The community engagement process to inform the design of the CRC is complete. Thank you to over 1,000 community members who participated in the process. Engagement with Indigenous communities for Indigenous placekeeping elements in the design is ongoing.

The City is planning a new community recreation centre at the southeast corner of Sorauren Park, adaptively reusing the existing former Canadian Linseed Oil Mills Ltd. building (1910).

While we aim to provide fully accessible content, there is no text alternative available for some of the content on this site. If you require alternate formats or need assistance understanding our maps, drawings, or any other content, please contact Ashley Wilson at 416-392-3592.

  • Summer 2018: Public Meeting to introduce the project
  • December 2019: Design team hired
  • Summer 2020 to Summer 2023: Community engagement and design development
    • Summer 2020 to Summer 2021: Community Engagement Phase A, Towards a Vision
    • Fall 2021 to Fall 2022: Community Engagement Phase B, Exploring Design Options
    • Spring to Summer 2023: Community Engagement Phase C, Setting the Direction
  • 2023 to 2024: Detailed design (current phase)
  • 2024: Hire a construction team
  • 2024 to 2027: Construction

The timeline is subject to change. Text in bold indicates the current project phase.

Level of Engagement

This project has been classified as a Collaborate project based on the International Association of Public Participation Public Participation Spectrum. This means we aim to partner with the public, stakeholders and rightsholders in each aspect of the design process, including the development of design options and the identification of a preferred design.

Engagement with Indigenous Communities

If you are an Indigenous community member who would like to get involved in and provide feedback to help shape the Community Recreation Centre, including the proposed Sacred Fire Ceremonial Space, please email William Skura to get involved at William.Skura@toronto.ca.

Naming

This Community Recreation Centre does not have a confirmed name yet. At the end of the design process, community recreation centres are often given names that describe the centre’s features or location (e.g. Parkdale Community Recreation Centre). These names, developed by City staff, make it easy for residents to identify and locate parks in their neighbourhoods and around the city. Alternatively, community members can develop and submit proposals for a commemorative park name before the end of the design process. A proposal to give a facility a commemorative name instead of a location-based name is first reviewed by City staff and then needs to be approved by Community Council.

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Site Plans

Landscape

Site Plan for the Features off-leash area and social seating area to the north, Sacred Fire Ceremonial Space and sloped lawn in the centre, Town Square in the south, and parking, pick-up and drop-off area to the east.
Site Plan for the overall landscape.

The new building is in the southeast corner of the existing Sorauren Park. The plan includes a fieldhouse next to Wabash Avenue and the new community recreation centre, with the reading garden and parking lot, is located along the rail corridor. The community plaza, on the west side of the centre, is next to the sloped lawn and sacred fire ceremonial space. The off-leash area is north of the centre.

Off-Leash Area and Seating Area

 A rendered site plan view of the off-leash area, situated just north of Wabash Community Centre. The surface of the off-leash area is mulch, and the space is enclosed by a wooden fence. The perimeter of the off-leash area is surrounding by a strip of planting. Within the off-leash area, there is bench seating on the north side and west side, with waste receptacles close-by. The centre of the off-leash area is mostly open, but includes some large boulder and log features. There is a pedestrian access gate on the southwest side of the fence, and a maintenance access gate on the north side. At the pedestrian access gate, there is a bench for seating, a waste receptacle, bag-dispenser, and drinking fountain. West of the off-leash area is a social seating area with tree planting, circular seating platforms, and permeable paving material.
Site plan for the off-leash area and social seating area.
  1. Post and paddle fence
  2. Public access double-gate
  3. Maintenance access
  4. Engineered wood fibre surfacing (mulch-like)
  5. Sloped planting buffer
  6. Dog waste bag dispenser and trash receptacle
  7. Benches
  8. Boulder and log dog play elements
  9. Drinking fountain, bottle filler and dog water bowl
  10. Tree planting in decorative paving
  11. Circular social seating platforms

Sacred Fire Ceremonial Space

A rendered plan illustrating the Sacred Fire Ceremonial Space situated to the west of the community centre. The image depicts a central circular space surrounded by a bio-swale and sloped native plantings, including trees, as well as a stone river-bed feature. In the centre of the circle is the sacred fire feature, 3 large boulder elements, and semi-circular bench seating. The central circular space is accessed via two at-grade crossings over the bioswale. These crossings are constructed of a grated material that allow water to flow through and beneath. The north edge of the circle has a canopy structure with privacy screen, and the south of the circle is a sloped and planted embankment facing north. On the south side of this embankment is a long sloped lawn that faces toward the expanded Town Square.
Site plan for the Sacred Fire ceremonial space.
  1. Sacred fire feature
  2. Circular rainwater garden (bioswale)
  3. Stone seating near fire (for small groups)
  4. Circular wooden bench seating (for large groups)
  5. Canopy with privacy screens
  6. Boardwalk/bridge over rainwater garden (no incline)
  7. Sloped planting buffer
  8. Sloped lawn (sloped south)

Town Square

A rendered site plan view of the town square, west of Wabash Community Centre. The town square is a large open space paved with unit pavers featuring an abstracted Métis beadwork paving pattern. At the north end of the Town Square is a long two-tiered bench with a sloped lawn behind, and at the south end of the Town Square are rows of tree plantings in permeable paving material. Beneath the trees are circular seating platforms. The town square also includes access to the existing pizza bake oven, and a proposed harvest table. Along the Wabash Avenue Streetscape are rows of trees, bicycle parking, and benches.
Site plan for the Town Square. Features proposed Métis beadwork paving design.
  1. Town Square
  2. Skateboard dot
  3. Sloped lawn
  4. Social seating areas
  5. Feature bench
  6. Western building entrance
  7. Sidewalk
  8. Bike parking
  9. Vendor vehicle access for Farmers’ Market
  10. Harvest table
  11. Existing pizza oven
  12. Fieldhouse entrance
  13. Fieldhouse washroom entrance
  14. Steps north
  15. Ramps north

Parking, Drop-off and Outdoor Reading Room

A rendered site plan view of the Pick-up/Drop-off area and Reading Garden. On the east side of the community centre building is a small partially enclosed Reading Garden with plantings, permeable paving material, and quiet seating areas. North of the reading garden, adjacent to the entrance to the building, is a pick-up/drop-off area paved with unit pavers, an open space for vehicle turn-around, a handful of parking stalls, and a small gathering space with seating and planting. To the east of the drop-off area is a concrete railway crash wall and berm, separating the parking area and community centre from the adjacent rail corridor.
Site plan for the parking, drop-off and outdoor reading room area.
  1. Building entrance
  2. Bench seating
  3. Bicycle parking (post and ring)
  4. Curbless unit paved surface
  5. Bollards and tactile strips
  6. Rail corridor crash wall and berm
  7. Reading garden
  8. Heritage brick wall and chimney
  9. Tree planting in resin-bound aggregate surface
  10. Parking including staff parking (7 spaces)
  11. Accessible parking (2 spaces)
  12. Wheel-trans drop-off/pick-up
  13. Vehicle turnaround area
  14. Loading area

Ground Floor

A plan view of the ground floor of the proposed design for the new community recreation centre. North section of the plan is occupied by the Natatorium with its two universal change rooms. These are connected to the lobby through a glazed corridor which runs along the length of the façade on the East side. The Lobby area is centrally located with the Natatorium to the North and existing building to the South. The lobby has two entrances one on the East, which faces the pick-up / drop-off area and one on the West which faces the park and Community Plaza. At the south end of the building and located within the existing building is a large divisible multi-purpose room, a teaching kitchen and main administrative suite with offices, meeting rooms and workstations. The existing building also houses the two building elevators, loading area and main bathrooms on this level.
Ground floor site plan featuring an aquatics wing featuring lap pool and leisure pool, change rooms, main lobby and dry wing with multipurpose rooms and kitchen.
  1. 25-metre, six-lane pool
  2. Shallow leisure pool
  3. Two universal change rooms with:
    1. private change stalls
    2. washroom stalls
    3. sinks and mirrors
    4. aquatic staff areas
    5. storage area
    6. leadership lounge
  4. Lobby viewing area
  5. Large divisible multi-purpose room with direct outdoor access
  6. Community kitchen with direct outdoor and lobby access
  7. Lobby
  8. Reception area
  9. Main entries
  10. Event/display area
  11. Administration
  12. Elevator
  13. Stairs
  14. Washrooms
  15. Shipping/loading
  16. Outdoor activity space – reading garden
  17. Public access washrooms

Second Floor

A plan view of the second floor of the proposed design for the new Centre. On the northeast side of the building moving south, there is a stairwell, mechanical room, and two separate fitness/dance studios. East of these rooms, a hallway connects these spaces. West of these rooms is the aquatics wing open-air space. South of these spaces and central to the building layout is the second-floor lobby which includes lounge area, stairwell and elevators. At the south end of the building there are four multipurpose rooms, a large gender-neutral washroom, and a universal washroom. There is an additional stairwell in the south end of the building.
Second floor site plan featuring fitness/dance studios, multipurpose rooms and lobby and lounge space.
  1. Double gymnasium with:
    1. NCAA basketball court
    2. storage room
    3. locker room
    4. washrooms
  2. Multi-purpose rooms
  3. Storage
  4. Lobby/atrium area with multi-level connectivity
  5. North amenity roof with:
    1. green roof
    2. hardscape terrace
    3. photovoltaic area
    4. seating and event area
    5. fitness/stationary equipment area
    6. outdoor storage area
  6. South amenity roof with:
    1. green roof
    2. hardscape area
  7. Washrooms
  8. Elevators
  9. Stairs

Third Floor

 A plan view of the third floor of the proposed community recreation centre. The northern part of the plan shows the North Terrace Roof which indicates zones for community use which include leisure zones, seating zones and physical activity zones as well as spaces dedicated to building infrastructure showing green roof areas and photovoltaic panels. Within the building we have the Gymnasium which is a double storey space flanked by the corridor to the east and bookended by locker rooms and washrooms to the north and storage rooms to the south. At the south end of the building, we have a smaller roof terrace for leisure activities adjacent to a multipurpose room.
Third floor site plan featuring a gymnasium, multipurpose room and north and south rooftop spaces.
  1. Double gymnasium with:
    1. NCAA basketball court
    2. storage room
    3. locker room
    4. washrooms
  2. Multi-purpose rooms
  3. Storage
  4. Lobby/atrium area with multi-level connectivity
  5. North amenity roof with:
    1. green roof
    2. hardscape terrace
    3. photovoltaic area
    4. seating and event area
    5. fitness/stationary equipment area
    6. outdoor storage area
  6. South amenity roof with:
    1. green roof
    2. hardscape area
  7. Washrooms
  8. Elevators
  9. Stairs

Third Floor Rooftop

A rendered plan view of the Level 3 Green Roof and Amenity Terraces. On the north side is a large roof area. The west side facing the park is a large expanse of extensive green roof planting integrated with photovoltaic cells. The east side facing the city is a large pedestrian terrace with accessible access ramp, fitness area, seating, intensive green roof planting, and a raised wooden viewing platform. On the south side of the building is a smaller terrace with seating and intensive green roof planting.
Third floor rooftop site plan. Features a north roof with a green roof, solar panels and active rooftop space, and a southern roof with active rooftop space and plantings.
  1. Green roof with solar panels
  2. Viewing deck and seating
  3. Flexible gathering space
  4. Wood bench
  5. Intensive planting areas
  6. Outdoor fitness equipment on rubber surface
  7. Ramp and steps into building

Fourth Floor

A plan of the fourth floor illustrating the upper level of the gymnasium. Starting from the north we have the stretching and conditioning area which is separated from the running track that is directly south of this zone by a glass wall. The running track occupies the perimetre edge of the double storey gymnasium and is flanked on one side by a corridor and multistory atrium. South end of the plan has been dedicated to mechanical spaces which are all within the building footprint.
Fourth floor site plan featuring a running track and stretching room.
  1. Two-lane running track
  2. Stretching and conditioning area
  3. Lobby/atrium area with multi-level connectivity
  4. Mechanical area
  5. Washroom
  6. Elevators
  7. Stairs

Darin P. Wybenga, Traditional Knowledge and Land Use Coordinator, Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, provided a summary of Indigenous land use in the vicinity of Wabash Community Recreation Centre, which will be included on signage at the new centre.

Learn about Indigenous Land Use.

This section is organized as follows:

  • What Happened in This Phase
  • Project Vision, Design Principles and Big Moves
  • The Angler Building Placement
  • Community Engagement Meetings and Events

What Happened in This Phase

  • Established a vision, design principles and “Big Moves” (key goals) for the centre’s design.
  • Presented and collected feedback on site design options for the size and placement of the new centre in Sorauren Park. “The Angler” was selected as the site design option to be further refined through continued community engagement.
  • Established and met with the Community Resource Group (CRG), which included representatives from local community organizations. The CRG serves as an advisory body to the project team at key decision points during the community engagement process.
  • Established and met with the Indigenous Advisory Circle to ensure the new centre is welcoming to Indigenous Peoples and uses, and reflects the historic and ongoing presence of Indigenous Peoples.

Project Vision, Design Principles and Big Moves

The following project vision, design principles and big moves will direct the centre’s design moving forward. These were developed and refined based on multiple rounds of community and stakeholder consultation.

Project Vision

The Wabash Community Recreation Centre will be a space where all community members, regardless of income, race, gender, ability, age, culture, housing status, religion, or spoken language can come together, feel welcome, feel belonging and participate in recreation and community-building activities. The social and community-building activities of both the Town Square and Fieldhouse are fundamental to the success of the new Centre and any physical changes to these features will continue to support these activities. The Centre will be physically accessible to all and prioritize environmentally sustainable design by targeting Net-Zero emissions and energy use. The design will recognize the site’s history, from the historic and enduring presence of Indigenous Peoples on the land to the recent industrial history. Multi-season use, multi-functionality and integration between indoor and outdoor spaces will be considered throughout the design to ensure community members have access to flexible and functional spaces they can use for a wide range of activities throughout the year and as the needs of the community change over time.

Design Principles

  1. Physically design spaces to support equitable access for all people, regardless of income, race, gender, ability, age, culture, housing status, religion or spoken language, and to ensure all feel welcome, a sense of belonging and do not experience barriers to participation or access.
  2. Recognize the site’s history and preserve elements of built and cultural heritage. Research and recognize Indigenous presence on the land; consult with Indigenous Peoples on how this is best accomplished. Collaborate with Heritage Preservation Services to retain and restore the chimney and principle facades and any significant heritage elements of the Linseed Oil Factory as required.
  3. Incorporate ambitious Net-Zero emissions (energy) goals and environmentally-progressive design and processes throughout the construction and operations of the new Centre.
  4. Support the community-building activities that the Town Square and Fieldhouse provide, while allowing for physical changes to both.
  5. Incorporate community meeting spaces and the ability to host arts-based uses into multipurpose and outdoor spaces whenever possible.
  6. Design to encourage access through active transportation and transit and providing a limited amount of parking as the site allows.
  7. Ensure integration between the building and the park. Provide integration between indoor and outdoor spaces throughout the year, as weather permits.
  8. Design for the future by building for the recreation needs of a growing and changing community through flexible spaces, integration with future community assets (e.g. connection to the West Toronto Rail Path), climate resilience, advances in technology and emergency-preparedness.

Big Moves

  1. Provide the full community recreation centre program as mandated by Council (indoor pools, gym and multi-purpose spaces), requiring an addition to the existing Linseed Oil Factory.
  2. Connect the recreation centre to the larger site and park by providing integration between indoor and outdoor spaces to support recreation and community activities throughout the year, as weather permits.
  3. Design to maintain and support the social and community-building activities of existing public spaces.
  4. Collaborate with Toronto Heritage Preservation Services to retain and restore the chimney and principle facades and any significant heritage elements of the Linseed Oil Factory as required.
  5. Build a targeted Net Zero Emissions/(Energy) Building.

The Angler Building Placement

Based on community feedback and input from the City’s operational staff, “The Angler” was confirmed as the site design option to be further refined through continued community engagement.

The images and description of the Angler site design option displayed here were presented during community engagement events from spring to summer 2021.

Aerial layout of the Angler Site Design option. The new addition is north and above the existing factory building.
Site plan.
The Angler design option Building Massing and Placement. Top image shows massing view from southwest looking northeast. Bottom image shows massing from Wabash Ave looking northwest. The building is about 4 stories with the new segments located on top and north of the existing factory.
Design plan.

Angler: Building Massing and Placement

  • Building massing is expected to be 4-storeys in height.
  • Aquatic building components to be located at grade and located north of the historical building.
  • Multipurpose and Administrative components to be in the historical building occupying the first storey adjacent the Town Square and second storey.
  • Gymnasium and Running Track to be located on the third and fourth storey and will extend from the historical building to the north over the Aquatic building component.
  • Lobby / Atrium areas will connect the historical and new building addition and serve as a link between the new parking area and the Town Square.

Angler: Relationship with Park

  • Town Square will remain in its current location and will be integrated into the overall development through new hardscaping and park connections.
  • The building mass creates an eastern edge to the Town Square and a transition landscape to the park following the railway corridor.
  • Dogs off-leash area will remain in its current location with a 20 per cent reduction in size.

Fieldhouse structure is not impacted by the proposed building option.

Community Engagement Meetings and Events

August 18, 2021

Local Indigenous Advisory Circle Meeting 2

The purpose of this meeting was to:

  • Provide an update on actions being taken based on member feedback from the last meeting.
  • Gather design suggestions for the new Wabash Community Recreation Centre, to make sure the space is welcoming for Indigenous community members and uses.

A project update was presented followed by a discussion. Discussion questions included:

  • Do you have feedback about “The Angler” preferred building placement option?
  • What features or uses should we consider to make the indoor multi-purpose spaces and outdoor spaces appropriate for Indigenous uses (e.g. events, programs, meetings)?
  • Do you have ideas for how you would like to see art or plantings reflect the Indigenous history of the area or celebrate the continued presence of Indigenous peoples around the site?
  • How can we make the community centre more open and inviting for Indigenous peoples?
  • Do you have any other feedback or questions?

July 2021

Indigenous Youth Engagement

To ensure the centre is designed to be welcoming for Indigenous youth, the project team held an online youth workshop with ENAGB Youth Board Members. The workshop lasted approximately 40 minutes and was hosted online using Google Jamboards, an interactive online platform that allows participants to vote, leave notes and questions throughout the workshop.

Download the ENAGB engagement summary.

Local Youth Engagement

To ensure the centre is designed to be welcoming for local youth, the project team held online youth workshops with two local grade eight classrooms (Fern Avenue Jr. and Sr. Public School and St. Vincent de Paul Catholic School). Each workshop lasted approximately 30 minutes and was hosted online using Google Jamboards, an interactive online platform that allows participants to vote, leave notes and questions throughout the workshop.

Download the youth engagement summary.

June 8, 2021

Community Resource Group (CRG) Meeting 3

The purpose of the meeting was to review and discuss the results of the third phase of engagement and discuss next steps.

Download the:

May 5 to May 31, 2021

Online Survey

Feedback and preferences on various design options was collected in an online survey from May 5 to May 31. The survey received approximately 1,175 responses.

Download the online survey summary.

May 27, 2021

Indigenous Advisory Circle Meeting 1

The goal of the Circle is to ensure the new Wabash Community Recreation Centre is welcoming to Indigenous Peoples and uses and reflects the historic and ongoing presence of Indigenous Peoples. Initial members include representatives from the Treaty Holders, Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and two local Indigenous community members.

The purpose of the first meeting was to:

  • Listen to suggestions about how to ensure the new Wabash Community Recreation Centre is welcoming to Indigenous Peoples and uses, and reflects the historic and ongoing presence of Indigenous Peoples in the area.
  • Share information about the project
  • Answer questions about the project

A project overview was presented followed by a discussion with the Circle members.

May 11, 2021

Virtual Public Meeting

A virtual public meeting was hosted on May 11, 2021, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Staff presented draft site design options and collected community feedback.

Download the:

April 27, 2021

Community Resource Group (CRG) Meeting 2

The purpose of the meeting was to confirm the project vision, design principles and big moves; share and seek feedback on the draft site design option; and provide the project team with constructive feedback and suggestions on the draft materials to be presented at the public meeting.

Download the:

October 5, 2020

Online Survey

Feedback collected through the survey helped the project team refine the project vision, design principles and big moves, which guide the design of the community centre moving forward. The survey closed on October 5, 2020.

Download the online survey summary.

August to October 2020

Conversations with Community Stakeholders

From August to October, the project team held calls with various community stakeholder groups to resume the community engagement process for the new recreation centre, introduce the project team, understand community priorities and interests in regard to this project and share the public engagement process and upcoming public engagement events.

Download the summary of these conversations.

September 28, 2020

Virtual Small Group Discussions

Virtual small group meetings, similar to in-person round-table discussions, took place on September 28, 2020, between 6 p.m. and 8:45 p.m. Participants were able to select a 45-minute time slot to share their thoughts and hear from others.

Download the discussion summary.

September 22, 2020

Virtual Townhall

A virtual townhall took place on September 22 from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Feedback collected through the Townhall helped the project team refine the project vision, design principles and big moves, which guide the design of the community centre moving forward.

Download the

Due to a technical error, a meeting recording is not available. Instead, the written transcript provides a record of the meeting events and the feedback collected.

September 16, 2020

Community Resource Group (CRG) Meeting 1

The purpose of the first meeting was to kick off the Community Resource Group by reviewing and confirming the Draft Terms of Reference, introducing the project and the project team, and by presenting and seeking feedback on the draft proposed vision, design principles and design goals/Big Moves.

Download the meeting summary.

July 10, 2018

Public Meeting and Workshop

City staff hosted a public meeting to introduce the project to the community and to hear initial ideas on potential facility programs/features the community might like to see for the recreation centre. Feedback from this meeting helped to inform the scope of work and hiring of the project’s Consultant Team.

Download a meeting summary.

This section is organized as follows:

  • What Happened in This Phase
  • Draft Preferred Design
  • Community Engagement Meetings and Events

What Happened in This Phase

Presented and collected feedback on a draft preferred design for the new centre.

Draft Preferred Design

The draft preferred design renderings were presented at the start of the Phase B: Exploring Options, to gather feedback from community members about how to further refine these designs.

The use of the colour white in the renderings is a placeholder. Materials and colours will be determined through additional study and discussion.

Community Engagement Meetings and Events

March 2, 2022

Community Resource Group (CRG) Meeting 5

The purpose of the meeting was to present and seek feedback on the developing design for the new centre, which has incorporated feedback from the last round of public consultation.

Download the meeting summary.

November to December 2021

Youth Engagement

Project staff held three youth engagement sessions with:

  • City of Toronto Parkdale Youth Group on November 17
  • Bishop Marrocco/Thomas Merton Catholic Secondary School Grade 9 Students on November 24 and December 3

Download the Youth Engagement summary.

November 3 to 17, 2021

Online Survey

An online survey was available from November 3 to 17, 2021 to collect community feedback on the draft design for the new centre. Hard copies of the survey were available by request. The survey received approximately 670 responses.

Download the survey summary.

November 3, 2021

Virtual Public Meeting

In this fourth virtual public meeting, the design team presented and collected community feedback on a draft design for the new centre.

Watch the meeting recording. Automatic closed captions are available in many languages.

Download the:

October 20, 2021

Local Indigenous Advisory Circle Meeting 3

The purpose of this meeting was to:

  • Provide an update on the design development
  • Work together to develop design elements:
    • Landscape features including potential sacred fire pit and small water feature for ceremony and plantings
    • Potential rooftop features
    • Public art opportunities for the site
    • Interpretative signage or other features
  • Collect input to further develop and refine designs, with a focus on:
    • Community Kitchen
    • Multi-purpose rooms
    • Aquatic and gymnasium spaces
    • Other elements of the design

A project update was presented followed by a discussion about the various design features.

October 14, 2021

Community Resource Group (CRG) Meeting 4

The purpose of the meeting was to present and seek feedback on the developing draft design for the new centre.

Download the:

This final phase of the community engagement process is complete. Engagement with Indigenous communities for Indigenous placekeeping elements in the design is ongoing.

What Happened in This Phase

The final preferred design for the new Community Recreation Centre and surrounding landscape was presented to the local community for a final round of feedback and revisions. Images of the designs presented in this phase are available in the Preferred Design section.

Community Engagement Meetings and Events

Download the Community Engagement Phase C Summary Report, which summarizes information, feedback, and outcomes of the virtual public meeting, online survey, and in-person pop-up events.

A summary of May and June Community Resource Group (CRG) meetings will be posted when available.

July 2023

Virtual Public Meeting

On July 5, the final public meeting was held where the design team presented and collected community feedback on a preferred design for the new centre.

Watch the meeting recording.

June 2023

Online Survey

From June 7 to July 9, an online survey collected community feedback on the preferred design for the new centre. Paper copies of the survey were available by request. The survey received over 350 submissions, with over 725 people participating in those submissions.

In-Person Pop-Up Events

Two pop-up events took place in the park. The first took place on June 19 from 3 to 7 p.m. at the Sorauren Park Farmers Market. The second took place in Sorauren Park near the tennis courts on June 28 from 4 to 8 p.m. At the pop-ups, the project team shared the preferred design and collected feedback from community members. Over 100 community members participated at the pop-ups.

Community Resource Group Meeting 8

On June 14, a virtual Community Rescource Group (CRG) meeting took place where attendance was optional. CRG members provided feedback on the building elements of the preferred design.

Community Resource Group Meeting 7

On June 8, a virtual CRG meeting took place at the request of a CRG member in order to provide feedback on the landscape elements of the preferred design.

May 2023

Community Resource Group Meeting 6

On May 11, a virtual CRG meeting took place where the project team presented and collected feedback on the preferred design. A CRG member requested two additional meetings to provide more detailed feedback so two additional virtual meetings took place on June 8 and on June 14.

Download the meeting summary.

The design of the new Wabash Community Recreation Centre will build on 20 years of planning and consultation work by both City staff and the local community, which has played a strong role in driving this project forward.

The City first identified the Wabash site in a 1999 report as one of five historically under-served areas. The site, including the former Canadian Linseed Oil Mill factory, was purchased by the City in 2000 in order to develop a community recreation centre.

Thanks to the advocacy and fundraising by Friends of Sorauren Park and the local community, several improvements were made to the site, including renovations to the Fieldhouse in 2008 and the construction of the Town Square in 2014.

The City’s 20-year Parks and Recreation Facilities Master Plan again identified the community recreation centre project as a priority for the City, this time specifying that it should include:

  • an indoor pool
  • a gymnasium
  • flexible multi-purpose program spaces

Background and Technical Reports

Over the past 20 years, a number of background and technical reports by third-party consultants were completed to inform the development of the new Wabash Community Recreation Centre. Given changes that have occurred to the neighbourhood and to City policies over time, these reports will be used to inform the new design where findings are still valid and applicable.

Full background and technical reports are not available in an accessible format and are therefore not posted to the project website. Instead, an executive summary of each report is available, with a reformatted and accessible copy of each executive summary also available.

To request a copy of any full report, please contact Ashley Wilson, Senior Project Coordinator, at 416-392-3592.