Ontario Construction News staff writer
The construction of Whitby’s biggest recreation project is almost finished, with the Town now taking ownership of the new Fieldgate Sports Complex as teams and municipal staff enter the final phase before its opening in September.
This $154.9-million recreation facility was built by Ledcor Construction Ltd., which received the contract from Whitby Council in 2023. The architectural design was handled by Perkins& Will.
We’ve moved from major construction to commissioning and getting ready for operations. Staff will now be testing systems, installing equipment and furnishings, training employees, and completing final activities to ensure readiness before opening to the public.
The arenas will be the first areas of the complex to open, kicking off with the Ontario Lacrosse Festival starting on July 31. Other sections of the facility will stay closed while finishing touches and preparations are made.
An official grand opening is planned for September 12.
“The Fieldgate Sports Complex is a once-in-a-generation investment in our community’s future and priority action coming out of Whitby’s Community Strategic Plan,” Mayor Elizabeth Roy said. “Today’s handover represents years of planning, collaboration, and community input coming together. We are excited to soon start welcoming residents through the doors of this incredible new facility and see the lasting impact it will have on our community.”
This project started as the Whitby Sports Complex and has been in development for several years. In 2022, Council approved an expanded design that increased the budget to support a larger recreation program. Perkins& Will was chosen for both architectural design and park design.
In July 2023, Council awarded Ledcor with the construction contract for both the community centre building and park development. The approved contract amount was around $125.7 million, including provisional prices before taxes. The revised overall estimate at that time was about $154.9 million.
The facility spans 160,000 square feet located on Baldwin Street South’s west side, just south of Highway 407.
It features a twin-pad arena, a competition pool measuring 25 metres with ten lanes, a double gymnasium complete with a walking track, plus flexible spaces for community events and cultural activities. The adjacent 13-acre park will have pickleball courts, basketball courts, a pump track, skateboard park, sports field along with other outdoor amenities.
This complex is also being developed with sustainability goals aiming for LEED Gold certification along with Zero Carbon Building standards. Hundreds of solar panels have been installed as part of its eco-friendly strategy.
<p“Now that we’ve completed handing over this facility, we’ll focus on preparing everything for opening,” Chief Administrative Officer Matt Gaskell said. “In the upcoming weeks, staff will test systems out again while moving into their new workspaces ensuring residents have an inviting experience from their first step inside.”
The Fieldgate name comes from a separate agreement worth $1.5 million over ten years between the Town and Fieldgate Land Development who sponsors this facility but wasn’t involved in its construction.
During the Ontario Lacrosse Festival only arenas will be available; other areas like aquatics centre gymnasium walking track outdoor amenities will remain closed until final construction work equipment installations training efforts are wrapped up!
The project aims to reach another important milestone on September 12 when Whitby celebrates an official grand opening event for this brand-new complex!
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