The City of Pickering has announced that it will pause the Seaton Recreation Complex & Library (SRCL) project due to current financial and economic uncertainties.
At a Special council meeting held on April 22, Pickering Council received report CAO 05-25, which recommended that the SRCL project be paused until an update can be provided in Q4 this year. According to the city, the design development phase of the project has been paused in light of inflationary pressures, interest rate uncertainty, and escalating construction costs.
“The proposed Seaton Recreation Complex & Library (SRCL) is the largest capital project in the city’s history with a current estimated cost of $241.4M.” The facility was to include a twin pad arena, eight lane lap pool, separate leisure pool, indoor walking track, indoor aquatics centre, triple gymnasium, fitness centre, multi-purpose program rooms, outdoor amenities, and a new library,” said a city report.
“The current funding strategy includes about 97.62 per cent from various debt instruments,” the city noted in its report. It also stated that if the project were to proceed with construction in 2026, the city would likely exceed the provincially-legislated Annual Repayment Limit by 2032.
Other factors considered in the decision included the “ongoing tariff war between Canada and the United States,” which could have an economic impact on municipalities.
The city added that the design development process will remain paused “until an update report with a consolidated base program schematic design concept, updated financial information and recommendations for the Seaton Recreation Complex & Library project is brought back to council in Q4.”
Pickering conducted extensive public engagement during the design phase, with feedback gathered from over 1,700 participants through surveys, pop-up events, and stakeholder consultations. The city emphasized that the pause will provide time to reevaluate priorities and ensure fiscal responsibility while continuing to support high-quality infrastructure and services for residents.