The 519 Church Community Centre has submitted a report to the city today proposing the development of a new LGBTQ-focused sports and recreation centre. If approved, negotiations will begin with Infrastructure Ontario to build the centre on the Wheel and Foundry Complex, located near Underpass Park.

"The new community centre will be the first of its kind anywhere in the world, providing a welcoming, inclusive space for Torontonians, and particularly LGBT people to participate in sport." said Tyler Fleming, Chair of The 519 Board.

On the money side, the proposed community centre would come in $100 million. Two-thirds of the funds are to be collected through private donations, and the remaining one-third would come from the government. While the facility will focus on the LGBTQ communities, it will also provide recreation space for residents in the rapidly developing West Don Lands neighbourhood. It would also demonstrate global leadership when it comes to LGBTQ city building initiatives.

Once built, the centre will be owned by the City of Toronto and operated by The 519. Read the proposal to city council here.

Photo by Neal Jennings on Flickr