<![CDATA[SLNA - St. Lawrence Neighbourhood Association - Archives]]>Wed, 08 Jul 2026 18:43:48 -0700EditMySite<![CDATA[SLNA Canada Day Celebration -- July 1: 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM, St. James Park]]>Thu, 25 Jun 2026 16:55:42 GMThttps://www.slna.ca/archives/slna-canada-day-celebration-july-1-1100-am-to-600-pm-st-james-parkSLNA's Canada Day Celebration - 2026​

The St. Lawrence Neighbourhood Association's Canada Day Celebration has nearly doubled in scale and scope for 2026, compared with the last several years.
Highlights of this year's Canada Day program include:
  • entertainment all day, from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM
    • see schedule opposite
  • the Kid's Zone has been expanded and extended, this year from 11:00 AM until 4:00 PM, including:
    • t-shirt painting (kids shirts are free, while supplies last)
    • face painting
    • henna and tattoo artists
    • caricature artist
    • photo booth, and more...
  • Canadian flag cakes (unveiling at 1:00 pm at the main stage), and an open invitation to the Canada Day barbecue hosted by St. James Cathedral
  • an expanded Community engagement and information area, featuring local representatives from all three levels of government, plus SLNA Board members and development, heritage and waste reduction group experts

Entertainment Schedule:
​The entertainment program has been extended for 2026, and will run from 11:00 AM until 6:00 PM. All performances will take place on the stage of the Michael Comstock Pavilion in St. James Park.

​Program Highlights:
  • 11:10 Bruce Bell - local historian
  • 11:30 Ensemble Topaz – south Asian dance
  • 12:00 Smile Serenades - music from Smile Theatre performers 
  • 1:00 Dereck Ayum - steelpan artist
  • 2:00 Alan Cohen - popular local jazz quartet
  • 3:00 Red Rhythm & Blues - indigenous indigiblues band
  • 4:00 Danny Marks - iconic Toronto rocker and bluesman
  • 6:00 program ends
Note: Times are approximate; artists subject to change

Donations and Food Drive:
Cash donations and donations of non-perishable food items to the Canada Day food drive will be accepted at the SLNA tent and at the Kid's Zone tent throughout the day's programming. Donations to the food drive can also be made by e-transfer to Treasurer@slna.ca. Charitable receipts available on requestfor donations of $20.00 or more. 

Join SLNA and your neighbours for all or part of the day's events.
Bring the kids; bring your friends; bring a picnic.
​We look forward to seeing you there.
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]]><![CDATA[Ontario Line - Tunnel Boring begins; final station names announced]]>Thu, 16 Apr 2026 20:22:24 GMThttps://www.slna.ca/archives/ontario-line-tunnel-boring-begins-final-station-names-announcedPicture
The provincial government announced today that tunnelling has officially begun for the downtown segment of the Ontario Line. Two tunnel boring machines are about to begin digging twin tunnels which will run six kilometers from the launch shaft near Exhibition Station to the Don Yard, just west of the lower Don River.

In the same announcement, Metrolinx confirmed the new names chosen for several downtown stations “that better reflect well-known Toronto neighbourhoods.”
  • Corktown will be known as Distillery District;
  • King-Bathurst will be known as King West,
  • Queen-Spadina as Chinatown, and
  • Riverside-Leslieville as Leslieville.
A revised rendering of the Distillery District Station at King St. E. and Parliament St.
[Note that the towers which will comprise the Transit Oriented Community to be built on and around the station are not shown.]
]]><![CDATA[St. Lawrence CRC — new air conditioning installation complete]]>Tue, 31 Mar 2026 17:22:44 GMThttps://www.slna.ca/archives/st-lawrence-crc-new-air-conditioning-installation-complete
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Great News! The new chiller and cooling towers have been delivered and successfully installed at the St. Lawrence Community Recreation Centre, 230 The Esplanade. This summer's activities will be 'cooler' for all.
]]><![CDATA[East Waterfront Transit — Governments Commit to Advance Transit to Unlock Housing, Jobs and a Connected Eastern Waterfront]]>Mon, 30 Mar 2026 19:20:12 GMThttps://www.slna.ca/archives/east-waterfront-transit-governments-commit-to-advance-transit-to-unlock-housing-jobs-and-a-connected-eastern-waterfront
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March 30, 2026 | TORONTO, ON — The Government of Canada and the Province of Ontario today announced their commitment to a cost-sharing agreement alongside the City of Toronto to advance Waterfront East Transit — a landmark commitment to unlock housing, connect communities, and drive economic growth along Toronto’s eastern waterfront.  

More than a transit project, Waterfront East Transit is a critical piece of infrastructure needed to help revitalize Toronto’s Eastern waterfront. By extending higher-order transit across the eastern waterfront to the Port Lands at the new Island called Ookwemin Minising, the project will unlock new neighbourhoods, connect people to jobs and destinations, and provide the certainty needed to deliver thousands of new homes.

Waterfront East Transit will ultimately support approximately 75,000 homes, helping to address Toronto’s housing needs while enabling long-term growth for the city, region, and country.

The project will serve more than 150,000 people who will live and work along the eastern waterfront and accommodate over 50,000 daily riders, connecting into a broader transportation network that includes new roads, trails, bridges, and streetcars, integrated with other major public transit hubs.  

Public investment in enabling infrastructure delivers economic growth. Alongside the recently announced $975 million tri-government investment in enabling housing infrastructure on the waterfront, Waterfront East Transit is expected to create more than 100,000 jobs and generate more than $13.2 billion in economic value, delivering lasting economic impact locally, provincially, and nationally.

Today is another advancement in the continued commitment of all three levels of government to work together to deliver the infrastructure required to build connected, inclusive, and complete communities on Toronto’s waterfront. 

Source: Waterfront Toronto​
]]><![CDATA[Construction to Start: David Crombie Park Revitalization & the Esplanade-Mill Street Connection Project]]>Mon, 09 Mar 2026 16:41:41 GMThttps://www.slna.ca/archives/construction-to-start-david-crombie-park-revitalization-the-esplanade-mill-street-connection-project
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​​The park block between Lower Jarvis Street and George Street and the park block between Lower 
Sherbourne Street and Princess Street, is planned to close as of March 16, 2026, to prepare for the first 
phase of construction at David Crombie Park. The closure date is subject to change based on weather 
and site conditions. Street access will remain open.

Construction at David Crombie Park will begin in March 2026 and proceed in phases to allow the 
community to continue using most park spaces and pathways throughout the project. The overall project 
is anticipated to be complete in 2028.

During construction, nearby residents can expect typical construction-related impacts, including noise, 
construction activity, and temporary changes to pedestrian circulation. Access to building lobbies and 
residential entrances will be maintained at all times. Where short-term detours are required, clear signage 
will be installed and maintained to help guide pedestrians safely around the work zone.

For more project information: toronto.ca/DavidCrombiePark
]]><![CDATA[Quayside: an immersive new look]]>Thu, 19 Feb 2026 16:53:00 GMThttps://www.slna.ca/archives/an-immersive-new-look-at-quayside-and-beyond
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Waterfront Toronto is excited to share a new immersive experience that brings into focus the transformation of public spaces happening around Quayside. 

This interactive experience highlights how work today is setting the foundation for new homes, future transit, and a vibrant, people‑first community. Take a look and discover how today’s progress is building tomorrow’s waterfront. 

Link: https://www.waterfrontoronto.ca/qipr-experience/

​Note: the animation is accessible with embedded transcripts and was created without sound.
]]><![CDATA[Weekend closures: Jan 30-Feb 2; sections of the Don Valley Parkway and Gardiner Expressway]]>Thu, 22 Jan 2026 20:18:04 GMThttps://www.slna.ca/archives/weekend-closure-of-sections-of-the-don-valley-parkway-and-gardiner-expressway-jan-30-feb-2What is happening?
  • From Friday, January 30, at 11 p.m., to Monday, February 2, 2026, at 5 a.m., sections of the Don Valley Parkway (DVP) and Gardiner Expressway will be closed to traffic to allow construction crews to move the eastern section of the new Lower Don Bridge over the DVP to its permanent location. Refer to the map below and the “Traffic Details” section below for more detailed information.
  • This work coincides with additional road works the City of Toronto is carrying out within the closure area. These include road maintenance, survey work and bridge rehabilitation.
  • This work is scheduled on the weekend to minimize traffic impacts during the work week. The closure will ensure that all activities are completed as safely and quickly as possible.
  • No pedestrian impacts are expected.
Traffic details
  • Sarting at Bayview Avenue on the DVP, all southbound traffic lanes will be closed until meeting with the Gardiner Expressway, where the lanes will continue to be closed westbound until Lower Jarvis Street. Access will be blocked to the Bayview Avenue on-ramp heading southbound. The Lower Jarvis Street on-ramp for westbound traffic will remain open.
  • Starting at Bay Street on the Gardiner Expressway, all eastbound traffic lanes will be closed until meeting with the DVP, where lanes will continue to be closed northbound until Eastern Avenue. Access will be blocked to the Gardiner Expressway on-ramps heading eastbound at both Rees and Bay streets. Access will also be blocked to the DVP on-ramp heading northbound on the Don Roadway.
  • A northbound detour is in place using Jarvis Street and Queen Street East. A southbound detour is in place using Bayview Avenue, Gerrard Street, and Jarvis Street.
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]]><![CDATA[Toronto Public Library announces location of new District Library]]>Thu, 27 Nov 2025 17:50:54 GMThttps://www.slna.ca/archives/toronto-public-library-announces-location-of-new-district-libraryToronto Public Library
St. Lawrence Branch Relocation – Update

Moe Hosseini-Ara, the City Librarian, has released a report dated December 1 updating the information on the relocation of the St. Lawrence Branch of the Toronto Public Library (TPL).
https://blogs.tpl.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/27-st-lawrence-branch-relocation-update.pdf

The following are extracts from that report:
  • “The purpose of this report is to provide an update on the acquisition of 339 Queen St. East to establish a new district branch for the community, replacing the existing and much smaller St. Lawrence branch which is currently classified as a neighbourhood branch.
  • “The property transaction closed November 21, 2025, as a result the details of this transaction may now be made public.
  • “This location will provide a much-needed larger district library while also offering additional benefits by relocating TPL’s Information Technology Services (ITS) department from 120 Martin Ross Avenue, allowing that property to be transferred to the City for use in supporting broader City priorities.
  • “The building at 339 Queen Street East is a recently renovated three-story heritage building with approximately 40,000 square feet of space comprised of 30,000 square feet above grade and 10,000 square feet in the lower level. The three floors above grade are ideal for a district branch and the lower level will serve as the future site of TPL’s Information Technology Service offices and data centre.
  • “The relocation and significant expansion of the St. Lawrence branch helps to achieve various strategic plan priorities and goals including:
    • “Enhancing physical spaces to provide welcoming, safe, inclusive, and sustainable multi-use environments;
    • “Establishing spaces that build resilience and belonging in every neighbourhood;
    • “Creating in-branch environments that connect neighbourhoods and communities, offering opportunities for partnerships, civic engagement and resident participation.
  • “The [current] St. Lawrence branch at 171 Front Street East, is a City-owned/Toronto Community Housing Commission (TCHC) site. The branch is 4,833 square feet and is both significantly undersized and has substantial state of good repair issues due to the overall condition of the facility and ongoing building maintenance issues resulting from the residential housing located above the branch.
  • “The relocation of St. Lawrence branch has been part of TPL’s capital plan since 2008, recognizing the requirement for a larger branch to meet the needs of this underserved community. Three locations have been previously considered:
    • “281 Front Street East (the former site of the Library processing centre);
    • “271 Front Street East (the site of the former First Parliament of Canada);
      • “271 Front Street East was expropriated by the Province and the future of a library being built on this site was uncertain; and
    • “125 The Esplanade;
      • “[options explored] for the 125 The Esplanade site … include[d] other City and community uses, including affordable housing to be co-located with the library.
  • “The building at 339 Queen Street East – [the] new location for the St. Lawrence branch delivers a much-needed larger library in a substantially shorter timeframe and at lower cost than any of the previously considered locations.”
The St. Lawrence Neighbourhood Association supports the accelerated timeframe made possible by the acquisition of 339 Queen St. E. for the new TPL district branch, and will continue to advocate strongly with TPL to provide selected neighbourhood library services in the western portion of the St. Lawrence Neighbourhood.
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]]><![CDATA[Decorated garbage receptacles in the St. Lawrence neighbourhood]]>Mon, 20 Oct 2025 20:01:47 GMThttps://www.slna.ca/archives/october-20th-2025Just completed: a successful Participatory Budgeting project, approved in the 2023 cycle; a pilot project to design and install decorative wraps on six garbage receptacles in the St. Lawrence Neighbourhood.
​SLNA worked closely with the Toronto Centre Councillor's office and STEPS Public Art to select an artist and develop two different designs which evoke the spirit and feel of the neighbourhood.
The wraps were installed in October 2025 at four locations around Berczy Park and two locations further east, on the south side of Front St. E., near the St. Lawrence Market.
See more details on the Events Page.
]]><![CDATA[Front St. E. Overnight Closure: Berkeley to Parliament]]>Thu, 02 Oct 2025 19:03:24 GMThttps://www.slna.ca/archives/front-st-e-overnight-closure-berkeley-to-parliamentNote: This work may begin as early as October 3, 2025.

To support construction of the future station at Corktown, Metrolinx crews will be installing new overhead electrical connections to supply additional power for equipment on site. The overhead wiring will be installed over Front Street East.

To ensure public safety during the installation process, all lanes and sidewalks on Front Street East from Berkeley Street to Parliament Street will be fully closed for up to two nights. 
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