The South Bayview Bulldog

Elaine Snider, Chair, Community Relations Committee at the Leaside Gardens has written an informative letter regarding the digital sign proposal being put forth. Community consultation is scheduled for Thursday, May 12, 2016 at 7:30pm, at the Gardens (1073A Millwood Road, in the Boardroom).

May 10, 2016

We’re On Your Side

After more than 30 years, it’s time to change the Leaside Memorial Community Gardens billboard. Technically speaking, the old sign no longer conforms to the city’s legal standards for billboard signs, and practically speaking, the new proposed sign will afford the arena and the community many much improved benefits. While the new sign would be located in the same location as the old billboard, it would be created using the latest technology in both construction and communication, giving it a clean and contemporary aesthetic.

Here are 3 reasons why we are advocates for the new sign:

1. Increased Revenue: The new Leaside Memorial Community Gardens sign will generate 4x the revenue for the Gardens at no cost to the Gardens or the community. The money generated will significantly impact the financial well-being of the Gardens and be used to off-set our ice costs.
2. Showcase our Community: The sign will have two sides; one dedicated to advertising (this side will be facing the railway tracks) and one side exclusively for community and Gardens events and announcements (this side will be facing North into Leaside). The custom designed 10’x10’ digital sign can be used as a communication tool within our community and as such, the community, user groups at the arena as well as other community organizations will have access to this space, free of charge.
3. Landmark for the Gardens: Currently, the Leaside Memorial Community Gardens does not have an identifying sign on Laird Avenue. The new sign will have the arena name (similar to the sign on the east facing the wall of the arena), identifying the building and making it easy to spot while driving on Laird Avenue.

What we would like the Leaside community to understand is that as a Board, we discussed at great lengths the pros and cons of the proposed sign, with the highest regard and respect for the community we all live and work in. Like many of you, we had questions and concerns about the proposal. For instance, we were concerned about the light level of the sign and it being a distraction to nearby homes and drivers. What we found out is this: the sign will have the lowest possible ambient level and that the lights must be turned off by 11:00pm as per city by-laws. This level of light, called NITS level, is so low that one could not read a newspaper underneath the light. Another concern we had was with the size of the sign. It will be 16’ higher and 15’ longer (our existing sign is 10’ by 20’ and is 20’ from ground to top, whereas the new sign would be 10’ by 35’ and will be 36’ from ground to top.) But in looking at the design, it’s clear it does not look out of place and fits very nicely with the Gardens existing aesthetic and architecture.

With the community and the Leaside Memorial Community Gardens in mind, we are advocates for the new proposed sign. The revenue and the ability to showcase our community and the Gardens the new sign affords us is an opportunity for us all.

Please join us in giving your support for the new proposed sign by writing City Councillor Jon Burnside at councillor_burnside@toronto.ca.

For more information, please call Henry Stachelbeck at 416-421-4944.

Elaine Snider
Chair, Community Relations Committee
Leaside Memorial Community Gardens Board of Management
Southlea Avenue

Current Sign

Proposed Sign

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