Scarborough, ON — The City of Toronto broke ground on its first net-zero community centre at the North East Scarborough Community Recreation and Child Care Centre.
“The new North East Community and Child Care Centre is a City of Toronto facility of the future. This centre will help us meet Toronto’s goal of becoming a net-zero city while providing more child care opportunities for families in Scarborough. We are proud to deliver a state-of-the-art community centre and gathering place that specifically meets the needs of the very diverse neighbourhoods that surround it,” said John Tory, mayor of Toronto.
A groundbreaking ceremony was held on April 17, where Michael Thompson, Toronto’s deputy mayor, and Jennifer McKelvie, councillor for Scarborough-Rouge Park, ceremonially got their shovels dirty.Due to the burning of fossil fuels, buildings are the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) in Toronto. As a result, the city council adopted the TransformTO Net Zero Strategy with a target to reduce GHG emissions in Toronto to net-zero by 2040, which included reducing emissions from city operations— primarily buildings, including new ones and retrofitting existing buildings.
The centre aims to achieve the Canadian Green Building Council’s Zero Carbon Building Certification. The new recreation centre will feature innovative strategies to eliminate the use of fossil fuels. Upon completion, the facility will be powered entirely by electricity, using a mix of solar photovoltaic panels on its roof and facade and a parking lot canopy. The centre will also utilize air handling units, which will improve heat recovery efficiency by 85 per cent.
Outdoor green design is another significant component of the project’s vision. In addition to the building featuring a biodiverse green roof terrace, Joyce Trimmer Park will be revitalized with new landscaping and park amenities. The landscape design will include planting 96 trees and native plant species to improve surrounding green space and surface water drainage.
Joyce Trimmer Park will also feature a skateboard park, mini soccer field, basketball court, playground, splash pad, ample outdoor seating, a gathering area, and public artwork.
“I look forward to welcoming the city’s first net-zero greenhouse gas emission community centre to Scarborough – Rouge Park. The centre will bring long-awaited recreational programming and child care to our community while also helping the city reach its net-zero target by 2040,” said McKelvie.
Visual rendering of the indoor track and gymnasium at the new North East Scarborough Community Recreation & Child Care Centre.Construction on the centre is anticipated to be completed by the end of 2024. During this time, Joyce Trimmer Park will be temporarily closed to the public.
The lead contractor on the project is Aquicon Construction Company Ltd.