SLNA takes back seat on marathon cheering-section plans

Dennis Hanagan —

A commemorative book to showcase the St. Lawrence Neighbourhood to the Western Hemisphere is in the works.

It will publish in conjunction with the 2015 PanAm/Parapan Am Games.  From July 10-26 and Aug. 7-15 the attention of the Americas will be on Toronto and especially neighbourhoods located near the Athletes Village in the West Don Lands area.
“It’s meant to represent ourselves to the Western Hemisphere,” Steve Lowden, a director with the St. Lawrence Neighbourhood Association, told the group’s February meeeting.

Conversations that local school children—from St Michael’s Catholic School and Market Lane Public School—have had with people in the 41 countries participating in the games will be included in the book.

Appropriately, the project is called Forty One. To be launched April 14 at 6 p.m. at St. Lawrence Hall.

The book is the inspiration for a visual installation, a dance performance and a mural project. With help from Jamii and the St. Lawrence Recreation Centre, a new mural will be created on the centre’s outdoor pool wall.

In other SLNA news:

• Members voted to have another community group take on the role of leading the cheerleading section at the annual Scotiabank Marathon because the task requires a considerable amount of effort.

• Guest speakers Ken White of New Visions on The Esplanade told how his group helps children and adults with developmental and physical disabilities participate in society, and ARCH lawyer Dianne Wintermute said her group advocates to have the disabled receive social justice and be included in society. ARCH is at Sherbourne and Bloor Streets.

• Members were asked to spread the word that Ontario’s Local Health Integration Network (LHIN) is funding fitness classes twice a week for area seniors to help them stay healthy and avoid falls. For more information call 416-847-0258 or visit www.carefirstseniors.com.

• St. Lawrence library users were told that on Feb. 13 the library sustained water damage, lost heat and would be closed for a couple of weeks. Users were asked to return their due books to the closest library and that “holds” were being shipped to the Parliament Street library.

• Tom Davidson, assistant to Ward 28 Councillor Pam McConnell, said a new park is planned for the waterfront south of Queens Quay between Captain John’s Restaurant and Pier 27.

• On May 9 the St. Lawrence Recreation Centre will hold a street sale. Tables will be set up along the Esplanade’s south side. For more information email doug.maybank@sympatico.ca or call 416-867-3931.