterfront Toronto’s primary objectives is to leverage investment in parks and public spaces to deliver key economic and social benefits,” said Mark Wilson, Chair, Waterfront Toronto. “The investment in Mimico Waterfront Park will deliver far more than much needed waterfront public space. It is also a catalyst for re-invigorating the local economy.”

The first phase of the park has been well received and well used by local residents since it opened in 2008.  The new park has also helped attract new businesses and residents to Mimico. The final phase of the project is expected to help further revitalize the area.

TRCA is an integral partner for Waterfront Toronto in the revitalization of Toronto’s waterfront and is responsible for the planning and building of the park.

“Mimico Waterfront Park was planned and designed by the citizens of this community for the use and enjoyment of the citizens of this community.  We are proud to have worked beside our local stakeholders toward the revitalization in this historic part of the city” said Brian Denney, Chief Administrative Officer of TRCA.

As with all Waterfront Toronto projects, sustainability is a key feature of Mimico Waterfront Park.  The park was designed with the native ecology of the area in mind and it includes features that benefit residents as well as the local aquatic and terrestrial habitats.

The second phase of the park builds east from the first phase and will provide linear water’s edge public space that connects existing local parks. The park is being constructed through a lakefilling process along a narrow section of the existing shoreline.

Phase Two begins at Superior Avenue in the west and extends the waterfront trail and public waterfront access to Humber Bay Park West in the east. The park’s features include an additional 500 metres of waterfront trail, 250 metres of cantilevered pedestrian boardwalk, a separate multi-use trail located along the backshore that provides cycling and in-line skating access adjacent to the boardwalk, small pockets of wetland habitat, landscaping and park lighting.

The total project budget for Mimico Waterfront Park is $18.6 million dollars of which $6.9 million has been committed by the City of Toronto, $6.2 million by the Province of Ontario and $5.5 million by the Government of Canada. The budget for the second phase of Mimico Waterfront Park is $8.4 million.
Waterfront Toronto has made major strides in revitalizing Toronto’s waterfront. In addition to building and improving 17 parks and public spaces, Waterfront Toronto has finalized development agreements with Great Gulf Group of Companies, Urban Capital and Hines for private sector projects on the waterfront, as well as with George Brown College for the development of their new state-of-the-art Health Sciences campus.

The Governments of Canada and Ontario and the City of Toronto created Waterfront Toronto to oversee and lead the renewal of Toronto’s waterfront. Public accessibility, design excellence, sustainable development, economic development and fiscal sustainability are the key drivers of waterfront revitalization.

Media kit:
Mimico Waterfront Park – Fact Sheet

Media Contact:
Tari Stork, Manager, Project Communications, Waterfront Toronto
T: 416-214-1344 x 279 / C: 416-414-1577 / tstork@waterfrontoronto.ca

Toronto, June 27, 2011 – Waterfront Toronto is interested in hearing from firms, cultural groups, creative industries and festival organizers with proposals to bring diverse, vibrant forms of culture and animation to Toronto’s waterfront.

A Request for Expressions of Interest (REOI) was recently issued to solicit submissions to animate the wide range of opportunity for office and gallery uses, museums, public art, performing arts centres, cultural centres and festivals on Toronto’s waterfront.

Culture, the arts and tourism play key roles in the transformation of Toronto’s waterfront. With revitalization efforts well underway and private sector partners on board in the East Bayfront and West Don Lands, Waterfront Toronto is in aposition to implement its cultural, tourism and animation strategy in the new waterfront communities.

In 2006, Waterfront Toronto commissioned a Cultural and Animation Strategy for the East Bayfront with a series of recommendations for cultural and animation uses for the revitalized waterfront.  The REOI is the next step towards waterfront animation.

Waterfront Toronto would like to hear from interested groups who have the experience, vision and financial capacity to animate cultural and tourism spaces on Toronto’s waterfront.

“Part of our mandate has always been to animate Toronto’s waterfront and create a premier destination for residents and visitors alike,” said John Campbell, Waterfront Toronto President and CEO. “We are now looking for inspiration, great creativity and purposeful action to implement this key revitalization objective.”

East Bayfront and West Don Lands will offer unprecedented cultural and commercial animation opportunities across a variety of spaces including ground floor retail, mezzanine, multi-floor and stand-alone spaces.

East Bayfront will be defined by its architectural design excellence, its direct access to Lake Ontario and signature parks and public spaces. The area is already home to the new headquarters of Corus Entertainment, the popular Canada’s Sugar Beach, Sherbourne Common and future home to mixed-use projects by The Great Gulf Group of Companies and Hines.

The West Don Lands will be one of Toronto’s next great neighbourhoods; a people focused community, environmentally sustainable and beautifully designed for urban living. First phase development is underway with Urban Capital’s River City project while the build-out of the entire area is being accelerated by the delivery of the Athletes’ Village for the 2015 Toronto Pan/Parapan American Games.  Following the Games, the Athletes’ Village will become the heart of this new community.

“Our goal is to create a ‘quality of place’ for Toronto’s waterfront that will rival anywhere in the world,” said Campbell. “We are creating a legacy of beautiful, vibrant, sustainable neighbourhoods that reconnect Toronto with its waterfront.”

Interested firms are invited to submit their proposals by Friday, July 29th before 4:00 p.m. EST. Proposals should include concept and vision, experience and qualifications, target audience and expected visitors, and space requirements and location. A supporting business plan for capital and operating costs must also be submitted since Waterfront Toronto is not in a position to provide capital or operating subsidies.

For more information and to download the Request for Expressions of Interest (#2011-09: Waterfront Cultural and Animation Strategy), please visit www.waterfrontoronto.ca/procurement.

The Governments of Canada and Ontario and the City of Toronto created Waterfront Toronto to oversee and lead the renewal of Toronto’s waterfront. Public accessibility, design excellence, sustainable development, economic development and fiscal sustainability are the key drivers of waterfront revitalization.

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For more information, please contact:

•    Media Contact: Marisa Piattelli, Waterfront Toronto 416-214-1476 or mpiattelli@waterfrontoronto.ca

•    visit our current procurement opportunties page to access the documents.

TORONTO – Infrastructure Ontario, in partnership with Waterfront Toronto, announced today that the request for proposals (RFP) stage for the Toronto 2015 Pan/Parapan American Games Athletes’ Village project has closed.

Submitted proposals to design, build and finance the construction of the Athletes’ Village in the West Don Lands will be evaluated based on the criteria in the RFP. It is expected that the successful team will be selected and announced in summer 2011.

The Athletes’ Village will provide accommodations for up to 8,000 Pan American and 2,200 Parapan American athletes and officials during the Games, and will include additional facilities such as a media centre, transport mall, dining hall and polyclinic, where athletes can receive a range of health-care services. After the Games, the Village area will become a mixed-use, inclusive and pedestrian-friendly riverside community that will include affordable housing as outlined in Waterfront Toronto’s Precinct Plan for the West Don Lands.

Project highlights include design and construction of:

o a new mixed-use neighbourhood, including market and affordable housing;
o an environmentally sustainable community that aims to achieve Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) Gold certification for the design and construction of the new facilities. LEED® standards focus on healthy indoor environments, reduced greenhouse gas emissions and efficient use of energy, water and other resources; and
o new roads and services, such as hydro, sewer and water infrastructure.

Three short-listed teams were invited to submit bids in response to a request for proposals (RFP) that was issued on January 28, 2011. The teams all include companies with proven experience and capabilities in financing, designing, developing and constructing large, complex projects. The three
short-listed teams are:

Dundee Kilmer Developments Limited
– Dundee Realty Corporation – Equity Investor, Developer
– Kilmer Van Nostrand Co. Limited – Equity Investor, Developer
– EllisDon Corporation – Design Builder, Constructor
– Ledcor Design Build (Ontario) Inc. – Design Builder, Constructor
– Brookfield Financial Corp. – Financial Advisor
– architectsAlliance – Joint Venture Architect
– Kuwabara Payne McKenna Blumberg – Joint Venture Architect
– Daoust LeStage Inc. – Urban Design Architect
– TEN Arquitectos – Design

Legacy Village Partners
– Lend Lease – Master Development Partner, Equity Provider, Project Lead
– Concert Properties Ltd – Master Development Partner, Equity Provider, Market
Rental Developer/Owner
– Tridel – Development Partner, Equity Provider of Market Condo Component
– PCL – General Contractor
– Deltera – General Contractor
– Scotia Capital Inc – Financial Advisor
– IBI – Design Team Lead
– Gehl Architects – Urban Quality Consultants
– Teeple Architects – Student Residence Design
– Wallman Architects – Affordable Housing Design

Village Infrastructure Partners (VIP)
– Fengate Capital- Equity Investor
– The Conservatory Group – Equity Investor, Developer, Constructor
– The Pemberton Group – Equity Investor, Developer, Constructor
– Saddlebrook – Constructor
– Laing O’Rourke – Design Build coordination
– National Bank – Financial Advisor
– TD Securities – Financial Advisor
– B+H Architects – Lead Architect, Coordinating Architect
– RegionalArchitects – Design Lead
– EI Richmond – Design Lead
– Arquitectonica – Design Lead
– West 8 – Lead Architect (Landscape)

The project is proceeding under Infrastructure Ontario’s Alternative Financing and Procurement (AFP) model whereby risks associated with designing, constructing, and financing the facilities are transferred to the private sector.
Infrastructure Ontario and Waterfront Toronto are working with TO2015 to develop the section of West Don Lands that will be home to the Athletes’ Village.

Infrastructure Ontario and TO2015 are working together to procure and deliver the Athletes’ Village as well as working with municipalities, universities and provincial agencies to develop other Games venues across the GTA and Golden Horseshoe, such as the Aquatics Centre, the Velodrome, the Pan Am Stadium and others.

Infrastructure Ontario is a Crown corporation dedicated to delivering some of the province’s larger and more complex infrastructure renewal projects, on time and on budget; managing one of the largest real estate portfolios in Canada and providing real estate services, such as asset management
and property and land management; and providing the public sector and not-for-profit organizations with long-term financing to renew public infrastructure.

The Governments of Canada and Ontario and the City of Toronto created Waterfront Toronto to oversee and lead the renewal of Toronto’s waterfront. Public accessibility, design excellence, sustainable development, economic development and fiscal sustainability are the key drivers of waterfront revitalization.

Quotes:
Honourable Bob Chiarelli, Minister of Infrastructure
“Today’s announcement marks a significant step for not only the Athletes’ Village and the central role it will play in the Toronto 2015 Pan Am Games, but also for our long-term vision for a modern and sustainable waterfront community in the West Don Lands.”

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Contacts:

Mandy Downes
Infrastructure Ontario
416-327-5246

Tari Stork
Waterfront Toronto
416-214-1344

Toronto, June 7, 2011 – Toronto’s new waterfront communities will be wired with the latest in smart technology infrastructure that will make them among the most connected in the world.

Waterfront Toronto is partnering with the pioneering telecommunications firm Beanfield Metroconnect to create Canada’s first open-access ultra-high speed broadband community network. Following a competitive selection process, Waterfront Toronto chose the Toronto-based firm to build and operate an advanced fibre-optic broadband network throughout the new waterfront communities.
The open-access ultra-broadband infrastructure will transform the neighbourhoods into intelligent communities that revolutionize how residents receive telecommunications services, promote economic growth and development, and enable innovation.

“Broadband has become essential public infrastructure for 21st century communities, and the need for faster connections delivered over more robust networks has been intensifying since the dawn of the Internet age,” said John Campbell, President and CEO of Waterfront Toronto. “This state-of-the-art network will help us establish a new hub of innovation and stimulate enduring economic growth to help Toronto remain competitive with other world-leading cities, such as Seoul, Stockholm, and Tokyo where similar broadband infrastructures exist or are now being built.”

Every home and business in the new communities will be wired with fibre and provided with affordable and unlimited access to internet speeds up to 500 times faster than typical North American residential networks. The network will also provide full community-wide Wi-Fi service. The ultra-high speed network will deliver internet connections starting at 100 megabits per second for residential customers and up to 10 gigabits per second for commercial customers – all at an extraordinarily competitive cost.  At present, broadband of this calibre is not available for residential users in Toronto, and commercial access is significantly less affordable in Toronto than in other leading world cities.

“We are a Toronto company, and we are excited to be working with Waterfront Toronto to build on our waterfront what will be one of the world’s leading community networks,” said Dan Armstrong, Founding Partner, President and CEO of Beanfield Metroconnect. “As the Internet continues to develop and revolutionize the way people live, work, play and learn, the tremendous capacity of the network will ensure that everyone on the waterfront is equipped to both use and potentially create the web-based technologies and applications of the future.”

Waterfront residents and businesses will have the highest performance internet services in Canada and guaranteed “among the best in the world” network services for more than a decade. Beanfield Metroconnect is required to ensure that the network is on par with that of the seven top global intelligent communities for 10 years beyond when the last building is built.
“The network is being built without taxpayer dollars,” said Campbell. “Waterfront Toronto has facilitated an arrangement where our private sector development partners will initially provide the upfront capital and Beanfield Metroconnect will also invest in building the network.”

As part of their monthly condo fees, residents will pay $60 for unlimited 100 megabit per second internet service, neighbourhood-wide Wi-Fi, and access to a unique community portal service, which will be developed to reflect local needs and interests.

The network will be “open-access” and residents and businesses will also be able to choose from a wide variety of content and service providers for internet, high-definition and internet protocol television, telephone, safety and security systems and more.

“This open, robust community-wide infrastructure will make the waterfront a living laboratory that encourages and supports innovation,” said Campbell. “The network we are building will enable the development of smart buildings, smart healthcare and smart education. Plus it can support new applications that promote better public safety and traffic management.”

Beanfield Metroconnect brings significant local knowledge and expertise to the project.  The pioneering company has built and operates a large fibre-optic network in downtown Toronto that provides service to more than 200 commercial buildings. It was also instrumental in helping to build the thriving technology and media hub in Toronto’s Liberty Village.

Waterfront Toronto has made major strides in revitalizing Toronto’s waterfront. In addition to building and improving 17 parks and public spaces, it has finalized development agreements with Great Gulf Group of Companies, Urban Capital and Hines for private sector projects on the waterfront, as well as with George Brown College for the development of their new state-of-the-art campus.

The Governments of Canada and Ontario and the City of Toronto created Waterfront Toronto to oversee and lead the renewal of Toronto’s waterfront. Public accessibility, design excellence, sustainable development, economic development and fiscal sustainability are the key drivers of waterfront revitalization.

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For more information, please contact Michelle Noble, Director of Communications, Waterfront Toronto 647-288-8048 or 416-294-7762, mnoble@waterfrontoronto.ca

MEDIA KIT:

NEWS RELEASE
BEANFIELD BACKGROUNDER
ULTRA-BROADBAND BACKGROUNDER
ULTRA-BROADBAND SERVICES FACT SHEET
“WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING” BACKGROUNDER

The transformation of Toronto’s eastern waterfront continues with the opening of Against the Grain, the first restaurant in the new East Bayfront community.

Located in the Corus Entertainment building right next to Canada’s Sugar Beach, this new gastro pub features a delicious menu, beautiful décor, large waterside patio and stunning views of Toronto’s habour.

Against the Grain is the first of many new restaurants, shop and cafés planned for the area as the new vibrant mixed-use neighbourhood gets built out.

By combining beautiful parks and animated spaces with successful commercial and residential development, East Bayfront will be a destination for residents and visitors alike.

Open seven days a week, check out Against the Grain for lunch, dinner or weekend brunch.

Against the Grain Urban Tavern
25 Dockside Drive, Corus Quay

For more information about Against the Grain, visit their website at www.atgurbantavern.ca.  Learn more about East Bayfront revitalization by visiting Waterfront Toronto’s website.

Members of the media are invited to an announcement about the development of a cutting-edge ultra-high-speed broadband network on Toronto’s waterfront.

On June 7, Waterfront Toronto and its new telecommunications partner will share their plans to wire Toronto’s new waterfront communities with the latest in smart technology infrastructure and make them among the most connected in the world. The briefing will provide an overview of the project, and its significance for Toronto’s waterfront revitalization and economic development in Toronto and Ontario.

WHO:

John Campbell, President and CEO, Waterfront Toronto
Dan Armstrong, President and CEO, Beanfield Metroconnects
Evan Kelly, Partner, PriceWaterhouseCoopers
John Jung, Chair and Co-founder, Intelligent Community Forum, and CEO, Canada Technology Triangle
Michael Thompson, Toronto City Councillor, and Chair, City of Toronto Economic Development Committee (to be confirmed)

WHAT: Media Briefing

WHEN: Tuesday, June 7, 2011 at 11a.m.

WHERE: Corus Entertainment, 8^th Floor Lounge

Corus Quay
25 Dockside Drive
Toronto, Ontario

For more information:
Michelle Noble, Communications & Marketing Director, Waterfront Toronto, 416-214-1344 ext.263

Toronto – Waterfront Toronto together with the Governments of Canada, Ontario and the City of Toronto celebrated the official start of construction for Underpass Park, a significant milestone in the development of the West Don Lands.

Underpass Park is the most extensive park to ever be built under an overpass in Canada, and the first of its kind in Toronto. The unique urban park is transforming the derelict space beneath the Eastern Avenue, Richmond and Adelaide overpasses into a bright and welcoming neighbourhood amenity and a key public space in the West Don Lands community.

“Underpass Park embodies the kind of infrastructure project the federal government stands four-square behind,” said Minister Flaherty.  “Transforming once derelict lands into inviting parks and open spaces is a direct investment in healthier and greener communities where businesses flourish and families thrive.”

“The transformation of the West Don Lands into a vibrant, flourishing community where people will live, work, play and learn is the kind of public infrastructure project that really excites us,” said Minister Murray. “Underpass Park is a welcome addition to a renewed waterfront where businesses want to invest, families choose to live and communities continue to thrive.”

“What makes Underpass Park so unique is the inspiration came from the overpass structure,” said Councillor Norm Kelly, Chair of Parks & Environment for the City of Toronto. “I am looking forward to the completion of the park so everyone in our city can take advantage of what will be a beautiful, open public space,” Kelly added.

The imposing concrete structures of the overpasses currently act as a barrier between the north and south parts of the community. Underpass Park innovatively re-engineers the area under the overpasses to create an inviting public space that connects the two parts of the West Don Lands, contributing to the vibrancy of the neighbourhood and the success of the development projects underway in the area.

“Underpass Park embodies design excellence and creativity,” said Mark Wilson. “Its design and adaptive reuse of derelict urban land raises the bar for urban space in the city and beyond.”

Designed by landscape architectural firm Phillips Farevaag Smallenberg with The Planning Partnership, Underpass Park maximizes the unique site conditions imposed by the massive concrete overpasses to convert a neighbourhood liability into a welcoming and distinct public space.

The park is being built in two phases, with the portion east of St. Lawrence Street adjacent to both the River City private sector development and the new affordable housing complex by Toronto Community Housing, being constructed first.  The first phase is expected to be complete by the end of 2011.  The second phase of the park, on the western side of St. Lawrence Street, will be built next.

Construction of Underpass Park is another sign of the momentum and progress being made in the West Don Lands, which will be home to the Athletes’ Village during the 2015 Pan Am Games.  Work is well underway throughout the West Don Lands, both in the area that will be home to the Athletes’ Village and the areas surrounding it.

Waterfront Toronto

Since 2005, Waterfront Toronto has opened more than 17 new or improved parks or public spaces including wavedecks, sports fields, revitalized trails and new waterfront parks.  Last year the organization opened Canada’s Sugar Beach and Sherbourne Common South in the new East Bayfront neighbourhood, and started construction of Don River Park in the West Don Lands. Waterfront Toronto has also finalized development agreements with Great Gulf Homes, Urban Capital and Hines for private sector projects on the waterfront, as well as with George Brown College for the development of their new state-of-the-art Medical Arts Building on Queens Quay.

The Governments of Canada and Ontario and the City of Toronto created Waterfront Toronto to oversee and lead the renewal of Toronto’s waterfront. Public accessibility, design excellence, sustainable development, economic development and fiscal sustainability are the key drivers of waterfront revitalization.

Media Contact:

Tari Stork, Manager, Project Communications, Waterfront Toronto

T: 416-214-1344 x 279 / C: 416-414-1577 / tstork@waterfrontoronto.ca

TORONTO – Waterfront Toronto together with the Government of Canada, Province of Ontario and City of Toronto will officially start construction of Underpass Park on Thursday, May 26.

Underpass Park is the most extensive park to ever be built under an overpass in Canada, and the first of its kind in Toronto. The unique urban park is transforming the derelict space beneath the Eastern Avenue, Richmond and Adelaide overpasses into a bright and welcoming neighbourhood amenity and a key public space in the West Don Lands community.

WHO:

Hon. James Flaherty, Federal Minister of Finance
Hon. Glen Murray, Ontario Minister of Research and Innovation
Mayor of Toronto (To be confirmed)
Pam McConnell, City of Toronto Councillor
Mark Wilson, Chair of Waterfront Toronto

WHAT: Official start of construction for Underpass Park

WHEN: Thursday, May 26, 2011 – 11 a.m. (rain or shine)

WHERE: Underpass Park construction site St. Lawrence Street, south of King Street under the Eastern Avenue and Richmond Street overpasses.

Please note: This is an active construction area so please take caution as you approach the site and wear closed-toe footwear.

For more information:
Tari Stork, Manager, Project Communications, T: 416-214-1344 ext. 279 / C: 416-414-1577         tstork@waterfrontoronto.ca