TORONTO — The Jewish Youth Network of Ontario announced last week that a property has been purchased for a new campus on Bathurst Street, just north of Highway 407, in Thornhill.

The state-of-the-art campus will be named the Miriam and Larry Robbins Jewish Youth Centre and has been dedicated by Larry Robbins, principal partner of Erin Mills Development Corporation and Great Gulf Homes.

Robbins, along with his family, is a long-time friend and supporter of JYN. At a recent celebration, hosted at the home of Allen and Brenlee Gales, Robbins was recognized for his devoted commitment and outstanding contribution to Jewish youth, and renderings for the building project were unveiled.

The new centre, slated to open in 2015, is designed to engage the next generation of Jewish youth. It will be exclusively dedicated to sharpening the identity of Jewish teens and to serving their needs, both spiritual and material, and will include a sports lounge, youth cafe, classrooms, social space, basketball court, and playground.

As a fund-matching fundraiser, Robbins topped up his donation with an additional matching grant of $540,000 to kick-start this unique project.