Bud Purves, president of the York University Development Corporation, responded to columnist Rob Granatstein’s July 29 article "De-rail Spadina subway" in a letter to The Toronto Sun Aug. 14. Purves wrote:
Rob Granatstein’s column fails to understand the important contributions the Spadina-York subway extension will make to enhancing the access to York University for the increasing numbers of GTA residents seeking postsecondary places; improving inter-regional transportation with the Region of York; and increasing access to services and jobs in one of the most under-served areas of Toronto.
Four governments have evaluated this subway and recognized its importance by announcing their financial support.
More riders start their trip at York University than the vast majority of TTC stations on both the Yonge and Bloor lines. York sees 26,000 riders come and go on the TTC, which is more than 19 of the 29 stations on the Yonge line and more than 20 of the 31 stations on the Bloor line. Another 14,000 riders on other transit systems such as Brampton Transit, York’s Viva and GO Transit pass through the university.
A significant volume of subway riders will be generated by the Region of York, which had a growth rate of 22.4% between 2000 and 2005, and this population growth is expected to continue adding about 30,000 new residents to the region each year for the next 15 years. At the same time, transportation studies demonstrate that cross-border flows continue to grow rapidly and the flow of people is almost balanced between York and Toronto.
Even before development activity begins, there is a high volume of ridership for this line and in terms of development activity along this line.
Safina survives a challenge from Rexall Centre’s winds
Dinara Safina survived what looked destined to become the first upset at the US$1.34 million Rogers Cup tournament Monday, reported Canadian Press Aug. 14. The No. 9-seeded Russian player edged Camille Pin of France in an opening-round match that lasted two hours 36 minutes on a chilly and blustery night at the Rexall Centre. Safina, No. 14 in the world, looked strong at the outset…but Pin, just 91st in the world, put up a stiff challenge from that point on, fighting against the wind that swirled around the stadium at York University, with gusts up to 30 kilometres per hour.
York coach impressed by Quebec’s Eastern Townships
What has impressed people the most at the men’s and women’s under-15 national basketball championships has been the Eastern Townships, wrote The Record (Sherbrooke, Que.) Aug. 14. Certainly the weather has cooperated, allowing visitors to enjoy the scenery, lakes, numerous golf courses and easy access to the United States (when they were not in a gymnasium watching basketball). Bill Pangos, head coach of the York Lions women’s basketball team at York University, who is in town to watch his son Kevin play for the under-15 Ontario team, took his family on local bicycle rides and camping at Mount Orford.
On air
- Paul Delaney, professor of physics & astronomy in York’s Faculty of Science & Engineering, spoke about minor damage to the space shuttle Endeavour incurred at lift-off, on CTV’s “Canada AM” Aug. 14. Ben Quine, director of York’s Space Engineering Program, also spoke about the problem with the space shuttle, on CBC Radio Aug. 14, as did his colleague George Zhu, professor of engineering.
- York student Ravinderje Sarai, who plays the ancient Indian sport of kabaddi, was featured on Citytv as its athlete of the week on Aug. 13.