The Firgrove-Grassways Community: History and future of “Connections” come together in community gathering

BY: Miwako Chang

Firgrove-Grassways is a tight-knit community, home to families since the 1970s. Over 5 years ago, many of those families were uprooted when part of the complex was deemed uninhabitable due to the disrepair of the buildings. Those families had to be reallocated in a rush, and an effort was started to rebuild the community. With the demolition of all the buildings now completed, a revitalization project has the main objective of working to put this community back together. On Saturday, October 1st, an important step was taken to ensure that the history of "Connections" is not lost to time." Revitalization efforts are working to provide this community with resources to ensure its success for years to come while reflecting on the neighbourhood's roots and its progress and impact to date. 

In 2021, Toronto Community Housing (TCH) began revitalization for the Firgrove-Grassways community. The initiative was guided by the new approval framework for TCHC revitalization. The revised process includes City Council approval of the Initial Development Proposal report and the submission of a planning application. The Firgrove Revitalization Plan was approved by City Council and is awaiting approval on their planning application after submission in March 2020. The initiative's development plan is established and approved, with the project awaiting federal funding.

Longtime community member Lennox Holdfort moved into the Firgrove-Grassways Community with his parents in the 1970s and lived and worked there for years. Since then, he has been proud to call this his home. He was in the hospital when he found out about the demolition. He spoke with various organizations and Anthony Perruzza, with whom he expressed his concerns. Councillor Perruzza connected him to various resources and organizations within the city to give the Firgrove community to pay tribute to the place they had called home. “This is for the residents. This is for us”, he says.

On October 1, the Tribute to Firgrove Connection Grassways event was held. Gathered on the community’s basketball court were residents of all ages enjoying the company of their neighbours with music, entertainment, and featured speakers.

“This event held so much weight for myself and our community because it marked the celebration of history, heritage, and culture.”, says Venesha Cardwell, a key organizer for the event. “Watching former residents reconnect and hearing their stories decades later brought life to the space and displayed the family culture that continues to exist here.”

The Firgrove Immersive Media Project is a community-run project that features a collection of stories, memories, and experiences within the community delivered through audio, video, and images. This interactive online media experience, viewable with VR technology, enables participants to move to various spots within the community. As individuals explore the community, they have an opportunity to interact with one another through the platform’s voice and chat features. Explore the project at hubs.mozilla.com/cmX726h.

Completing the revitalization efforts will bring new, quality infrastructure to the community, with resources including a community center, daycare, park, pool, green space, and more. This initiative has a mixed-income vision, with the reconstruction of all 236 rent-to-income replacement units, in addition to the construction of up to 600 market-rate homes. Prior residents will be given priority after re-development.

Lorraine Anderson, the Executive Director for the Firgrove Learning and Innovation Community Center says that her team, in partnership with other organizations, will continue “to work together to create homeownership, expand employment and educational opportunities for the community.”

Tenants are encouraged to share their thoughts and feedback regarding the project by reaching out to Revitalization staff, Marveh Farhoodi and Will Mendes and visiting the Revitalization office located on 22 Needle Firway. Generations of families and their communities have and continue to call Firgrove-Grassways their home. The revitalization initiative will bring quality resources to the community to ensure the maintenance of the rich culture and deep bonds for decades to come.