LeasideLifev2nov_LeasideLifev1 11-11-16 2:56 PM Page 1
No. 1 • December 2011
Leaside Life
A message from publisher Lorna Krawchuk Page 22
$900 a year for heat, water, drying
Green house looking for a buyer By Alison Rockwell Like most owners preparing to list their home for sale, Peter Goulimis has taken the usual steps, hiring experienced agents and keeping his home presentable for viewings. Unlike most sellers, however, Goulimis’ custom-built Leaside home has a uniquely green appeal, and a problem. The large 4,192 square foot house was designed from top to bottom to include as many eco-friendly and energy efficient options as possible, making his home one of the “greenest” in the neighbourhood, if not well beyond. But these benefits often come with a cost, evidenced not only in the $1.995 million asking price, but also by the fact the home is still for sale, weeks after being listed. It’s a slight surprise given 32 Parkhurst’s prime location in South Leaside, steps from Leaside High School, elementary schools and the popular shops on the Bayview strip, but Goulimis acknowledges his sale depends in large part on potential buyers understanding what they are getting out of an environmentally sound home. “You can’t compare this house to others of similar size in the neighbourhood,” says Goulimis, owner of Goulimis Construction Ltd., which builds eco-friendly custom homes. “My costs [for a family of four] are $900 to heat our house, our water, and dry our clothes, for an entire year,” and he has the records and ratings to prove it. Building a home as green and energy efficient as possible has entitled See AMONG, Page 4
CYNDA FLEMING
Peter Goulimis in his $1.995 million house on Parkhurst.
By Beth Parker
Million bucks kicked off fundraiser
All Leaside’s public schools as well as St. Anselm Catholic School are bursting at the seams, at or over capacity. And Bessborough, Rolph Rd., Northlea and Bennington Heights expect increased enrolment. With Toronto’s population predicted to expand exponentially over the next decade and full day kindergarten coming in the next two years, principals are challenged to find space they don’t have. “Our postage stamp lots can’t handle the growth,” says one Bessborough parent, “We just don’t have the property.
One family’s donation of a million bucks would be a pretty good kick-start to a fundraising campaign, even in a community larger than Leaside. But when that happened here last year, more than a decade after the Leaside Gardens arena decided to do something about the shortage of ice skating time to meet strong demand, the result was surprising. That huge anonymous donation has more than doubled already, to almost $2.1 million. That’s in contrast to the usual long talk-talk-talk until 2009 when Toronto decided to buy the former
Our schools are bursting
See MANY, Page 6
See COST, Page 14