Metrolinx and the Islamic Society of Toronto (IST) will convert a building in Thorncliffe Park into a new Islamic Centre as part of the Ontario Line project.

The building at 20 Overlea Boulevard is already owned by the IST. The renovated and expanded facility will include larger and more extensive prayer spaces, new religious services and facilities, a mezzanine area that will provide bigger and better prayer spaces for women, as well as areas for educational and schooling programs.

This new space will also offer a business centre for local, community-based organizations and businesses to relocate to and will offer new gymnasium facilities for sports.

The deal is worth $50 million.

“Transit has always been a catalyst for community building, development and growth,” said Metrolinx President and CEO Phil Verster. “Helping the Islamic Society of Toronto deliver on their vision for a new, bigger Islamic Centre will bring benefits to the community far beyond the positive impact the new Ontario Line subway will bring.”

The agreement between Metrolinx and IST is going through approvals with the IST’s members. One of the stumbling points could be the community’s acceptance of the facility as compensation for construction of the Ontario Line’s maintenance and storage facility.

The planned building will house and maintain 44 trains for the subway line. It is being designed in consultation with the community, and could create as many as 300 jobs locally.

“This will bring to life the dream that we have had for our community for the past two decades. This collaboration with Metrolinx will deliver a better and bigger facility for our growing community,” said the Islamic Society of Toronto Leadership. “We can’t wait to bring more prayer space for women, more recreational and educational spaces for our children, youth and seniors and more spaces for local businesses and organizations.”

The new facility at 20 Overlea Blvd. will be approximately five times larger than the current facility at 4 Thorncliffe Park Drive.

“This is one of several transactions happening with businesses and groups in Thorncliffe Park and Flemingdon Park as we prepare to bring the Ontario Line to the community,” said Verster.

The Ontario Line is a 15.6-kilometre, 15-stop subway line will run from Exhibition Place, through the heart of downtown, and all the way to the Ontario Science Centre, including stops in Thorncliffe Park and Flemingdon Park.

Thorncliffe Park will have access to the Ontario Line as well as the soon-to-open Eglinton Crosstown, which will both connect the community to more jobs and new opportunities throughout the city. By 2014, the station will bring 12,800 people within walking distance to transit, see approximately 3,100 customers pass through the station during rush hours, and connect to 3,000 jobs in the area.

Featured image: Conceptual rendering of future Ontario Line maintenance and storage facility entrance. (Metrolinx)