Danforth Community Centre Roundup

Exercise your mind and body in your own backyard

Are you looking for a new and exciting way to get active, like Pilates, yoga, or Tai Chi? Have you ever wanted to learn a new skill, like woodworking? What about learning how to play an instrument? Or are you looking for a new hobby, like pottery, painting or drawing? Whether you’re looking to stimulate your mind or body — you can find what you’re looking for in your own neighbourhood, and the Danforth has a lot of interesting and unique classes to enjoy.

For example, the Matty Eckler Community Centre on Gerrard teaches Qigong. What is it? Qigong (pronounced Chee Gung) is sometimes referred to as “moving meditation,” or Chinese yoga. You have to memorize the moves in order to participate. You can simply follow the instructor since it’s not a choreographed sequence of movements. It is usually performed either standing or sitting in one place. Breathing is coordinated with slow, gentle movements and allows the “chi” to flow through the body’s energy channels and can help you calm down after a busy day.

The city of Toronto has created a ton of great activities for everyone in the family to enjoy, no matter what age. If you’re looking for something for the kids to do after school, or are looking at changing up your personal routine, you don’t have to look much further. Below is a compilation of what your local community centres have to offer.

Preschool: ages 3–5
Child: ages 6–11
Youth: ages 12–18
Adult: 18+

Earl Beatty Community Centre – 455 Glebeholme Boulevard. – (416) 392-0572
Near: Danforth Avenue/East of Coxwell
TTC Information: Travel to Coxwell Station. Exit station and walk north on Coxwell and then east on Glebeholme Boulevard to number 455.

· Arts and Crafts (Child)
· Ballet (Preschool)
· Fitness/Cardio (Adult)
· Pilates (Adult)
· Yoga (Adult)
· Ball/Floor Hockey (Child)
· Gymnastics (Child)
· Martial Arts (Child)
· Soccer (Child)
· T-Ball (Preschool)
· Swimming (All ages)

East York Community Centre – 1081 ½ Pape Avenue – (416) 396-2880
Near: Greenwood and Cosburn
TTC Information: Travel to Pape Station. Board the 25 Don Mills and travel to the far side of Torrens. Arrive at 1081 1/2 Pape Avenue.

· Arts & Craft (Preschool)
· Belly Dancing (Adult)
· Ballet (Preschool)
· Private Piano Lessons (Child)
· Pilates (Adult)
· Yoga (Adult & Child)
· Tai Chi (Adult)
· Ball/Floor Hockey (Child)
· Basketball (Child & Youth)
· Girls Only Sports (Youth)
· Soccer (Child & Preschool)

Fairmount Park Community Centre – 88 Bowmore Road – (416) 392-7060
Near: Gerrard, East of Coxwell
TTC Information: Travel to Coxwell Station. Board the 22 Coxwell and travel to Fairford. Walk east to 1757 Gerrard Street East.

· Arts & Crafts (Child)
· Ballet (Child & Preschool)
· Guitar (Child, Youth and Preschool)
· Pilates (Adult)
· Tai Chi (Adult)
· Yoga (Adult)
· Ball/Floor Hockey (Youth)
· Martial Arts (Child)
· Soccer (Child & Preschool)
· Swimming (All ages)

Frankland Community Centre – 816 Logan Ave. – (416) 392-0749
Near: Danforth & Logan
TTC Information: Travel to Chester Station. Exit station and walk south to Danforth Avenue, east to Logan and south to 816 Logan Avenue.

· Arts & Crafts (Preschool)
· Fine Arts (Child)
· Piano Lessons (Child)
· Basketball (Child)
· Gymnastics (Preschool)
· Swimming (All ages)

Main Square Community Centre – 245 Main Street – (416) 392-1070
Near: Main & Danforth
TTC Information: Travel to Main Street Station. Exit the station and walk south to 245 Main Street.

· Arts & Crafts (Preschool)
· Ballet (Child & Preschool)
· Break Dancing (Child & Youth)
· Jazz (Child & Preschool)
· Hip Hop (Child & Youth)
· Drama (Child & Youth)
· Painting (Adult)
· Drawing (Child)
· Cake Decorating (Adult)
· Private Guitar Lessons (Child)
· Private Piano Lessons (all ages)
· Pilates (Adult)
· Tai Chi (Adult)
· Yoga (Adult, Child, Youth)
· Girls’ Club (Child)
· Martial Arts (Child)
· Sports (Preschool)
· Swimming (All ages)

Matty Eckler Community Centre – 953 Gerrard Street East – (416) 392-0750
Near: Pape & Gerrard
TTC Information: Travel to College Station. On the eastbound side of Carlton board the 506 Carlton and travel to Pape. Walk east to 953 Gerrard Street East

· Pottery (Adult & Child)
· Arts & Crafts (Preschool)
· Ballet (Child)
· Break Dancing (Child)
· Ballet (Preschool)
· Hip Hop (Child)
· Woodworking (Adult & Child)
· Magic (Child)
· Drawing (Child)
· Private Guitar Lessons (All ages)
· Private Drumming Lessons (Child)
· Private Piano Lessons (All ages)
· Pilates (Adult)
· Tai Chi (Adult)
· Qigong (Adult)
· Yoga (Adult & Child)
· Computers (Child)
· Ball/Floor Hockey (Child)
· Basketball (Child)
· Gymnastics (Child & Preschool)
· Martial Arts (Child)
· Soccer (Child & Preschool)
· Karate (Preschool)
· Swimming (All ages)

If you are interested in playing tennis close to home, there are two courts open to the public.

1. Riverside Park East – West of Broadview Avenue, South of Moncrest Boulevard
2. Withrow Park – South of McConnell Avenue, between Logan and Carlaw