The Town of Whitby is taking the next step towards the creation of a new Whitby Civic Centre that would serve as an innovative and sustainable community hub for all.
The current Whitby Civic Centre is a 13-acre site located at 575 Rossland Road East that includes Town Hall, Civic Centre Park, and the Whitby Civic Recreation Complex. Two design options have been created for a new Civic Centre that would include each of these elements, as well as new event space, recreational opportunities, and amenities to improve the visitor experience.
Now through Monday, September 23, the community can have their say on the two design options, as well as the amenities they would like considered for the new centre, by completing a short online survey at whitby.ca/civiccentre.
Design Option A envisions a new Town Hall building coupled with the conversion of the existing municipal building into community space.
Design Option B envisions the renovation and expansion of the existing Town Hall. The concepts were created based on the vision and guiding principles outlined in the Council-approved Whitby Civic Centre Master Plan.
“This is an opportunity to transform our Whitby Civic Centre into a true community destination – a place where residents can relax, connect and play,” said Mayor Don Mitchell. “A new Centre would also help ensure that Town staff can continue to meet the needs of our growing and changing community in the most efficient and effective way.”
In addition to the online survey, residents are invited to attend a Community Open House being held at Town Hall (575 Rossland Road East) on Tuesday, September 17, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
“From the start of this project we’ve known that a new Whitby Civic Centre needed to do more than simply provide a place for Town staff to work,” said Matthew Gaskell, Chief Administrative Officer. “The design concepts proposed for the new Centre would help improve the visitor experience and create a community hub for all, while inspiring new and innovative ways for us to better serve our community.”
Following the closing of the online survey, feedback will be consolidated in order to report back to council with the final results and a recommended design with which to proceed. If approved, construction on the site could begin as early as 2021.