By Gerald V. Paul

When The Camera dropped in at the new site for Tropicana Community Services, we learnt that the first phase complete with office space, the reception area and five counseling rooms, will be completed this year.

The second phase will involve the installation of a gymnasium, computer labs, a studio, a kitchen and community meeting rooms. This phase is expected to be completed by the end of March, 2014.

Yes, with a $500 seed money in 1980, the pioneers’ vision was to help Caribbean-Canadian youth in a specific area in Scarborough.
Today, with a recent infusion from the federal government of $613,090; $2 million from the Province and $500,000 from the Ontario Trillium Foundation, the $10 million operation is in good hands with Executive Director Sharon Shelton, backed by the United Way.

“As we serve 22,000 annually, the improvement of our facilities will have a tremendous impact on the community. We look forward to creating even more dynamic programming and serving an increased number of clients,” Shelton told The Camera on Tuesday.

“Our Government is committed to creating jobs, growth and long-term prosperity for Canadians through investments in our communities. By improving facilities such as this one, we are helping to boost economic activity and maintain a high quality of life for residents of all ages,” Corneliu Chisu, Member of Parliament for Pickering Scarborough-East, sai as he made the presentation via the Government’s Economic Action Plan 2012 .

The new home, a one-stop shop, is 1385 Huntingwood Dr. a 28,000 sq. foot former sports apparel warehouse near McCowan Road.
For information on naming rights, kindly contact Tka Pinnock at 416-439-9009 ext. 230