The ageing Greenwood Community Centre in north Pickering will remain standing until late next year, as the city waits for its $65 million replacement facility to be fully completed and operational.
City officials confirmed that demolition of the older building will not proceed until the new Dorsay Community & Heritage Centre, located just a few hundred metres away at the Pickering Museum Village, is ready to open. The new facility is expected to welcome the public in spring 2026.
The Greenwood Community Centre, originally built in 1970, is considered to be in poor condition. According to the city, the building no longer meets modern accessibility standards and performs inefficiently in terms of energy use due to its age and construction.
At a recent council meeting, Pickering Council approved a remediation and demolition plan, awarding a contract to Barry Bryan Associates for professional consulting services related to the project. The selected proposal came in at just under $61,000, contributing to a total project cost of approximately $149,000, which also includes permits, approvals, surveys, testing, and inspections.
City staff assured councillors that all user groups currently relying on the Greenwood facility will be accommodated at alternative locations until the new centre officially opens.
The Dorsay Community & Heritage Centre, which carries a $1 million, 15-year naming rights agreement with a local developer, will feature a wide range of amenities, including an exhibit gallery, multi-purpose hall, public-program kitchen, Library Express Kiosk, local history experience centre, collections storage, gift shop, and outdoor program spaces.
Designed with distinctive architecture and a scenic setting, the new centre will also be available for private rentals such as weddings, celebrations, and corporate events. City officials say it is intended to serve as a cultural and social hub for residents in Pickering’s growing northern neighbourhoods, fostering community connection and local heritage.
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