News release: TCHC’s Gordonridge multi-sport court wins national design award

TORONTO, May 14, 2021—Toronto Community Housing's (TCHC) Gordonridge community multi-sport court in Scarborough has been recognized with a prestigious national award of excellence.

The Canadian Society of Landscape Architects (CSLA) has named ERA Architects, the project's lead architect, as winner of its Award of Excellence for Landscape Design. The award recognizes deep understanding of the craft of landscape architecture, excellence in leadership, innovation in concept and implementation, and environmental awareness.

The award-winning design of the multi-sport recreation space is the result of a partnership between ERA Architects, TCHC's landscape architecture and tenant engagement teams, and the Gordonridge community, whose ideas and input shaped the final design.

Alongside TCHC's $180,000 investment, MLSE Foundation and Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities contributed a $300,000 grant to fund the project. The court construction was completed in summer 2020. ERA Architects led a consortium of architects on the project, and Lomco Ltd. was the general landscape contractor.

Gordonridge tenant leaders Nichola Bynoe and Leon Carpenter were among the many Gordonridge tenants who advised TCHC and the architectural team on the design and function of the new space. Ms. Bynoe and Mr. Carpenter said that the multi-sport aspect of the court—it can accommodate tennis, basketball, and other sports and has running and walking tracks—was influenced by younger tenants who asked that the court provide elder tenants with a walking track and comfortable area to observe the games, enabling the space to benefit the whole community and be a welcoming place for tenants of all ages and abilities.

Quotes

"We are extremely proud of the outcome achieved through this outstanding partnership. The court's innovative design was directly shaped by community input to meet the needs of Gordonridge tenants of all ages. It's an outstanding example of how organizations can partner to deliver positive outcomes for TCHC communities."

- Sheila Penny, Acting President and Chief Executive Officer, TCHC 

"Whether through our gardens, our delivery of meals to seniors or this new multi-sport court, Gordonridge prides itself on its welcoming environment."

- Nichola Bynoe, Gordonridge community tenant leader

"Tenants wanted to ensure that both youths and older residents would benefit from the new multi-sport court."

- Leon Carpenter, Gordonridge community tenant leader

"The award-winning projects highlight new approaches and illustrate the levels of expertise to be mobilized to address current social, cultural and environmental challenges."

- Bernard St-Denis, Chair of the 2021 Award of Excellence jury
 

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About the Gordonridge community

Residents of Scarborough's Gordonridge community have an outstanding track record of mobilizing as volunteers. During the pandemic, a tenant-run Gordonridge food co-operative pivoted from producing meals for community events to cooking hot meals for residents, enlisting community teens to deliver the meals to seniors. The community has also created a garden, complete with fruit trees and a honey-producing beehive, and volunteers also support a community centre, health clinics and a daycare.
 

About Toronto Community Housing (TCHC)

Toronto Community Housing is Canada's largest social housing provider. We are owned by the City of Toronto and provide homes for nearly 60,000 low- and moderate-income households in more than 100 of the city's neighbourhoods. Our buildings represent a $10-billion public asset.

Media contact:

TCHC Media Line 416-737-1352 or media@torontohousing.ca