Project Updates

Are you keeping up with the latest on the Dorsay Community & Heritage Centre? Construction is well underway for this 44,000 square-foot, zero-carbon facility, which is slated to open in Spring 2026.

June 2025

  • Facility construction is about halfway complete.

    Foundations and structural steel superstructure work is complete, including provision of floor slabs and roof decks. Roofing work and exterior wall construction are well underway with curtain wall installation to commence in June. The building should be enclosed during the summer, enabling focus to shift to interior finishing for the final stage of the project. Interior partitions, electrical, mechanical, and related rough-ins are advancing steadily.

    Interested in getting a closer look at the building? Check out our video with Vince Plouffe, Division Head, Facilities & Construction Management here.


    Staff are actively working with the project consultants to develop all aspects of wayfinding and signage that will be required, including interior and exterior signage, site orientation elements, and the potential addition of a pylon sign with electronic display boards along Highway 7.

    Current construction highlights include:

    • Permanent power will be connected to the building shortly.
    • Steel superstructure and wood-laminated beam installation are complete.
    • Roof deck installation is complete, and roofing is underway.
    • Cladding and curtain wall installation will begin shortly, with full building encloser anticipated this summer.
    • Paving and landscaping work are scheduled to begin by late summer.
    • The Puterbaugh Schoolhouse and Harvey House have been successfully relocated. Restoration of the Harvey House will proceed as a separate project, with design work already underway.
    • Major HVAC equipment is on site and being placed in position on rooftop curbs. Elevator installation will proceed after the building is enclosed.
    • Demolition of the former site administration building is scheduled for the fall.

  • Naming rights for the facility are being considered.

    The City of Pickering recognizes and supports sponsorship and naming rights opportunities as a revenue generating tool that offsets costs associated with the construction and operation of City facilities. Naming rights also play a pivotal role in building stronger relationships and partnerships with key stakeholders in the community who are operating a business and employing individuals or building new communities in Pickering. When a corporation invests in naming rights within a community, it elevates brand awareness and allows them to reach a broader demographic.

    City staff have been in discussions with Dorsay Developments Inc. to provide naming rights for the Community Centre. Report to Council ECD 04-25 was presented at the May 26 Council meeting. Council asked for time for further consideration of the report and asked staff to return the report to the June Council meeting.

  • A project progress report will be presented to Council at the June 9 Executive Committee meeting.

    Report CAO 10-25 provides a progress update on the project and will be considered by Council at the June 9 Executive Committee meeting.

    The report recommends that staff be directed to issue a formal request to Durham Region Transit for the provision of a bus stop in proximity to the Pickering Heritage & Community Centre.

    Regular project updates can also be viewed at pickering.ca/PHCC.

January 2025

  • Facility Construction remains on schedule, with the construction expected to be complete at the end of 2025.

The installation of the structural steel is almost complete, along with the framing. The roofing continues to be constructed, with most of the glulam beams and joists installed. The mechanical work in the basement continues, with sprinkler, plumbing, and ductwork continuing.

  • Community Consultation for programming has concluded.

    Three Open Houses were held:

    - Wednesday, November 13 at the Chestnut Hill Developments Recreation Complex
    - Wednesday, November 20 at Greenwood Community Centre
    - Thursday, November 21 at Dr. Nelson F. Tomlinson Community Centre

    A survey was available at LetsTalkPickering.ca/PHCC until November 7, 2024. Feedback will be used to inform program, event, and exhibit planning at the facility.

    City staff have also been meeting with the Greenwood Recreation Association to plan programs, meetings, and events in the new community centre.

  • A project progress report was presented to Council at the Executive Committee meeting on December 2, 2024.

Report CAO 07-24 was presented to Council on December 2, 2024, and was approved at the Council meeting on December 16. Highlights of construction progress are summarized as follows:

- Full building permits have been issued
- The formal offer to connect has been received from Elexicon
- Permanent power will be connected to the property in early 2025
- Foundations are largely complete and final backfilling is underway
- Critical civil works for stormwater management are substantially complete
- The Puterbaugh Schoolhouse and Harvey House have both been moved to their new locations and place on new foundations
- Steel superstructure is being installed with roofing to follow shortly
- The former site administration building is being used as a construction site office by the general contractor until it needs to be demolished
- Construction continues to be diverted away from the Hamlet of Greenwood, to and from Highway 7, directly.


November 2024

  • Facility construction on schedule.

    The floor deck install on the ground floor is nearing completion. Concrete pouring of slab-on-grade is taking place over the next month. Metal stud framing of the walls has started, with sprinkler rough-ins taking place. The roof deck installation is expected to start in early November.



  • Community consultation on the programming of facility to begin this month.

    There are three Open Houses planned:

  • Wednesday, November 13 at Chestnut Hill Developments Recreation Complex
  • Wednesday, November 20 at Greenwood Community Centre
  • Thursday, November 21 at Dr. Nelson F. Tomlinson Community Centre

    A survey will be live at LetsTalkPickering.ca/PHCC on November 8.

    Consultation will seek input from Pickering residents regarding program options, program times, and desired use of the facility.

  • New renderings showcase the facility spaces.

    1. The rendering below showcases the teaching and catering kitchen. Culinary programs will be offered in this space. The kitchen will also support programs and events that take place in the multi-purpose space.


    2. The rendering below showcases the program room. This space will be used for a variety of programs, from kids camps to music and language instruction; this program space will be suitable for many uses for all ages.


    3. This rendering showcases a concept of an art exhibit in the exhibit gallery. The exhibit gallery will feature rotating exhibits, including community-based exhibits.


    Regular project updates can also be viewed at pickering.ca/PHCC.

July/August 2024

  • The foundation of the facility continues to be constructed.

    Over the summer, delivery and the first installation of the structural steel began. Progress was made on the foundation walls, and everything remains on schedule.



  • The heritage building (Harvey House) was moved over the summer and now rests in its permanent location.

    The Harvey House has been placed over a new, full basement, which will ensure the long term preservation of this building. The building is planned to undergo a full rehabilitation after the opening of the Pickering Heritage & Community Centre, and will be used for public programs and available for rentals.

    This building is an Aladdin House Co. Ltd. mail-order bungalow with craftsman-style features.

    This building was originally constructed in 1927, as the retirement residence for Albert (Bert) Harvey and his wife Susanna. The building originally sat south of the Bentley House in Brougham (south-west quadrant of the Brock Road/Highway 7 intersection) before being relocated to the Museum in 2012.


    Bert Harvey (1869 - 1945), born in England, was a vaudeville entertainer, who immigrated Toronto when quite young. In 1893, Bert married Susanna Matilda Almond (1874 - 1956). Research indicates that Bert travelled across Canada, the United States, and to England to perform. Susanna is said to have accompanied him on stage as his pianist.

    They had three sons: Robert (1894 - 1974), Charles (1896 - 1918), and Albert (1907 - 1966). His sons Bob and Al became singers and comedians.

    Bert and Susanna Harvey moved to Greenwood, Pickering Township, in 1919, having visited friends in the hamlet in 1918. They rented the original Green House on Greenwood Road (south of the museum property). In November of 1919, Bert purchased the local general store in Greenwood from M. Gleeson, proprietor, and operated it under the name Harvey and Son until 1928.

June 2024

  • The concrete placement for all foundation walls continues, and is expected to be complete by the end of July.

  • The Pickering Museum Village continues to run programs on the lower site of the Village, with access from Gate 3.

  • Staff continue to meet regularly with the TRCA to discuss archaeological work.

  • Log cabin was moved.


May 2024

Heritage Schoolhouse was moved to a new, permanent foundation.

This building has been the space for many of the Museum's educational programs - in its new location, it will receive upgraded heating, air conditioning, and ventilation to allow for year-round use.


April 2024

  • site excavation took place
  • trenches for footings were ug
  • footings were poured


March 2024

J.R. Certus Construction Co. Ltd began site preparation. This included:

  • installing a perimeter fence
  • installing construction signage
  • clearing and grading the sit


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