The City of Toronto has kicked off construction of a new downtown recreation centre.

Deputy Mayor Ana Bailão and Rafael Lazar, Chief Executive Officer for site developer Almadev announced details for the revitalized Wallace Emerson community recreation centre and park and a new child-care centre on July 8.

The project calls for the doubling in size of the current recreation centre – to around 89,500 square feet. The updated facility will feature a new, larger child-care centre, a full-size gym with a running track, dance and aerobic studios, an aquatic centre, and an outdoor running track on the roof of the building.

Construction of the new facility and phase one of park improvements has already begun on portions of the site as part of the Reimagine Galleria Development plan. Construction is expected to be completed in 2025.

“Every aspect of the Wallace Emerson community recreation centre, park and child care centre design puts residents and users of these facilities first,” said Toronto Mayor John Tory. “I look forward to watching each phase unfold, and seeing a final product that encourages greater interaction and participation by community members of all ages.”

In keeping with the city’s TransformTO Net Zero Strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the building will feature a series of energy-efficiency measures, including a high-performance building envelope, high-efficiency heat pumps, solar photovoltaic panels, and LED light fixtures.

In addition to the new community recreation facility, Wallace Emerson Park itself will be revitalized and expanded. The park area will increase by about 1.25 acres.

The first phase of park improvements will feature a BMX/skateboard park, skating trail, leisure/shinny pad that can be used as a multipurpose sports court in the summer with basketball hoops, splash pad, new landscaping, pathways, lighting, custom seating and outdoor furniture.

The first phase will also include a new field house for visitors that includes a snack bar, skate sharpening station, changing area and universal washrooms, and storage and utility spaces.

Together, Wallace Emerson Park, community centre and child care centre form a critical component of developers Almadev’s larger Galleria on the Park master-planned community.

At 20 acres, the project aims to transform the existing 1970’s Galleria Shopping Centre, and will include the new Park and Community Centre, along with eight mixed-use buildings encompassing nearly 2,900 condominium residences, 150 affordable rental units and approximately 300,000 square feet of retail.

Phase one of the community is comprises mixed-use towers, Galleria 01 and 02, which broke ground in 2020. The towers include 150 affordable rental units, condominium residences and 40,000 square feet of commercial space.

“This is a momentous milestone for our Galleria on the Park master-planned community,” said Lazar. “Vibrant public amenities and quality green space have always been central to our vision, and we are grateful for our partnership with the City of Toronto in making this a reality. We look forward to seeing this community become a destination in Toronto.”

The Wallace Emerson Community and Child Care Centre has been designed by internationally recognized architecture firm Perkins&Will. The firm has designed some of the GTA’s most prolific community facilities, including the Aaniin Community Centre and Library in Markham and the Albion Library in Etobicoke.