Building Community: Swansea from Rural Suburb to City Neighborhood
Neighbourhood: Swansea
Meeting Location: High Park subway station, Quebec exit
Start Time: 10:00am
David Crombie
Join David Crombie for a stroll through his childhood neighborhood of Swansea. Meeting at the High Park subway station, Quebec exit at 10:00 am, we will spend up to two hours exploring the one square mile that once comprised the inner suburban village of Swansea, prior to its amalgamation with the city in 1969.
Walking along today’s bustling Bloor West Village shopping area, David will refer to buildings of historical significance and sites that saw generations of activity, such as “the Minis”and the old Runnymede theatre. Heading south on Windermere and along Deforest to Lavinia, we will stop at the Swansea Fire Hall and visit the Swansea Town Hall and Community Centre, where the unique character of the Swansea community and its origins has been preserved by highlighting the contributions and legacy of past residents. Continuing down to Swansea Public School and then through Rennie Park, we will finish the walk at the edge of High Park’s Grenadier Pond, a bit of wild in the city.
David Crombie is a former Mayor of Toronto, Member of Parliament, and has served as Federal Cabinet Minister. He served as Chancellor of Ryerson Polytechnic University in Toronto and was conferred to the title of Chancellor Emeritus in 2006. He has received a Doctor of Laws (honoris causa) from the University of Toronto for his contribution to his native Toronto and a Doctor of Laws (honoris causa) from the University of Waterloo for his contribution to the quality of life of Canadians and the environment.
A member of many community organizations, he is President and CEO of the Canadian Urban Institute, Chair of Ontario Place Corporation, the Founding Chair of the Waterfront Regeneration Trust and President of David Crombie & Associates Inc. He also serves as Chair of the Advisory Council for the Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO). David Crombie has been appointed as an Officer to the Order of Canada.