TORONTO, July 31, 2024 /CNW/ – For over a decade, Innocon, a subsidiary of Lafarge Canada in the Greater Toronto Area, has been proudly collaborating on the revitalization of Toronto’s Regent Park neighbourhood – Canada’s oldest and largest social housing project.
In addition to providing building solutions to the construction of Daniels Spectrum, Regent Park’s arts and cultural hub, Innocon and Lafarge have also invested via the People & Planet Fund over $800,000, since 2013, in the fundraising musical production “The Journey Musical”, that has told the story of Regent Park’s 70-year history and transformation to thousands of spectators. The Fund aims to accelerate social change and transformation in Eastern Canada through targeted charitable funds and resources.
This summer’s edition of the musical, titled “Songs from The Journey”, was once more produced by The Daniels Corporation and supported by the People & Planet Fund. This time, the show was presented in collaboration with The Royal Conservatory of Music, with Innocon and Lafarge as the Presenting Sponsors, and like in previous years, audiences watched local artists share the stage with renowned Canadian performers. The production’s sixth version made its national debut at the Koerner Hall at the TELUS Centre for Performance and Learning in June – inaugurating a brand new chapter in this extraordinary production celebrating the Regent Park community.
The 2024 edition raised close to $1.2 million with net proceeds reinvested in the vital support of the arts at Daniels Spectrum and The Royal Conservatory. In total, the fundraising musical productions have been a catalyst for change, raising over $5.6 million since 2013.
“It has been extremely rewarding to be part of this vibrant community building program in Toronto through our People & Planet Fund,” affirmed David Redfern, President & CEO, Lafarge Canada (East). “The Fund was created to drive positive social change and environmental transformation in the communities in which we operate.
The revitalization of Regent Park aligns with our purpose of building progress for people and the planet, which ultimately means to build a more equitable and sustainable world for present and future generations.” The People & Planet Fund consists of five key pillars designed to address pressing societal and environmental challenges: Affordable Housing Solutions, Leaders of Tomorrow Scholarship, ECOPact – low-carbon concrete Champions, Planetwise Innovators, and Biodiversity Conservation.
“I have had the privilege of having a front-row seat to this city-building project’s evolution over the course of my career at Innocon and Lafarge. I feel honoured to be part of an organization that invests in the local community. With every production, I am amazed by the talented performances and storytelling – they truly raise so much awareness and bring incredible joy to audiences,” said Andy Unger, VP, Ready-mix, Lafarge Canada (East), and former President, Innocon.
In 2012, Innocon provided approximately 25,000 m3 of concrete for the construction of Daniels Spectrum, a 60,000-square-foot multi-purpose facility including a 3,400-seat performance and event venue and space for 15 arts and community organizations. Throughout the years, the community and cultural hub has been adding creative experiences and fostering learning and innovation for local youth and families, contributing to the neighbourhood’s continued cultural and economic growth.
Lafarge Canada and Innocon are honoured to be long-standing collaborators with The Daniels Corporation and share the common objective of positively contributing to the redevelopment of Regent Park into a place where community members can grow, work, express themselves, and thrive.
“At The Daniels Corporation, we use real estate development and construction as platforms for creating positive social and environmental impact. Lafarge Canada and Innocon have been true leaders in these areas, and we share a commitment to sustainability and social impact. Their generous, long-standing support as Presenting Sponsors of The Journey Musical and Songs from The Journey have contributed to youth programming and long-term sustainability at Daniels Spectrum. Now, through our latest production, their support also champions equitable access and inclusion through the My Piece of the City initiative at The Royal Conservatory,” affirmed Heela Omarkhail, VP, Social Impact, The Daniels Corporation, and a co-writer of the production series.
“As someone who grew up in Regent Park, witnessing the transformation of Daniels Spectrum into the social heart of our revitalized community is nothing short of remarkable. The thousands of connections being made here with local community members and beyond are truly inspiring. From incredible events and exhibitions to inspiring programming for young people and the young at heart, there’s something here for everyone. This vibrant and inclusive space is made possible by the generous support of organizations like Lafarge and Innocon. Their contributions ensure that Daniels Spectrum remains open and accessible to people from all walks of life. We are deeply grateful for their strong support and commitment to our community,” explained Farid Jalil, Hub Manager, Daniels Spectrum.
