The Council of the City of Vaughan voted unanimously to grant a 20 year lease of the Patricia Kemp Community Centre to the Filipino Canadian Association of Vaughan!

It wasn’t easy. There were many challenges. It took over 10 years spanning the term of 4 mayors, changes to the makeup of the city council through elections and a serious challenge from a commercial developer who wanted to acquire the property to extend its commercial project on the corner of Centre and Dufferin. There was also the challenge of overcoming the misguided perception of a weak Filipino Canadian community.

In the end it was the persistence and determination of Erlinda Insigne, President of The Filipino Canadian Association of Vaughan, hundreds of signatures on a petition from the Filipino-Canadian community along with the support of Gino Rosati, Regional Councillor and Deputy Mayor of the City of Vaughan that eventually brought a unanimous vote from City Council in June, 2012.

The lease was signed on October 26, 2012. On October 27, Mayor Mauricio Domogan of Baguio City, Philippines joined City of Vaughan Deputy Mayor Gino Rosati, City Councilors and small group in a ribbon cutting ceremony to turn over the management of the Patricia Kemp Community Centre to the Filipino Canadian Association of Vaughan. It was a timely occasion that coincided with the celebration of the 15th anniversary of the twinning of the cities of Vaughan and Baguio.

The Filipino Canadian Association of Vaughan has been serving the Filipino-Canadians in the York region for over 20 years. It has programs for seniors, youth, new-comers and is looking to provide additional services to serve the growing Filipino-Canadians in the region of York for the next 20 years from the Patricia Kemp Community Centre. One of the association’s greatest achievements was the establishing of the agreement that resulted in the twinning of the cities of Vaughan and Baguio also known as the Friendship Agreement. Patricia Kemp Community Centre will house the activities of the Friendship Agreement.

With great opportunities come great challenges. The Patricia Kemp Community Centre is old and needs a facelift and structural improvements to allow for accessibility and improved facilities to accommodate community, sports and social events.

This is the time for our community to rally together to help build a lasting legacy for our future generations. Not just in the building of a structure of bricks and stones but more importantly in the building and revival of the "Bayanihan" spirit. Providing an example for our future generations to see and learn that through cooperation, determination and the support of many "shoulders" and "hands" we are able to lift any burden, achieve any goal and overcome any challenge that may come our way. This is one of the great values in the Filipino identity that we want to pass on to our children and future generations here in Canada.

God bless the Filipino Canadian Association of Vaughan as it now rises to meet the challenges of building a Filipino-Canadian Centre in Vaughan and may our community reap the rewards of its faithful and dedicated work. – Rey Tolentino

Ramon Canave & Erlinda Insigne, Auditor & Pres FCAV respectively signing the 20 year lease of PKCC at the Vaughan City Hall on Oct. 26, 2012

Ribbon Cutting Ceremony to officially hand over the Patricia Kemp Community Center to FCAV L-R Councillor Alan Shefman; Erlinda Insigne, FCAV Pres; Gino Rosati, Deputy Mayor, City of Vaughan and Mayor Mauricio Domogan of Baguio City, Philippines

PKCC Official opening with officers of FCAV

FCAV Officers: Seated L-R: Gloria Pasildo, Vice pres; Erlinda Insigne, Pres; Lurvie DeBlois, Director; Minda Canave, adviser; Standing: L-R: Ramon Canave, auditor; Rey Tolentino, Director and Tony Insigne – adviser.

The Filipino-Canadian Association of Vaughan (FCAV) took nine years to acquire 20 year lease of Patricia Kemp Community Centre (PKCC). In the end, it was well worth it.

FCAV is a tenant of PKCC since July of 2002. It signed a license agreement with the City of Vaughan to use a portion (recreation centre and office) of Patricia Kemp Community Centre to house all its activities.

In 2003, FCAV expressed its strong desire to expand PKCC gym for community use. FCAV went on deputation before the Committee of the Whole. This was followed by meetings with the City of Vaughan Mayor, Members of Council, City Staff, Local Councillor and Glen Shields Soccer Club, other tenant of PKCC, in 2004 through 2006.

In 2007, a letter was sent to Mayor and Members of Council reiterating FCAV's desire to expand PKCC gym. A meeting was subsequently held with Regional Councillor Gino Rosati.

In 2008, equipped with 455 petitions signatures, letters of support from various associations and community leaders as well as letter of support from Peter Shurman, Member of Provincial Parliament for Thornhill, FCAV went on deputation before Vaughan Council.

In 2009, Erlinda Insigne, pres, Filipino-Canadian Association of Vaughan and Mathew John, Chairman, Toronto Malayalee Samajam (TMS) appeared before the Budget Committee. At that time, Commissioner Kallideen recommended PKCC be closed effective July 31, 2010. A meeting was followed with Councillor Sandra Racco, Glen Shields Soccer Club and FCAV. In Spring of 2009, Carol Banez, pres, Philippine Heritage Band (PHB) joined as partner of PKCC. Carol and Erlinda jointly wrote a letter to Heather Wilson, director of the Legal Services, City of Vaughan expressing their strong desire to acquire Patricia Kemp Community Centre (PKCC) should the City declare the building as a surplus. They offered several options to lease PKCC with all expenses and maintenance paid by FCAV and PHB and providing access to other community groups to use the community centre.

In Sept. 2009, FCAV and PHB applied for infrastructure stimulus funding for Patricia Kemp Community Centre amounting to $2.1 million. The stimulus funding application was refused for reason that FCAV does not have 20 year lease of PKCC.

In 2010, City staff informed FCAV that the decision to lease PKCC has to be postponed because it is part of the official plan review and will have to wait to until April 2011. Vince Marchese, president of Glen Shields Soccer Club & Erlinda went on deputation before the Secondary Official Plan Review to ensure that PKCC is not affected and that there is a proposal before Council to expand the gym for tenants, diverse associations and the community as a whole.

In March 2011, Carol withdrew as partner. PHB decided to complete the remaining 12 year lease of the building in Thornhill Woods. Erlinda contacted Mathew John of TMS.

In April 2011, Vaughan Council decided NOT to lease PKCC to FCAV for reason that FCAV cannot afford. Vince Marchese, Mathew John and Erlinda Insigne met individually with Members of Council expressing their concerns.

In June, July, August and September, FCAV and TMS solicited petition letters for PKCC.

On October 26, thirty three (33) members of FCAV with 1300 petition signatures, support letters from various associations and ratepayers group as well as support letter from MPP Peter Shurman went on deputation before Members of Council urging them to seriously consider their lengthy request for long term lease of PKCC. A motion moved by Regional Councillor and Deputy Mayor Gino Rosati, seconded by Councillor Marilyn stated that the city staff will meet with FCAV & TMS to work with a lease agreement taking into considerations some conditions including paying daily operations of the building, renovations, raising funds & applying for grant. The motion was carried by Members of Council voting seven (7) in favor and one (1) against.

On November 8, 2011, Council adopted the Committee of the Whole recommendation as follows: "That staff be directed to enter into negotiations with the Filipino Canadian Association of Vaughan to investigate a long term lease agreement of the Patricia Kemp Community Centre and bring back a report to Council for approval. Subsequently, a meeting the City Staff, FCAV & TMS was held. This was followed by another meeting with the City Staff on Feb. 15, 2012 explaining once again the reasons why FCAV ans TMS need a 20 year lease.

In April - June 2012, a series of separate meetings were held with the City of Vaughan Mayor, 3 Regional Councillors and 5 Local Councilors. Attendees included Mathew John, Lurvie DeBlois, Gloria Pasildo, Rey Tolentino and Erlinda Insigne.

On June 26, 2012 at the Council meeting in camera, Mayor and Members of Council, after one hour & 30 minutes discussion & deliberation, Deputy Mayor & Regional Councillor Gino Rosati moved a motion "Staff be directed that 20 year lease of Patricia Kemp Community Centre (PKCC) be granted to Filipino-Canadian Association of Vaughan (FCAV) & the Toronto Malayalee Samajam (TMS)". Regional Councillor Michael Di Biase seconded the motion. Two Councilors were not supportive but when majority of them voted "yes", they too voted "yes".

In July 2012, Liana Haughton, Real Estate Manager, City of Vaughan emailed Erlinda stating the good news - Mayor and Members of Council approved to grant 20 year lease of PKCC to Filipino-Canadian Association of Vaughan (FCAV) and the Toronto Malayalee Samajam (TMS)". She said that the Legal Department will be preparing a Lease Agreement with certain conditions. Those conditions include renovation of the gym, fixing the kitchen, washrooms, electrical update, painting the exterior and interior of the building, provide accessibility and day to day maintenance of the building and get significant funding. Subsequently FCAV talked to lawyer, Maria Louisa Diaz and asked if she could help with the lease. Atty. Maria Diaz agreed.

August 28, 2012, a drafted lease was sent to FCAV, reviewed with Atty. Diaz and subsequently with the City of Vaughan Staff, Mathew & Erlinda. Changes were made & subsequent reviewed.

On October 26, 2012, at the City Hall of Vaughan, Ramon Canave and Erlinda Insigne, auditor and president respectively of the Filipino-Canadian Association of Vaughan, signed the 20 year lease of Patricia Kemp Community Centre.

On October 27, Baguio City Mayor Mauricio Domogan officially opened the granting of 20 year lease of PKCC to the Filipino-Canadian Association of Vaughan (FCAV). In his speech, he applauded FCAV for its long and tedious process of acquiring the 20 year lease of PKCC. He noted that PKCC will house the activities of FCAV including the undertakings of the Friendship Agreement. Members of Vaughan Council who attended the opening were Deputy Mayor and Regional Councillor Gino Rosati, Regional Councillor Deb Schulte & Councillor Alan Shefman.

The Filipino-Canadian Association of Vaughan (FCAV) would like to sincerely thank Mayor Bevilacqua and Members of Council for approving the 20 year lease of PKCC. Special thanks to Deputy Mayor and Regional Councillor Gino Rosati for his hard work and tremendous effort in obtaining FCAV the 20year lease. The lease commenced on Nov. 1, 2012 until Oct. 31, 2032.