VENUE NEWS   11.24.08 3:05 PM Community Project Transforms Streetcar Yard Into Neighbourhood Centre With Event Space FROM TORONTO A $21.2-million investment by the municipal, provincial, and federal governments has transformed the old TTC streetcar repair barns on Wychwood Avenue into an arts and environmental centre that will be run by the community. The Artscape Wychwood Barns, located in the St. Clair and Christie neighbourhood, officially opened 60,000 square feet of space to the public Thursday. The site, which includes four separate barns, is surrounded by a new city park and has a number of performance, rehearsal, and event spaces. The Covered Street Barn is a large open space offering year-round access for exhibitions, festivals, and community events. The Studio Barn includes 26 units of social housing for artists and their families and 15 artist studio spaces. The Community Barn had 13 offices for nonprofit and environmental organizations as well as programming and rehearsal space. And the Green Barn, operated by the Stop Community Food Centre, will house a temperate greenhouse, sheltered garden, outdoor bake oven, and compost demonstration site.   —Susan O'Neill Artscape has transformed the former streetcar yard into a community hub in the Christie and St. Clair neighbourhood. Photo: Courtesy of Artscape The Covered Street Barn provides event space suitable for exhibitions and festivals. Photo: Courtesy of Artscape   RELATED TOPICS Artscape Toronto, T.T.C.