The area surrounding Bessarion subway station on Sheppard Avenue East could be a bit more active in years to come.
Coun. David Shiner said there is plenty of excitement for a new multi-use community centre and park that would provide a great deal to his constituents.
“It’s a phenomenal project that the people of Willowdale have waited [on] for a long time,” Shiner said.
On March 18, the City of Toronto and representatives from MacLennan Jaunkalns Miller Architects met with the com-munity to discuss initial plans for the lot.
Senior project manager Douglas Giles, of the City of Toronto, Parks, Forestry & Recreation, Parks Development & Capital Projects, said, if all goes well, ground would be broken in the spring of 2016.
Giles said that building size has yet to be determined; however, it will house two pools, a new public library branch, a full gymnasium, multi-use office space and a child care facility space. As for the parkland, Shiner said it will be a combination of passive and active use. Plans for the outdoor space do include a water park that will be convertible for winter rinks, sports fields, a toboggan hill and the possibility of a maze.
Among other current projects, MacLennan Jaunkalns Miller Architects is also responsible for the 2015 Pan Am Games’ community sports facility and the Regent Park Aquatic Centre.