ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT
Date: January 16, 1996
TO: Vancouver City Council
FROM: Manager of Community Services - Social Planning, in
consultation with the Director of Legal Services and the
Manager of Real Estate Services
SUBJECT: Lease for Collingwood Neighbourhood House,
including the Community Gym and Childcare Centre
RECOMMENDATION
THAT Council approve a 5-year lease, commencing November 25,
1995, of the site and improvements at 5288 Joyce Street, legally
described as Lot 1, Block A, D.L. 37, Plan 12815, to Collingwood
Neighbourhood House Society, at a nominal rent of $1 (one dollar)
per annum, under the terms generally described in this report.
GENERAL MANAGER'S COMMENTS
The General Manager of Community Services RECOMMENDS approval of
the foregoing.
COUNCIL POLICY
On July 7, 1994, Council approved, in principle, that Collingwood
Neighbourhood House Society will be the lessee and operator of the
Collingwood Village amenities.
In June 1993, City Council agreed that City-owned purpose-built social
service or cultural facilities are to be kept as assets of the Capital
Fund, and that the annual rent for leased Capital Fund properties is
to be one dollar.
At least eight affirmative votes are required for approval of below-
market rental rates.
PURPOSE
With this report, Council approval is sought for the terms of a lease
to Collingwood Neighbourhood House Society for the newly completed
social services facility at 5288 Joyce Street.
BACKGROUND
On June 24, 1993, Council approved rezoning the Joyce/Vanness
industrial area to CD-1. As a condition of rezoning, the developer
(VLC Properties Ltd.) was required to provide 25,000 square feet of
community amenities, which includes a neighbour-hood house, a 69 space
child day care facility and a community gym. Upon completion of
construction, the entire facility was to be City-owned.
About a year later, in July 1994, City Council formally designated
Collingwood Neighbourhood House Society as the future lessee and
operator of the entire facility, and instructed staff to prepare terms
of lease agreement between the City and the Society.
Construction of the new facility was completed late last summer. In
September 1995, the neighbourhood house moved into the new building
and new childcare and gym programs began. The official opening of the
facility was held on November 25, 1995.
Over the past six months, City staff have been discussing and refining
draft lease agreements with Collingwood Neighbourhood House staff and
Board members. We now have an agreement which meets the needs and
concerns of both parties.
DISCUSSION
The proposed agreement is based on typical City lease agree-ments,
with a few sections which deal with the specifics of the Collingwood
facility. In general, the terms of the agreement are:
Term: 5 years
Rent: $1 per year
Services: CNH commits to provide to the satisfaction of the City
the full range of social and recreational services that
the facility was intended for, including the operation
of the neighbourhood house, childcare centre and gym.
Repairs: CNH is responsible for all repairs, except major ones
which are the responsibility of the City.
Insurance: CNH is responsible for carrying full liability and
property insurance.
Subleasing: None of the space can be rented out, except for short
term, non-commercial rentals (to permit use by
community groups).
CONCLUSION
A draft lease agreement has been prepared for Collingwood
Neighbourhood House. Council ratification of this lease is now
required.
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