Over the coming months Toronto and Region Conservation will be finalizing plans for the redevelopment of Bolton Camp into a regional outdoor recreation and community learning centre.
As part of this process, we are proposing to repurpose Bolton Camp from its previous use as an overnight summer camp for youth and families of Toronto to a community gathering space that provides programming to participants of all ages. Proposed programming at the new Bolton Camp will include adventure, sports and fitness activities, community art and culture programs, outdoor education and training, leadership development and social entrepreneurship opportunities.
Our vision for this new facility is that of a place where people come together to learn, live, play and share in experiences. Think of a community centre turned inside out.
While respecting the historic features of the property, the new Bolton Camp may have sports fields, a gymnasium, pool, green fitness equipment, yoga classes, running clinics, an outdoor community kitchen, smoothie or coffee bar, tree-top tours/canopy tours, ropes courses, community theatre and art spaces, retail or market space and outdoor classrooms/collaboration spaces.
For the New Bolton Camp to be successful, programming should be responsive to the needs of all members of our community. This will take a different approach. With this in mind, we intend to open Bolton Camp up to a range of potential partners and contributors, including social enterprises, youth entrepreneurs and others, to take a shared stake in the success of this community venture and asset.
In order to achieve this we need to engage members of the community in the planning and development of this new asset. To this end we are looking for two (2) residents from Peel Region to sit as citizen representatives on the Bolton Camp Redevelopment Committee.
The Bolton Camp Redevelopment Committee is being created to support the development of Bolton Camp as a community asset and resource. The purpose of the Committee is to:
· Identify and cultivate new programming or enterprise opportunities that align with the Bolton Camp vision.
· Assist TRCA in developing new partnerships in support of the redevelopment of Bolton Camp.
· Support ongoing implementation of the Bolton Camp vision.
· Encourage public awareness of Bolton Camp, its history, and future plans for redevelopment of this community asset.
· Assist in a capital campaign for site redevelopment.
The Committee is to be comprised of members with a range of skills, expertise and abilities, including:
· strategic planning;
· business development;
· community facilities, including open space and sport and recreational planning;
· arts and culture planning and programming;
· social planning;
· heritage; and
· design and built form.
If you are interested in participating in this exciting process, please send a resume or overview of experiences to Kathy Stranks, Manager, Chair and CEO’s Office at Toronto and Region Conservation at kstranks@trca.on.ca
Submissions will be accepted until April 16, 2014
