Not long ago you may have heard of this project known as the 'Under Gardiner Project'. Things have come a long way since then. What started as an idea for a great community space, turned into the perfect opportunity to engage and involve that same community. After over 800 name suggestions were made, 'The Bentway' was the winning title. Now that the Gardiner Restoration Project is coming to a close, the real work can begin on the Bentway, and this great idea can become a reality.
The design has advanced enough that phases of construction have been planned for the coming year. Beginning in July of 2017 you can expect work to be done on connecting trails and landscaping, as well as completion of a platform in front of the Fort York Visitor Centre, and the beginnings of a large performance space.
The 2nd Phase is set to be completed by Winter 2017, and will including a skating trail and building, as the above rendering depicts. Phase 3, set for summer 2018 will be the last step of construction. This final phase will include adding the finishing touches to the trail connections, finalizing landscaping, and the full completion of the performance space.
The Bentway program will be maintained and operated by The Bentway Conservancy, which is in the final stages of becoming incorporated. The hiring process has already begun for some of the primary staff positions. As well, a board is being formed, and the development of other governing bodies, and organizational systems is underway. These are all necessary steps in seeing this design come to life, and this community space to function as planned. Conversations and collaboration between these organizations, as well as with the Fort York National Historic Site have begun, in order to discuss how to bring arts, recreation, technology, and youth and community activism to the program. Curating the program, and having these discussions will help create a clear focus of how the space will be used by Torontonians.
One final development is also in the works: a new website! This new site will feature the new branding concept of the project as well, and is set to launch this month. As the work on the Gardiner finishes up, the work on the Bentway can start soon, and this exciting new public space will begin its transformation.
Images via undergardiner.com
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