City Centre

Pickering's City Centre is undergoing a transformation to create a vibrant, connected, and walkable space, where municipal service and program delivery, arts and culture, and residential intensification come together as the heart of the City.

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City retains MacLennan Jaunkalns Miller Architects Ltd. for new Pickering City Centre Park

Council approved the Request for Proposal No. RFP2024-1 for the new Pickering City Centre Park – Design submitted by MacLennan Jaunkalns Miller Architects Ltd., to provide design and construction services in the amount of $744,105.00 (total net cost).

As part of the mall redevelopment and City Centre Master Plan, CentreCourt is conveying 0.5753 hectares (1.42 acres) of parkland to the City of Pickering for the construction of this urban park, located in the existing parking lot directly across from Glenanna Road and the Pickering Civic Complex.

Through community engagement, and input from Council and staff, a number of features were recommended for consideration in the design. These features include:

• outdoor skating rink (winter)
• public event space (summer)
• public washroom and maintenance
• water feature(s)
• public art
• large shade structure “stage” area
• soft landscaping/trees
• public seating/gathering areas

This project was identified as Council’s second highest Capital Budget priority at the Special Meeting of Council on January 18, 2024 (Resolution #379/24).

The estimated total cost of the park, including design, construction, furniture, and fixtures is $15 million.

Read Report ENG 16-24(External link) to learn more.

Background

• The City Centre planning started in 2017, however previous designs were based on a joint development model which is no longer feasible. The City is currently exploring options to develop the City Centre by focusing on lands it already owns and deliberately reusing as much of the previously completed work as possible to avoid starting from scratch. View a timeline of the project here.
• City Centre Park: At the Special Council Meeting of January 18, 2024 (Report FIN 01-24(External link)), Council confirmed Pickering City Centre Project Phase One (which is the City Centre Park) as the second capital budget priority. Furthermore, Council recommended that the Mayor be requested to include this project in the 2024 Capital Budget ($1.5 million for design) and 2025-2033 Capital forecast ($13.5 million dollars for construction and related costs).
• Pickering City Centre Project Phase Two: At the Special Council Meeting of January 18, 2024 (Report FIN 01- 24(External link)), Council deferred Pickering City Centre Phase Two (Scenario 6) to 2028, upon the completion of the Seaton Recreation Complex & Library

Facilities on the Park Vision

The latest City Centre vision presented a ‘Facilities on the Park’ concept, which means that the Esplanade South roadway would be relocated a little further south, to allow for the proposed facilities to be constructed adjacent to Esplanade Park, creating scenic views of green space.

The proposed facilities and amenities for City Centre included:

• new Central Library
• new Community Centre with dedicated seniors & youth spaces
• new Performing Arts Centre
• expanded City Hall administration space
• new Public Square
• new connected green spaces to create a ‘campus’ concept – one on the west side of Glenanna Road (description below) to offer year-round activities and one south of the current Central Library which will offer gathering opportunities and possible event space
• residential development – to be located above the Library and Community Centre

CentreCourt

CentreCourt, a private developer, has recently announced a 55-acre mixed use community slated for the existing Pickering Town Centre Mall and surrounding lands.

As part of the development application process, the City negotiated that CentreCourt will convey ten percent of their land to the City for parkland (Developers are required to convey five per cent of their development or redevelopment land to the City for parkland or other public recreation purposes).

This new park, and amenities within, will be located on the west side of Glenanna Road, adjacent to the private development and across from the Pickering Civic Complex, and will be owned and operated by the City of Pickering. A rigorous public and stakeholder consultation process is anticipated to ensure that community feedback is incorporated into the park design. View CentreCourt media release(External link) for project details.