A New Chapter Begins at West Campus

It was a day filled with excitement, pride and gratitude as the TFS family gathered to officially break ground on the new Athletic Wing at West Campus, a key development in the overarching Can’t Wait! Campaign, the largest expansion on our campuses in over 20 years. 

“The West Campus is a special, close-knit community. There’s a magic about this campus. Everyone who comes here, feels it.” said Norman Gaudet, TFS Head of School. “We’re celebrating today not only because it’s the start of construction of our new Athletic Wing, but the beginning of a transformation on our campuses that will have a lasting impact on our school and surrounding community for generations to come.”

The groundbreaking was also a moment to recognize the incredible commitment of donors, past and present, who made this project possible. While this celebration marked the official launch, the journey began years ago with families who believed in the future of West Campus. The Sprott family, whose name adorns the school library, was among those early champions, helping lead the way with a foundational gift that enabled critical campus upgrades. Today, that legacy continues as new families step forward. Several were invited to speak with their children, a powerful reminder that this project is about building a future with and for the next generation.

Wallace Wang and Lily Meng, who have long supported student opportunities at TFS, shared why investing in the school is so important to them. “TFS is a school that nurtures citizens who love, strive for independent thinking, and a bright future and we’re proud to support that.”

The Bechara family was also recognized for their early and transformational gift. “We made our gift five years ago. For us it was an easy decision. We already trusted TFS with the most precious thing in the world — our kids. So, of course we would trust TFS to take this money and make something incredible happen.”

 

The Kaneff family, now two generations strong at the school, helped bring this vision to life with their philanthropic contributions reaching $1 million. Anna-Maria and Kirstina Kaneff, joined by their children and their mother Didi, shared that this gift represents a full-circle moment: a bridge from their family’s roots in homebuilding to a legacy of mission-driven philanthropy. Just a few hundred metres from where West Campus stands, their late father, Ignat Kaneff, built his first house, after arriving from Bulgaria, at age 14, with only a grade 8 education. He would go on to spend his life championing education. “The opportunity to help build a space that in part bears our family’s name, is not only a tribute to them but a way to give back to an institution that has given us so much — a sense of belonging, the courage to think critically and the expectation to hold ourselves to the highest academic standards,” said the Kaneff family.

Also joining the festivities was Ward 1 Councillor Stephen Dasko, whose support was instrumental in advancing the project through the city’s approval process. He remarked on the important role TFS plays in the lives of children and families across the region, “this is a gathering of well minded people to bring about great things for the students, which is what it all comes down to, having the best possible experience for our students,” he said.

 

Guests had the opportunity to write farewell messages on the walls of the beloved mini gym, which will soon be replaced by a full-size gym, complete with a viewing gallery. Davy Marques, West Campus principal, reflected on what this moment represents. “The West Campus Athletic Wing will serve as a hub for health and wellness. Students will have access to a facility that will support their needs and provide opportunities for all students to engage in activities that promote strength, resilience and overall well-being in both mind and body. Graduation ceremonies, assemblies, whole school events and more will also take place in the new gym, where students, teachers and families will create lasting memories.”

As construction begins, the excitement is already growing. Soon, students will cheer from the stands, compete on their home court and build lifelong memories in a space built just for them.

“Many years ago I had the privilege to witness the birth of our current mini gym and at the time it was an exciting space for the younger students,” said Ulrick Bedos, West Campus vice principal. “Twenty-seven years later our students have grown and now, so has our gym. It's evolving into a full-grown space, ready to serve children of all ages.”

Looking back at how far the school has come, and looking ahead to what’s possible, TFS Board Director Rob Galaski put it simply: “This project is a testament to our shared commitment to excellence, innovation, and the future of TFS.”