Many of you will have read the column by Alex Bozikovic in the August 29, 2026, Globe and Mail. It covered both the Weston’s Wittington project (St. Clair Square) on the northeast side of Yonge and St. Clair and the Community Cultural Centre where Delisle Court currently stands.
The visual in the Globe and Mail was the first time anyone from the community had an opportunity to see what our performing arts centre might look like as built. We also learned that in addition to a “roughly” 300-seat performance hall and a café, a new branch of the Toronto Public Library may be included, though this latter piece has not yet been confirmed. This is a bit different from what we first heard about the use of the space as well.
Whether or not a performing arts centre is a welcome addition to our “sleepy residential neighbourhood,” as described by Mr. Bozikovic, is not necessarily the issue. This project bypassed the normal new development process, where a developer, proud of their project, would present it to engaged and thoughtful neighbours. Instead, it went through the Committee of Adjustment – which is reserved, according to its own terms for “minor variances.” It is hard to conceive of the demolition of an entire city block as a minor variance; nonetheless that is where it went.
In any case, as the project was rejected at the Committee of Adjustment, Choice has launched an appeal with the Toronto Local Appeal Body (TLab) – a process under City jurisdiction where a hearing by a locally appointed member who, according to the City’s website, “will make decisions about local planning matters affecting Toronto neighbourhoods in a fair, consistent, fact-based and informed manner.”
This one-day hearing is now set for December 4 at 9:30 a.m.
Anyone can attend the hearing and submit material in advance according to the deadlines outlined in the hearing notice. Our neighbours at 10 Delisle will be presenting their case in opposition to the project.