The Town of Whitby yesterday announced that its proposed Whitby Sports Complex has received council approval to proceed to construction.
Groundbreaking is anticipated to take place later this year, it said.
The process to design and construct the new Whitby Sports Complex reached another important milestone as town council yesterday approved the overall funding and contractor for the facility – the final steps needed before construction of the new sports complex can begin later this year.
The final cost estimate for the construction of the Whitby Sports Complex and outdoor park is approximately $154.9 million, to be funded primarily through Development Charges collected from residential developers, the statement said.
Council also voted July 26 to award the tender for the project to Ledcor Construction Limited, which provided the low bid. The targeted completion date for the Whitby Sports Complex is late 2025.
The amenities planned to be part of the future facility include:
- An aquatic centre with a 25-metre, 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-foot by 190-foot ice pads; and
- Flexible spaces to support community programs, meetings, and arts and cultural activities.
A number of environmental sustainability initiatives incorporated into the facility’s design will make it the first Zero Carbon building and LEED Gold facility in Canada to include a twin pad arena, gymnasium, and aquatics facility, the statement said.
The outdoor park neighbouring the facility is also planned to include pickleball, tennis, and basketball courts; a multi-purpose sports field; a playground; as well as a skatepark and pump track.
“I am very pleased that council has approved the investment necessary to support the construction of the Whitby Sports Complex. Getting this new facility built is a key action item of our new Community Strategic Plan and will help ensure that we can meet the recreational needs of our growing community for years to come. Public input has played a major role in shaping the design for this new facility and I can’t wait to see it come to life as construction unfolds,” said Mayor Elizabeth Roy,
Quick Facts
- The new complex will be located west of Baldwin Street South, south of the intersection of Highway 407.
- More than 2,700 people shared their feedback on the design for the complex. 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 site.
- During recent engagement on the new Community Strategic Plan, residents shared that green spaces, parks, sports facilities and fields are top attributes that make Whitby unique.
For more information on the Whitby Sports Complex project, visit connectwhitby.ca/sportscomplex.