{"id":18401,"date":"2023-06-19T20:43:34","date_gmt":"2023-06-20T03:43:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/essential.construction\/news\/design-advances-for-community-centre-at-sorauren-park\/"},"modified":"2023-06-19T20:43:35","modified_gmt":"2023-06-20T03:43:35","slug":"design-advances-for-community-centre-at-sorauren-park","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/essential.construction\/news\/design-advances-for-community-centre-at-sorauren-park\/","title":{"rendered":"Design Advances for Community Centre at Sorauren Park"},"content":{"rendered":"

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As Toronto’s urban landscape continues to evolve, so too does its community. The City of Toronto<\/a> is planning a new recreation centre<\/a> at Sorauren Park, southwest of Lansdowne Avenue and Dundas Street West in the Parkdale neighbourhood. The\u00a0Wabash Community Centre<\/a> will reuse elements of the former Canadian Linseed Oil Mills Ltd. building currently at the site.<\/p>\n

Looking southeast to the Wabash Community Centre, designed by Diamond Schmitt Architects for the City of Toronto<\/span><\/p>\n

The project\u2019s timeline started in 2018 with a Public Meeting and Workshop, and a design team was hired in December of 2019. The City of Toronto has set up three phases of community engagement from Summer 2020 to 2023.<\/p>\n

The former Canadian Linseed Oil Mills Ltd. building, located at 40 Wabash Avenue, dates back to 1910 but any work within the building\u00a0ended in 1969<\/a>. Now, it will be given a new lease of life as part of this project, demonstrating how Toronto is blending the old with the new in its urban landscape. In this case, the City’s Parks and Recreation Facilities planners will collaborate with Heritage Preservation Services in retaining heritage elements such as the chimney and principal facades.<\/p>\n

Drawings of the first floor of Wabash Community Centre, image from submission to City of Toronto<\/span><\/p>\n

The Wabash Community Centre design by Diamond Schmitt Architects<\/a> is for a four-storey building, set to include communal features such as a swimming pool, a double gymnasium including a basketball court and fitness area, and as a nod to environmental measure the city must take going forward, a green roof atop the third floor with solar panels.<\/p>\n

Drawings of the third floor of the Wabash Community Centre with green roof and solar panels at the north end, image from submission to City of Toronto<\/span><\/p>\n

At grade, the plans include a variety of features such as an off-leash area and social seating area to the north. To the south, the Town Square is to offer a variety of seating options and open space. The east end is set to offer vehicular parking and a pick-up and drop-off area.<\/p>\n

The City of Toronto is working Indigenous community members in planning the site, including meeting with an Indigenous Advisory Circle and consulting with Indigenous Peoples on how to best recognize the site\u2019s history and Indigenous presence on the land. To the west of the building will be a Sacred Fire<\/a> Ceremonial Space. This tradition<\/a> is a key ceremony in Indigenous traditions, and for the sake of air quality, the City currently permits these fires at just three locations.<\/p>\n

Proposed Sacred Fire Ceremonial Space on the west end of the site, image from submission to City of Toronto<\/span><\/p>\n

At this time, the City of Toronto is inviting the public to offer feedback on the preferred design for the centre. A Virtual Public Meeting<\/a> is scheduled for July 5, 2023, and the City is also encouraging residents to participate in an online survey<\/a> and attend in-person park pop-up events. The next in-person event is currently scheduled for June 24, 2023 at Sorauren Park from 5:00 to 9:15 PM.<\/p>\n

Previous design for the site, designed by Diamond Schmitt Architects for the City of Toronto<\/span><\/p>\n

This initiative is part of the City’s commitment to involving the community in the development process, and plays a small part in reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples. The survey includes questions for the Indigenous community on the Sacred Fire Ceremonial Space and Indigenous Placekeeping elements.<\/p>\n

An aerial view of the site and surrounding area, image retrieved from Google Maps<\/span><\/p>\n

The current phase is focused on community engagement and setting the direction. Detailed design is targeted to be completed by 2024, with construction to follow and expected to be completed by 2027.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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UrbanToronto has a research service,\u00a0UrbanToronto Pro<\/a>, that provides comprehensive data on construction projects in the Greater Toronto Area\u2014from proposal through to completion. We also offer\u00a0Instant\u00a0Reports<\/a>, downloadable snapshots based on location, and a daily subscription newsletter,\u00a0New Development Insider<\/a>, that tracks projects from initial application.<\/p>\n\n\n
Related Companies:\u00a0<\/td>\n\nDiamond Schmitt Architects<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n