As the COVID-19 virus continues to evolve and affect us all, school boards have resumed community use of their facilities while following the Provincial and local public health units’ requirements. This document outlines our vision for enhancing and prioritizing community use to help repair the damaging effects of COVID-19.

The “How to Hub: Community Hub Development Toolkit” is a practical guide to support residents, parents and community allies in advocating for a community hub in their neighbourhood. This toolkit offers introductory information on a range of topics relevant to groups that are in the initial stages of developing a community hub or who would like more information before beginning their journey.

Community hubs are the centre of public discourse around healthy and vibrant neighbourhoods. As suburban and rural neighbourhoods are challenged by a lack of local services, community hubs are growing in popularity as a way to provide a “one-stop shop” to address local needs. The Province, municipalities, community organizations and funders are taking innovative approaches to developing community hubs.

The SPACE Coalition has collated a list of promising practices in managing community use of school space that would support more equitable, accessible and efficient permitting system. This resource was developed from SPACE's many years of experience supporting community and resident-led groups operating out of schools. We hope to pave the way for on-going efforts to improve the permitting system currently in space in our schools. 

Read the list of promising practices.

In 1997 the Ontario government implemented a new funding formula as a means for distributing funds to school boards. This resulted in a dramatic increase in user fees for community access to schools. To help reduce these costs, in 2004 the government introduced the Community Use of Schools (CUS) program funding.

Read Public Space for Public Use.

The SPACE Coalition believes that community use of public space, including schools and municipal facilities, is a cornerstone of healthy neighbourhoods and communities, promoting affordable and equitable access for all residents. In 2009, SPACE and Social Planning Toronto conducted a follow-up survey to our 2005 and 2007 evaluations of the provincial CUS policy, program and funding. 

Read Progress and Pitfalls.

Access to affordable community spaces benefits the community in several ways, such as improving student performance and promoting safer neighbourhoods.

In January 2008, the SPACE Coalition outlined the top 10 reasons to support affordable community access to school spaces. 

Read Top Ten Reasons to Support Better Community Access to Public Space

Read Les dix meilleures raisons de favoriser un meilleur accès public aux locaux scolaires

Public space is a social space and should be accessible to all, regardless of ethno racial background or cultural heritage, gender identity, ability/disability, sexual orientation, age or economic status. Creative use of public spaces strengthens neighbourhoods and brings people together. 

Read Another Winter, Another Spring.

In 2007, SPACE followed up its initial survey to assess the changes to community groups’ ability to access schools, resulting from the $20 million annual provincial investment in Community Use of Schools. According to the survey results, it appears there has been some progress in improving access to school space for some communities as a result of this infusion of funding. However, it is clear that many community groups continue to be excluded from this benefit, including groups working with children, youth, newcomers and seniors.

Read Breaking Down Barriers.