Whitby Town Council has unanimously approved the final design concept for the new Whitby Sports Complex to be built on the west side of Baldwin Street South.
Construction on the new facility is expected to begin in summer 2023, with the complex anticipated to open in fall 2025, said a town statement.
The concept design was developed based on feedback collected from more than 2,700 people last spring – one of the town’s largest community engagements to date. The amenities now anticipated to be part of the future facility include:
- An aquatic centre with a 10-lane pool, separate leisure pool and 2nd floor spectator viewing area – which will make the Whitby Sports Complex home to the largest pool in Durham Region;
- A double gymnasium, with three-lane indoor walking track;
- A twin-pad arena with 85’ by 190’ ice pads;
- Flexible spaces to support community programs, meetings, and arts and cultural activities; and,
- Space for outdoor recreational opportunities – such as a pump track and skateboard park; pickleball, tennis and basketball courts; multi-use sports field; and playground and water play area.
Together, these amenities will help to achieve the town’s vision for the complex: to create a multi-purpose gathering space for inclusive sport and community programming – a place for residents of all ages and abilities to connect, play and get active, said the statement.
Quick Facts
- Whitby’s population is expected to grow by approximately 40% over the next 11 years.
- The new complex will be located on the west side of Baldwin Street South, south of the intersection of Highway 407.
- Last year, more than 2,700 people shared their feedback on three possible design concepts for the complex through an online survey and four virtual engagement sessions. Feedback collected showed strong support for a flexible, active and connected complex design, with a community desire for more outdoor, aquatics and gymnasium space at the facility. View the full results of the survey in Attachment 2 of Staff Report CMS 09-21.
- To align with council’s strategic vision on climate change, a variety of environmental sustainability initiatives will be explored during the design process for the complex including the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold and Zero Carbon Building (ZCB) Certifications.