City wants to open rec centre in troubled neighbourhood

From the Toronto Star (Gun-plagued area to get rec centre, December 1):

A west Toronto area plagued with gun violence in past years is closer to getting a new community centre.

The city is in talks to acquire a provincial government-owned site at the southeast corner of Black Creek Dr. and Eglinton Ave. W.

Plans are for the $25 million, 65,000-square-foot complex — complete with gym, swimming pool and community space — to open about 2010. The area is one of 13 neighbourhoods seen as having a high priority for community facilities.

Teenagers Amon Beckles and Jamal Hemmings, both fatally shot last year, were from the area, said community planner Yasmin Khan.

[. . .]

Read the whole article.

Opening a new community centre may or may not be a good idea. I'm not sure. However, new rec centres aren't the solution to gang violence, because this approach doesn't address the problem of black men fathering multiple children with multiple mothers. Too many black children are being raised by poor, single mothers. That's the problem that needs to be addressed, but I don't think anyone knows how to do that. Of course, we wouldn't have this problem if it weren't for immigration from the Caribbean, from Jamaica in particular.

See also:

Speaking the truth about immigration and crime cost Gwyn Morgan his federal appointment

Los Angeles police chief on race, crime and gangs

Technorati tags: Toronto crime gangs blacks