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This morning, the City of Toronto celebrated the ground breaking for the Western North York Community Recreation & Child Care Centre, launching construction on one of its first net-zero aquatic facilities. Located in the Humberlea neighbourhood, it is set to deliver an 80,000 ft² community hub designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and expand access to recreation, childcare, and educational programming.
Mayor Olivia Chow joined Councillor Anthony Perruzza, City staff, and representatives from builder Pomerleau to mark the start of construction. “We’re building more community centres and spaces for families to enjoy,” said Mayor Chow. “And having a net-zero energy facility is something all residents can be proud of.” Councillor Perruzza emphasized the role of community consultation in shaping the project, calling the centre “a recreational hub for everyone.”
Slated to open in late 2028, the new facility will replace the nearby Carmine Stefano Community Centre, which will remain operational until construction is complete. Designed by MacLennan Jaunkalns Miller Architects, the project follows three years of community engagement and is designed to serve a growing and diverse local population with inclusive spaces and programming.
The centre will include the following:
- lap pool
- leisure pool
- aquatic program classroom
- gymnasium
- walking track
- two fitness/dance studios
- multi-media space
- STEM lab
- computer lab
- change rooms
- child care centre
- teaching kitchen
- art studio
- community spaces
- social amphitheatre
In addition, geothermal systems are planned to regulate indoor temperatures by drawing energy from below ground. Most of the facility’s electricity would be supplied by an integrated solar system, while low-carbon concrete and advanced stormwater infrastructure further reduce the building’s environmental footprint. The project has received the 2025 RAIC Research & Innovation in Architecture Award for excellence in climate-conscious design and architectural technology.
UrbanToronto will continue to follow progress on this development, but in the meantime, you can learn more about it from our Database file, linked below. If you’d like, you can join in on the conversation in the associated Project Forum thread or leave a comment in the space provided on this page.
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UrbanToronto has a research service, UTPro, that provides comprehensive data on development projects in the Greater Golden Horseshoe — from proposal through to completion. We also offer Instant Reports, downloadable snapshots based on location, and a daily subscription newsletter, New Development Insider, that tracks projects from initial application.
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