ESTONIAN CENTRE PROJECT UPDATE Estonian Life
Kommentaarid on kirjutatud EWR lugejate poolt. Nende sisu ei pruugi ühtida EWR toimetuse seisukohtadega.
VanemadUuemad
voter13 Mar 2018 14:00
No need to go. There will be only lies.
to voter14 Mar 2018 10:30
So why not go and ask your questions to expose the "lies"? posting your assumptions here doesn't help anyone if you won't engage in dialogue.

This is your big chance to find the truth!
An Observer13 Mar 2018 15:03
I find the comment about the info sessions being about "more lies" more than incredible! The author should really hang their head in shame if this is what they believe the session is about. No wonder it is incredibly difficult to find volunteers to lead such initiatives.
Karl Otsa14 Mar 2018 15:25
Just curious. As a somewhat distant member of the Toronto community (My wife and I live in Burlington) and even with the free parking find it very unappealing to spend either an hour in the car or 90 minutes on the train just to to hear our community's infighting.

Even if we did drive in, MOST of the entrances are NOT handicap friendly! The one entrance that is, is usually blocked by a car or two. For those that need assistance, especially in bad weather, are seriously inconvenienced and many may not even attend!

This discrimination has been going on for DECADES not the 15 years that Hr. Laikeve has suggested or overlooked during his consulting for the front addition.

Did we not have wounded veterans from Eesti in the 60s or in 70s?

What about the elderly?

What about younger individuals with mobility issues?

With as advanced as Eesti is, why can't these meeting be streamed live? Questions could be texted or emailed and then answered LIVE?
Accessibility15 Mar 2018 08:31
Accessibility is indeed one factor in ensuring that the most people can use a community centre.

Since there is a $9M shortfall for the new Esto House plans, we are likely to only wind up with a renovated monk's house at best.

So hopefully Kongats will make sure that when he does the renovation design of the monk's house it is fully accessible.
meeting streamed live15 Mar 2018 13:33
Great idea, Karl!
"With as advanced as Eesti is, why can't these meeting be streamed live? Questions could be texted or emailed and then answered LIVE?"

This would allow more people in the community to become educated about developments. Strongly recommend this idea.
Karl Otsa15 Mar 2018 09:36
to "Accessibility"

perhaps you didn't have time to read this article.

http://eestielu.com/et/organis...
Samalt IP numbrilt on siin varem kommenteerinud: Karl Otsa (15:25)
lugeja15 Mar 2018 10:23
Karl - perhaps you can help, I don't see anything in the article you linked to that addresses the 9 million dollar shortfall.
Karl Otsa15 Mar 2018 11:47
Lugeja:

From above please re-read:

"Where will the funds come from to build and operate the new centre?

The sources of funds for building the Estonian Centre on Madison will be from the sale of 958 Broadview, a capital campaign, and equity contributions from the founding organizations.

A Capital Campaign initial feasibility study is underway and a consultant has been hired to reach out to some members of the Estonian community. There has been a favorable response by potential benefactors. Interest has been expressed on naming rights for the centre.

While there has been speculation about financial shortfalls from community members who are not involved with the project, the analysis generated by the Estonian Centre project team is based on quotes received, and considers all sources of funds. The project team is working with professional consultants and architects, and has been provided with competitive estimates by several experienced contractors. The project team is following proper due diligence procedure to ensure that the new centre will be financially sustainable."

additional information is also provided at

https://www.estoniancentre.ca/...
Samalt IP numbrilt on siin varem kommenteerinud: Karl Otsa (15:25), Karl Otsa (09:36)
lugeja15 Mar 2018 12:34
Thank you Karl. Not sure why but I don't see that paragraph on the link you provided.

In any case, that last sentence "... ensure that the new centre will be financially sustainable ... " is nice but my understanding is that at the moment, there isn't enough money to complete the project, never mind ensuring it's future sustainability.
Samalt IP numbrilt on siin varem kommenteerinud: lugeja (10:23)
Karl Otsa15 Mar 2018 14:51
lugeja & accessibility

I guess I should have been more concise and stated that from the article that these comments are associated with.

As with most new construction projects all over the world, NO-ONE has the cost completely covered. Deficits are usually covered with fundraising and borrowings. Just like Eesti Maja, Peetri kirik, Seedrioru etc.

Now could you & "accessibility" please address the questions I posed?

In the nearly 60 years of existence there have been extremely limited upgrades for those with mobility issues?

ETCU - provided the funds for a most important feature ..... why wasn't an ELEVATOR incorporated into the additions of 1963 or 1976????

In EITHER case, an elevator could have EASILY been incorporated to reach almost ALL areas. This could have left the current elevator shaft open to a LOADING dock to help facilitate operations or even ANOTHER handicapped entrance.

As I asked before, weren't there any wounded veterans or individuals with mobility issues that could have benefited and enjoyed EestiMaja as the rest of the able bodied?

If you wish to bring funding AGAIN, please don't.
Samalt IP numbrilt on siin varem kommenteerinud: Karl Otsa (15:25), Karl Otsa (09:36), Karl Otsa (11:47)
Elevate ourselves15 Mar 2018 18:01
Who cares what the reason an elevator was not built in the 1970's. That was then and this is now. You seem to be implying that installing another elevator to the Esto House is now somehow impossible to do.

It is amazing to me that no one has still been able to explain how the $9M shortfall can be addressed.

The ETCU should not be in the business of risky real estate projects. ETCU, you are using the community's money to do something that so many people don't want. It is double risk, both for the survival of the credit union and the existence of a community house. BOTH could be lost!!!

At this point, I am going to take my money out of the ETCU because of what is going on.
lugeja16 Mar 2018 09:16
Thank you Karl, it's always illuminating to hear what other people are thinking.

I'm afraid you're asking the wrong person about the history re. elevators as I was quite young at the time and thus know nothing about it.

You seem to have no concerns whatsoever about the shortfall in funds. I wish I shared your optimism and I fear this is an issue that should be taken seriously and it won't be so easy to resolve.

You request to not "bring funding AGAIN" is an interesting one, I'll have to give that some thought.

Thank you for your time.
Samalt IP numbrilt on siin varem kommenteerinud: lugeja (10:23), lugeja (12:34)
Can't believe ......16 Mar 2018 10:27
Having read the comments here it seems that there are no rock solid answers coming from anywhere its all heresay as far as I'm concerned. I will say this the Estonian House where it is now is convenient for all to come to and use within the GTA and has been in the past and hopefully will continue to be in the future. If this new development goes thru you will see a lot of the estonian population dropping off and conducting business elsewhere...as I am going to do by pulling my monies out of the ETCU and put it elsewhere. Do you really think that the estonian banking community is going to travel to another location that has NO parking, is located in a very restricted area and will have limited access....wake up to reality once and for all !!!!
parking and no parking19 Mar 2018 08:13
Seems that people had no issue going to the churches for years even though there was no parking at those locations.

If people care, they will come. If they don't, they won't.

Which kind are you?
Samalt IP numbrilt on siin varem kommenteerinud: to voter (10:30)
fully agree!16 Mar 2018 16:30
all should move their moneys from ETCU.
Samalt IP numbrilt on siin varem kommenteerinud: voter (14:00)
to fully agree22 Mar 2018 09:19
That seems a little like cutting off your nose to spite your face, doesn't it?

You may disagree with what the 4 orgs are doing, but they are acting out of interest for the community.

By taking your money out of ECU or as some have said, refusing to enter this new centre once built, you are hurting the very community you are purporting to try to protect.
Samalt IP numbrilt on siin varem kommenteerinud: to voter (10:30), parking and no parking (08:13)
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