FAQs

Currently, Met’s sanctuary is the only accessible area. Ontario regulations, in the form of The Ontario Accessibilities Act, require the provision of full accessibility no later than 2022. In addition, Met’s general facilities are antiquated and cannot be used efficiently. In the building, nothing has been done since the completion of the lower-level Met Centre in 2005, and the result is failing HVAC and other items falling into disrepair while awaiting this renovation. Many of the improvements will reduce maintenance and service cost for years to come. As a general policy, it was determined some time ago that the physical building must be brought up to modern standards to ensure Metropolitan can continue to serve its community effectively in its third century. Most of the city’s prominent downtown churches, including St. Paul’s Bloor Street, St. Michael’s Cathedral, St. James’ Cathedral, and St. Andrew’s Presbyterian, have undergone similar renovations, so this work is necessary to provide our congregation and visitors with a comparable space that suits needs for 50 to 100 years.

The contract stipulates a completion date of December 22nd, 2019, but we anticipate that this may go into 2020. We are scheduling complete occupancy for February 2020 to allow for furnishing installation and moving staff into their new facilities.

This work is a continuation of the lower-level renovations that created the Met Centre, referred to in the original plans as Phase Two. The architect for this phase was hired 3 years ago, as authorized by the Trustees and the Board, and the concepts were presented at the annual general meetings in 2016 and 2017.