Markham
November 20, 2008 08:48 PM
Partnership touted as first in Canada
Keely Grasser
Markham residents and visitors and staff of Markham Stouffville Hospital alike will soon be enjoying state-of-the art amenities at a new community centre.
Mayor Frank Scarpitti, along with project architects, presented plans for the centre, which will be built beside the hospital in the next few years, at a community forum at the hospital on Nov. 17.
“We need more recreation facilities in the town of Markham,” Mr. Scarpitti said, adding that council has listened to what residents want in a new facility.
8-lane poolHighlights of the new community centre will include a triple gymnasium, an eight-lane, 25-metre pool with spectator seating for competitions, a splash pad, a therapeutic pool and a library with a medical research area attached, he said.
There will also be community rooms including a rehearsal hall, fitness centre with a full track, an indoor playground and a Snoezelen room, a multi-sensory area used for therapeutic purposes for people with sensory and other disabilities.
Architects presented preliminary designs for the centre, which will front on Bur Oak Avenue and connect to the hospital.
The architects also explained some proposed energy-efficient and green building techniques that may be used, including using Markham District Energy for heating and cooling, grey water recovery systems, natural day lighting and recycled building components.
Mr. Scarpitti outlined some of the ways hospital patients, visitors and staff will be able to use the amenities.
Hospital CEO and president Janet Beed said the hospital’s use of the community centre will fill in some of the traditional off-hours at the facility, such as in the midday.
The partnership is being touted as the first of its kind in Canada.
The yet-to-be-named centre’s construction will begin in late 2009, with projected a projected opening in 2012, Mr. Scarpitti said.
The current price tag is estimated at $70 million.