Pickering Mayor Kevin Ashe is looking back on a year marked by major infrastructure projects, notable achievements, and ongoing challenges as the city continues to grow.
At the end of 2024, Ashe outlined several priorities for 2025. A year later, some have been completed, others are progressing, and a few remain works in progress.
One of the most anticipated projects, the Dorsay Community & Heritage Centre, is nearing completion. Formerly known as the Pickering Heritage and Community Centre, construction remains on schedule and the facility is expected to open by April 1, 2026. Ashe said the centre will replace the aging Greenwood community centre and will house the city’s archives, expanded library services, and new community spaces. The project was made possible with $17 million in federal funding.
The city’s long-standing goal of purchasing Frenchman’s Bay also moved forward in 2025. Pickering has budgeted for the purchase, secured provincial support, and finalized a purchase agreement with the Pickering Harbour Company. While federal funding has not yet been confirmed, Ashe said discussions with Ottawa have been productive, and the city hopes to complete the purchase by Canada Day 2026.
Progress was also made on the Seaton Recreation Complex and Library, Pickering’s largest infrastructure project to date. While design approval was delayed after council paused the project due to rising costs, councillors voted in October to proceed at a revised cost of $266 million. The facility will include two hockey rinks, three gyms, a library, and an indoor aquatics centre, allowing for renovations at the Chestnut Hill Developments Recreation Complex.
Development in Pickering’s downtown also continued. While the City Centre Park did not advance as quickly as planned, construction has begun on the first residential towers at the former Sears site at Pickering Town Centre. Park design work is ongoing, with construction now expected to begin in late 2026 or early 2027.
Ashe also highlighted the province’s decision to refurbish the Pickering Nuclear Generating Station, rather than shut it down. Refurbishment of Units 6, 7, and 8 is scheduled to begin in 2027 following shutdowns in 2026. The $24-billion project is expected to create up to 12,000 jobs and provide clean, carbon-free electricity to more than two million homes.
Another milestone in 2025 was the opening of the Porsche Experience Centre Toronto, which Ashe said added momentum to Pickering’s tourism sector. He hopes the nearby LaunchPad Golf facility will open in 2026.
The year also marked Pickering’s 25th anniversary as a city, celebrated throughout 2025 as downtown development and residential growth continued.
However, Ashe acknowledged ongoing tensions within city council. Sanctions imposed on Coun. Lisa Robinson following multiple integrity commissioner reports remained unresolved in 2025, contributing to continued friction among council members.
Despite the challenges, Ashe said Pickering is evolving rapidly and positioning itself for long-term growth.
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