Boulevarde revitalisation helps Toronto town centre rediscover its mojo

Discontent with the council, the dilapidated condition of the main street, and the perceived advantages of other town centres conspired to create a mood of apathy, at best, and despair, at worst, among the local business community.

That was despite the aesthetic advantages the lakeside CBD enjoyed.

But as Lake Macquarie City Council started work last year on its $4.1 million Toronto Streetscape Master Plan, three things changed: the destructive fig trees were pulled out; new pavements and landscaping were layed down; and locals genuinely started to feel better about the place.

“For sure,” Toronto Chamber of Commerce secretary Brenda Hartmire said.

“It showed that the council is very confident about Toronto going ahead and remaining a vibrant community, which is what we’ve got.”

That change in mood has been reflected in the chamber, which now has a full complement of nine on its board.

Our picture shows the new board. From left is president Steve Cull (of Go-Vita Toronto), Bill Layfield (Toronto Lions), Janice Bendich (Lake Macquarie Historical Society), Tony Cummins (Royal Motor Yacht Club, Toronto), secretary Brenda Hartmire (Lake Side Marketing and Events), Sue Miles (ANZ Bank), Roger Easton (Highland Honey), vice-president David Westerman (First National Toronto), and treasurer Chris Rose (Paperworks+ Toronto).

“The enthusiasm here is great,” Ms Hartmire said.

“There are people wanting to get involved. There are actually other people who would now like to be on the board, but we’re full.”

The change hasn’t come as a surprise to Ms Hartmire.

“When you’ve got exciting projects like we’re doing in Toronto, how could you now want to be involved?” she said.

Among the events coming to Toronto are the Blast from the Past: Rock and Roll Picnic (Sunday, May 21), Toronto Arts and Crafts Show (June 4), Greater Toronto Sprng Fair (October 21), and Toronto Festival of Lights (December 2 to 24) featuring Carols by the Lake (December 8).