Building Project
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BACKGROUND: Scarborough Sai Centre currently
conducts Bhajan sessions, SSE (Balvikas) classes and other
activities at the Woburn C. I. The number of participants in
Centre activities has been steadily increasing since its inception
in 1987. The rent charged by the Toronto District School Board also
has been increasing significantly. We have now reached a stage that
the annual rental expense exceeds $30,000. In addition, we are
facing several other inconveniences in running the Centre at Woburn
C. I.
As a result, the active members unanimously decided to go for our own facility for the Centre. Senior members of the Centre started to actively look for a suitable building or vacant land for this purpose. A building committee also was formed to focus on this project. By Swami’s grace, 3 acres of land at 5321 Finch Ave East was located and its purchase was completed in 2004. Mr. Surendra Bagga from Windsor consented to work as Architect for the project on a volunteer basis. The building plan that he prepared was taken to Puttaparthi when a group of 600 devotees from the centre went on a pilgrimage in 2002. Swami signed this building plan in three different places during a private meeting with the group. CURRENT SITUATION: After receiving the Blessings from Swami, the newly formed BOARD OF TRUSTEES started consultations with experts in various aspects of the building project, and submitted the application for a building permit along with the final drawings, to Scarborough City Centre in August 2007. We received the final permit and signed the contract with Cloke-Kirby Construction Ltd to begin construction in August 2009. We hope to complete the construction activities in August 2010 with the support of all Sai devotees and well-wishers of the project. The total cost of the project is estimated in the range of $3,500,000. We need the participation and support of Sai Devotees and well-wishers in raising this amount early so that we may celeberate SWAMI’S BIRTHDAY in the new Mandir on 23rd November 2010. Those interested in participating in this noble and
divine project are welcome to contact any of the following
Trustees:
S. Bala
Chandran Chairman
416-609-2525 Jan 20, 2002 - Suitable site was found. Jan 14, 2002 - Zoning of the site – Letter
received from the City stating construction of place of worship may
be permitted Jun 10, 2002 - Land was transferred to Sri
Sathya Sai Baba Centre of Scarborough by full payment for 2 acres of
land, and a deposit for the 3rd acre of land. Jul 26, 2002 - Swami blessed the
Mandir project at the group interview at the main Mandir in
Puttaparthi by signing 3 times on the Building Plan Drawing. Sep 13, 2002 - Commencement of installment
payment for 3rd acre of land. Jan 20, 2003 - Trustees for Building
Project formed by amending the constitution. Feb13, 2004 - Final payment for 3rd acre
of land was made; land is fully paid off. May 27, 2006 - Ground breaking Ceremony held at
the Centre land. Prof. Anilkumar (from Puttaparthi) was the Guest
speaker. Hon. George Smitherman (Minister of Health, Ontario) was
the chief guest for the occasion. Jul y, 2007 - Site plan agreement was
signed with the City of Scarborough . Aug 2007 - Building permit
application was submitted to the City. Feb 2008 - City issued permit for site servicing and grading work. July 29, 2009 - Members unanimously agreed that the contract be signed with Cloke-Kirby Construction Ltd. and to proceed with the construction. Aug 5, 2009 - Contract between Cloke-Kirby Construction Ltd(CKCL) and Sri Sathya Sai Baba Centre of Scarborough was signed to begin construction. Nov 1, 2009 - Chanku Sthapanam - installation of conch shells ceremony, was held to invoke blessings and remove any irregularities in the construction. Conch shells filled with sand from Puttaparthi and Shirdi and holy waters from various rivers in India were used on this auspicious occasion. |