Saicentre.net Building Project

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 have already received the permit to do Site Servicing, Drainage etc and are awaiting the final permit which is expected to be in our hands very soon.

We hope to commence the construction activities in May 2008 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 $4,000,000. 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 2008.

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
P. Kandasamy              Finance Manager          905-887-2910
S. Premachandran        Secretary                      416-293-7798
Geetha Vigneswaran Centre President     416-609-1558
V. Subramaniam         Trustee                         416-269-0093
A. Coomarasamy       Trustee                         905-685-6963
Krish Jeyanathan        Trustee                         416-297-7339
Senthil Arumugam       Trustee                         416-208-6030
A. Yogeswaran            Trustee                         905- 479-9538

IMPORTANT EVENTS OF THE MANDIR PROJECT:

Jan 14, 2002 - Zoning of the site – Letter received from the City stating construction of place of worship may be permitted
Jan 20, 2002 - Offer to purchase the land was signed by President Bala Chandran, and Treasurer Padmini Jeyanathan with an initial deposit of $10,000.

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.

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.