Pickering residents get sneak peek at “transformative” $207 million City Centre project

Pickering residents got an opportunity Monday to see the plans for the city’s ambitious City Centre project that is expected to go to tender this spring.

Most of the key designers, architects and project managers were on hand February 28 for a virtual presentation of the “transformative” proposal to build a performing arts centre, new central library and seniors/youth centre, along with a public ‘piazza’ on lands on the east side of Pickering Town Centre – owned by mall owners Wakefield Properties – and on the south side of The Esplanade on lands owned by the City.

“Our entire community is eagerly awaiting City Centre’s bold transformation – one that’s inspired by world-renowned public spaces and driven by a vision to create a vibrant downtown, said Mayor Dave Ryan.  “As this exciting project unfolds, there will be many opportunities for community engagement, and I encourage residents to participate and have their say in the programming and service delivery of the three new, state-of-the-art municipal facilities.”

Lead architect Peter Clewes (architectsAlliance), who has been working on the project for most of the past four years, called it the “most extraordinary initiative” in the city’s history.

Clewes was joined by fellow architects Rob Cadeau and Sanja Janjanin and project managers George Buckles (twopoint partners inc,) and Bruno Bartel (Cushman & Wakefield) in making presentations on the details of project, as well as making themselves available for questions from councillors.

The $207 million project is expected to be financed primarily through casino payments from the Pickering Casino & Resort (which opened last July after much COVID-related delays) with some $3.6 million funded via reserve funds.

The casino has so far delivered more than $5.5 million in non-tax gaming revenue for the city over the last two quarters. That number should nearly double as casinos have now returned to 100 per cent capacity.

To watch the meeting, go to https://www.youtube.com/user/SustainablePickering – (Special Meeting of Council – Education & Training)