John Wakulat – Founding Chair of the RVBIA

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It is with heavy hearts the Roncesvalles Village BIA Board shares the news of the recent passing of ​​John Wakulat, founding Chair of the Roncesvalles Village BIA.   Long time Roncesvalles Village residents and business owners will remember John as former owner of Pollocks Home Hardware, family man and enthusiastic champion of local small businesses.   John is also remembered fondly for … Read More

Anti-Racism and Social Justice Committee Formation

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In recognition of our responsibility to actively foster inclusion and diversity, we have begun forming a Anti-Racism and Social Justice Committee. We are committed to working together to establish and implement changes that will make a meaningful impact in our community. Systemic racism exists within our society and our community is not exempt. We hope to create a committee of … Read More

OBIAA Award Goes to RVBIA Founder

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At the recent OBIAA Conference held in Toronto, the founder of the Roncesvalles Village BIA, Mr. John Wakulat, was awarded the prestigious Alex Ling Lifetime Achievement Award. The Alex Ling Lifetime Achievement Award is given annually to a person in the Ontario BIA movement with major lifelong contributions to BIAs. The award is named after Alex Ling, one of the founders … Read More

Happy Anniversary

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The Roncesvalles Village BIA was honoured to receive a declaration from the City of Toronto at this week’s TABIA Awards Night, held at the beautiful Palais Royale. The Roncesvalles Village BIA received congratulations on reaching its twenty-eighth anniversary, making us one of the older BIAs in Toronto (and the world.) The Roncesvalles Village BIA was founded in 1986. Its first … Read More

Thank You Tony, and Welcome John!

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At the 2013 Annual General Meeting of the Roncesvalles Village BIA, Tony Cauch announced his retirement from the position of Chair of the BIA. Serving as the Chair of the BIA for some fourteen years, Tony lead the BIA through some of the most significant events of its history, including the founding of the Roncesvalles Polish Festival in 2005 and Roncy … Read More

Roncesvalles Village BIA Board Honoured at City Hall

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On November 16 there was a brief ceremony at City Hall to thank the hard-working volunteers of City of Toronto agencies, boards and commissions. Many hundreds of people volunteer their free time to serve on various boards, including those that govern the 72 BIAs in Toronto. Outgoing mayor David Miller thanked the assembled people for their freely given time and … Read More

Roncesvalles Village BIA Honoured At OBIAA Conference

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It is with pride that we announce that the Roncesvalles Village BIA has been awarded the Special Events and Promotions Award at this year’s Ontario BIA Association conference. RVBIA Vice-chair Andrew Chomentowski accepted the award on behalf of the BIA. In particular, this award acknowledges the extraordinary success of the Roncesvalles Polish Festival, which in five years has become one … Read More

Roncesvalles Village At BIA 40th Anniversary Celebration

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Toronto is well-known as being an innovative city. Great artists, businesspeople, thinkers and scientists call Toronto home. What is less well-known is that the BIA movement started in Toronto. In 1970 the Bloor West Village BIA became the first BIA in the world. Last Saturday we were pleased to attend a celebration of the 40th anniversary of BIAs. Mayor David … Read More

Thank You Krys!

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As a number of you probably know, Krys Streich left Copernicus Lodge and therefore our BIA a short while ago. Krys served on the Board and was an important volunteer in our community, particularly in the Roncesvalles Polish Festival. This is an excerpt from a very nice letter we received: Dear Tony and BIA Members: Thank you so much for … Read More