Toronto city council approves waiver of over $600,000 in fees for Armenian Youth Centre expansion

TORONTOHYE—In a major boost to its expansion efforts, the Armenian Community Centre of Toronto (ACC) announced today that City of Toronto Council has officially approved a waiver of over $600,000 in development-related fees for the expansion of the Armenian Youth Centre (AYC). The decision paves the way for construction to begin this summer.

The waiver was made possible through a motion brought forward by Councillor Shelley Carroll and seconded by Mayor Olivia Chow. Their support removes a major financial barrier for the project and marks a significant milestone in the ACC's broader efforts to expand and modernize its facilities to better serve the growing Armenian-Canadian community in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).

"We are deeply grateful to Councillor Carroll for championing our cause and recognizing the vital role our Centre plays in serving youth, families, and newcomers across the GTA," the ACC said in a statement. "Her leadership and the City's support ensure that our dream of a larger, more inclusive space for cultural, educational, and community programming is becoming a reality."

This announcement comes on the heels of a broader campaign, ACC Beyond, which aims to enhance and expand the Armenian Youth Centre. As previously reported, the project will introduce a two-story, 16,000-square-foot addition featuring eight new training rooms, a robotics lab, an arts studio, an expanded cafeteria, a multi-purpose room, and more—all fully accessible and designed to meet the needs of the next generation.

The ACC has already secured over $3 million in combined federal and provincial support through the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP) and continues to rally community members to contribute through naming opportunities, donor recognition walls, and targeted alumni campaigns.

Founded in 1967, the ACC has grown into a central hub for Toronto's Armenian community, hosting a range of educational, cultural, athletic, and social programs. The Armenian Youth Centre, located at 50 Hallcrown Place, first opened its doors in 2004 and has since become a cornerstone for youth engagement in the community.

With the City of Toronto's strong show of support, the ACC is poised to begin an exciting new chapter. Construction on the expansion is set to begin this summer, moving the Centre one step closer to realizing its vision of a larger, more vibrant, and inclusive space for all.