Leaside’s old Town Hall has been purchased by ABC Academy Child Care, the South Bayview Bulldog has learned. Sale of the heritage building was known but the name of its new owners was not. Not until the dynamic child care firm contacted the Bulldog with the news. The company will open a child car centre in the Town Hall building at 235 McRae Drive at Randolph Rd. The location will not be operational until the fall of 2014 because the transaction to purchase the building from the design firm of Kelley McTernan Lavoie will not close until May 4, 2014. The new owners appreciate both the suitability of the old Town Hall itself and the central location. It will be easy for parents to drop off and pick up children at the wide parking lanes on McRae. At present, ABC Academy has two operating locations. One is the former commercial site at 1432 Bayview Ave. at Balliol Street across from St. Cuthburt’s Anglican Church. This building was renovated a couple of years ago by ABC Academy and it has been turned into a solid, good-looking asset to the community. The original ABC Academy is on Melrose Ave. near Yonge Street. Also at present, the company is renovating premises at 1923-1925 Queen Street E in the Beach. This location will be operational in Fall 2013. Wendy Arnold List, president of ABC Academy told the South Bayview Bulldog that she is particularly excited about the McRae Drive building. She says ABC Academy is a premium daycare service for children 3 months to 4 years of age. “We focus on readiness for kindergarten, healthy lifestyle choices and instilling the importance of philanthropy and community in the little ones under our care. We are very excited to have purchased such a beautiful building and look forward to welcoming kids there in September 2014.” said Ms List.
