Martin Blake Talks Regent Park

One of, if not the most, impressive transformations happening in Toronto right now is the work being done at Regent Park.

About seven years ago, Daniels and Toronto Community Housing Corporation (TCHC) partnered to redevelop the Regent Park neighbourhood. The area was once in a state of disrepair, and now Regent Park has a new park, some contemporary towers planned, and other great updated community spaces. Towers like Paintbox and One Cole have already made a huge impact, and there is more coming!

This week, the Toronto Star's NewInHomes.com team toured Regent Park and talked with Daniels Vice-President Martin Blake, who discussed his thoughts on Regent Park.

“One of the biggest destination points has been the aquatic centre. It went up a few months ago and has been incredibly popular. It’s the first regional aquatic centre since the amalgamation of the City of Toronto, and it’s free. On the weekends, it’s packed with cars from people driving down. It’s a great setup; you have water slides, and three pools. The initial reception has been outstanding.”

The aquatic centre won't be the only sports facility option for those within Regent Park. Daniels is partnering with the MLSE Team Up Foundation to develop a new athletic field - one that will give Regent Park residents priority access and be run by a community agency.

“We announced plans last year for our athletic centre, which will be located where two of the current apartment buildings stand. It will include a soccer field, which also can be converted to a cricket pitch. These buildings will come down in November, which will allow us to start construction on the athletic fields in the spring. It’s really going to be a destination area for sports grounds, right beside the school.”

Regent Park has developed so much; a true community is beginning to form. Blake commented:

“Just this weekend, a resident at Paintbox was telling me that one of the things she loves is that within the Paintbox bistro, they do something called ‘Jazz for Kids.’ They bring in people who play jazz, and the kids get to enjoy it. The kids are up there with musical instruments and that kind of stuff. When she bought here, she never expected the scope of the changes and the ability to connect with neighbours that she’s had here. She loves it here, and I have a feeling that type of story is one that we will be hearing a lot about.”

Do you remember what Regent Park was like 10 years ago? Daniels and the TCHC have made a huge difference, but they’re not done yet.

“When you think of the concentration of things we have brought to the area – the athletic fields, the parks, an aquatic centre, the new Nelson Mandela school, and the new community centre, which will be three times larger than the existing one — you get a sense of just how much is getting put in. It’s a great area now, but we are only halfway there. Imagine what it’s going to be like once we are finished.”

We are really looking forward to watching Regent Park grow as a community. Stay tuned. We’ll be keeping an eye on this amazing neighbourhood.