By Fred Alvarado Fred is a community journalist with FOCUS MEDIA ARTS CENTRE

The Cabbagetown Youth Centre(CYC) was officially reopened on September 10, 2022 at 2 Lancaster under the umbrella and support of the Kiwanis Club of Toronto Foundation and the Boys and Girls Club Toronto Kiwanis, ensuring CYC programs and the Boxing Club remain operational for many years to come after the centre was at risk of imminent closure during financial uncertainties pre-pandemic.

The reopening event was a great success and was well supported by the community. Former Mayor Art Eggleton was the Master of Ceremonies and kept the audience informed about all the interesting developments.  Mayor John Tory was the Keynote speaker, while former Mayor Barbara Hall, and MPP Kristyn Wong-Tam also addressed the attendees.

Since 2020, BGC - Toronto Kiwanis and the Cabbagetown Youth Centre have been working hard to solidify their merge and expansion.

“We went through a full renovation of this building, the CYC closed down because of termite damage and there was significant damage in the building. The Kiwanis Club of Toronto and the Kiwanis Club of Toronto Foundation were generous enough to pay for the renovations which was incredible, so we are really happy about that, and the building has been fully renovated”, said Greg Gary, Executive Director of BGC Toronto Kiwanis.

Both organizations now form a healthy partnership in Regent Park, Cabbagetown, and St James Town enhancing the lives of children, youth, and their families for many years.

The Cabbagetown Youth Centre (CYC) was founded in 1972 by Peter Wylie and started as a Boxing Club. Over time, the CYC expanded beyond boxing and started to offer after-school and summer programs.