Columbus Centre, located on the Villa Charities campus, is the GTA’s preeminent destination for arts and culture serving the Italian Canadian community and beyond.
Frequented by more than 150,000 visitors every year, Columbus Centre is a popular meeting place where people can enjoy the richness of the Italian culture in a Canadian setting; a community hub that brings together art, culture, fitness, and great culinary experiences all under one roof.
Columbus Centre of Toronto Celebrates its 40th Anniversary
OFFICIAL ANNIVERSARY DATE:Saturday, October 10, 2020
Since its opening in 1980, the Columbus Centre has served as a vibrant community centre where people can enjoy the richness of an Italian culture within a Canadian setting. Today, the Columbus Centre remains a major hub for the GTA’s Italian-Canadian community and a popular meeting place frequented by more than 150,000 visitors every year. Patrons of all ages visit the Columbus Centre for dance, visual arts, music, Italian language and children’s camps; view art exhibitions at the Joseph D. Carrier Art Gallery; attend cultural events and programming; use child care services; and participate in a wide range of athletic, aquatic and wellness programs at our expansive Athletic Club.
In 2018, the Columbus Centre was added to the City of Toronto’s Heritage Register. Designated heritage elements include the mosaic-tiled and brick “St. Mary’s Training School” door frame and decorative mosaic at the southeast corner of the original building; the Rotunda, built originally as a venue for social functions and weddings, and converted in 1986 into an art gallery; and the adjoining landscaped setting of the sculpture garden.
The Columbus Centre 40th Anniversary will be commemorated by two special art exhibitions to be hosted in the Joseph D. Carrier Art Gallery during October and November 2020. Commissioned by Villa Charities, these exhibitions will highlight the history of the Columbus Centre as well as showcase artists who represent the present day and future of the visual arts community.
Columbus Centre patrons and the community at large are invited to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the community centre by experiencing these memorable exhibitions.
We want to hear from you! All month long, please send us your favourite stories, photos and memories of the Columbus Centre and we will display them on our Virtual Memory Wall. If you’d like to send a message to be included on our Virtual Memory Wall, please email info@villacharities.com or post a message on our Facebook, Twitter or Instagram page, using the hashtag #CC40.
Here is a look back at some of the memorable moments from the past 40 years at the Columbus Centre:
Historical Images
Columbus Centre presented: At the ICBC annual general meeting, the architectural model of the campus, including the proposed Columbus Centre, was presented to members by (left to right) ICBC Vice President Joseph Chiappetta, President Anthony Fusco, Executive Director Paul Ariemma, Governor Elio Rosati, Chair Joseph Carrier, and Celeste Iacobelli. (1978)
Columbus Centre Opens: Officiating the opening ceremonies of Columbus Centre were: (left to right) North York Mayor Mel Lastman, Senator Peter Bosa, ICBC President Tony Fusco, Ontario Premier William G. Davis, acting ICBC President Joe Chiappetta, Italian Ambassador Paolo Fulci, and ICBC chair Joe Carrier. The children’s choir (above) sang the national anthems on this very proud occasion. (October 10, 1980)
Lastman: La Festa dell’uva (Grape Festival) at Columbus Centre celebrated the autumn harvest and encouraged fun-filled participation from people like North York Mayor Mel Lastman being fed grapes by City of York Mayor Gayle Christie. (1981)
Pavarotti: Thousands came to see tenor Luciano Pavarotti (centre) at Columbus Centre for a reception in his honour. Welcoming him were (left to right) ICBC President Joe Chiappetta, ICBC chair Joe Carrier, women’s committee and gala event chair Georgina Madott and ICBC fundraising committee chair Rudy Bratty. (January 1982)
Joseph D. Carrier Art Gallery Opens: Ontario Minister of Colleges and Universities Gregory Sorbara and Federal Minister of Communications Flora MacDonald unveiled a dedication plaque at the official opening of the Joseph D. Carrier Art Gallery with Joe Carrier (right). (May 1987)
CC 10th: A reception celebrated the appointment of ICBC President Con Di Ninoto the Senate of Canada, as well as the tenth anniversary of Columbus Centre. In front of a large cake were: (left to right) ICBC President Toni Varone, ICBC Executive Director Pal Di Iulio, VCLA honourary chair Mary Bartolini, Senator Con Di Nino, ICBC Vice-President Mary Lou Ianni, granddaugter Kristin Di Nino, Italian Canadian Charitable Foundation President Tony Fusco and Minister of Finance Michael Wilson. (October 1990)
CC 25th: Politicians and past Presidents cut the cake to celebrate Columbus Centre’s 25th anniversary. (L to R) M. Giomini, M. Colle, J. Volpe, J. Bartleman, P. Di Iulio, N. Torchetti, T. Fusco, R. Martella, T. Varone, R. Pillon, P. Pellegrini, J. Chiappetta, H. Moscoe (October 2005)
New Ambassador visits Columbus Centre (L to R) N. Torchetti, P. Di Iulio, Ambassador A. Meloni, G. Barini, N. Sgro (2010)
Life at the Columbus Centre
Adult Art Landscape Painting Class (March 2018)
“Anteprima Eataly”, a special dinner to welcome international food brand Eataly to Toronto at Ristorante Boccaccio at the Columbus Centre (October 2019)
Formula 1™ driver Antonio Giovinazzi visits the Columbus Centre for Luncheon and Q&A event presented by Villa Charities Foundation (June 2019)
Formula 1™ driver Antonio Giovinazzi visits the Columbus Centre for Luncheon and Q&A event presented by Villa Charities Foundation (June 2019)
Canta Italia Tuesday Series at the Columbus Centre in celebration of Italian Heritage Month (June 2018)
Christmas Music Recital at the Columbus Centre School of Music (December 2019)
Christmas Music Recital at the Columbus Centre School of Music (December 2019)
Villa Charities Hosts Welcome Event for Consul General of Italy Eugenio Sgro’ at the Columbus Centre (November 2018)
Villa Charities Hosts Welcome Event for Consul General of Italy Eugenio Sgro’ at the Columbus Centre (November 2018)
DanzArts Toronto Workshop with Adam Paolozza at the Columbus Centre (February 2018)
DanzArts Toronto Pop Up Dance Class at Porte Aperte / Open House Event on the Columbus Centre Grounds (September 2018)
Face Painting and Balloon Animals at Porte Aperte / Open House Event on the Columbus Centre Grounds (September 2018)
“Faces of the GIRO” Photography Exhibition Opening Reception in the Joseph D. Carrier Art Gallery at the Columbus Centre (November 2017)
“Faces of the GIRO” Photography Exhibition Opening Reception in the Joseph D. Carrier Art Gallery at the Columbus Centre (November 2017)
TLN Media Group Hosts “A TLN Experience at the Columbus Centre” with Celebrity Chefs Lidia Bastianich and David Rocco in Support of Villa Charities (January 2020)
TLN Media Group Hosts “A TLN Experience at the Columbus Centre” with Celebrity Chefs Lidia Bastianich and David Rocco in Support of Villa Charities (January 2020)
Italian Fallen Workers Memorial Ceremony on the Villa Charities campus to pay tribute to more than 1,000 fallen workers (April 2017)
“Anteprima Eataly”, a special dinner to welcome international food brand Eataly to Toronto at Ristorante Boccaccio at the Columbus Centre (October 2019)
Main Gym of the Columbus Centre Athletic Club
Artist Marco Sassone at the Opening Night Reception for “Home on the Streets” and “Nowhere to Call Home” Exhibitions in the Joseph D. Carrier Art Gallery at the Columbus Centre (January 2019)
Columbus Centre Grounds at the Porte Aperte Inverno / Winter Open House Event (February 2019)
Summer Camp at the Columbus Centre
Summer Camp at the Columbus Centre
Marcello Tarantino at the Opening Night Reception for the annual Viva Vitalita Italiana Exhibition in celebration of Italian Heritage Month in the Joseph D. Carrier Art Gallery at the Columbus Centre (June 2018)
