Construction is underway. During construction, the west side of Wallace Emerson Park will be closed to the public. A temporary entrance to the east side of the park is available from the Floyd Street laneway. A map of the closure and temporary entry point is available in the Project Updates section.

As part of the Reimagine Galleria Master Plan, Wallace Emerson Community Recreation Centre and Wallace Emerson Park will undergo a revitalization and expansion in order to offer the community a more functional and inviting public space to gather for fun and play.

While we aim to provide fully accessible content, there is no text alternative available for some of the content on this site. If you require alternate formats or need assistance understanding our maps, drawings, or any other content, please contact John Keen at 416-395-7898.

  • Spring to Winter 2020: Design and approvals
  • Winter 2022: Hire a construction team
  • June 2022: Construction starts
  • Fall 2025: Construction complete

The timeline is subject to change.

Community engagement took place between 2018 and 2019 and was essential when developing the plan for improvements for the community centre and park. A variety of consultation activities provided diverse opportunities for people to provide feedback. The City collected feedback through open houses, working group meetings, site walks, pop-up events and focus groups.

Visit the Project Updates section for a summary of the public engagement process.

February 2024

Construction Update

Construction for the community centre continues. Construction for the final foundation and tie-in of the pool area to the south area of the building is nearing completion. Work at the gymnasium, level two and level three, and wall framing and boarding at the child care centre is ongoing. Fieldhouse masonry, structural steel and metal deck work is complete, and roofing preparations for the exterior work continue. Structural steel installation in the north area of the main structure will start in February, along with metal deck installation in the south area.

An aerial photograph of the construction site at Wallace Emersion Community Centre on February 3, 2024, which focuses on the community centre while under construction in the foreground and the adjacent Fieldhouse in the background. The community recreation structure is two-storeys partially enclosed with walls. The ground-level of the Fieldhouse is enclosed with an unfinished roof.

January 2024

Construction Update

Construction for the community centre continues and the final foundation construction is underway at the main building. The tie-in of the pool area to the south area of the building structure continues, with backfilling of foundation walls to follow. Work at the gymnasium, level two and level three is progressing. The first window frame has been installed for the Fieldhouse and roofing preparations for the exterior work are underway. Wall framing and boarding at the child care centre is ongoing. The underground rainwater tank is completed. Ice trail mechanical equipment delivery is scheduled for January 2024.

An aerial photograph of the construction site at Wallace Emersion Community Centre on January 7, 2024, which focuses on the community centre while under construction and the adjacent Fieldhouse. The community recreation structure is two-storeys with vertical beams being installed to the future third floor. The ground-level of the Fieldhouse is enclosed with an unfinished roof. The entire area is covered in a think layer of snow.

December 2023

Construction Update

Construction for the community centre continues and a winter enclosure at the ground level has been constructed. The final waterproofing and backfilling around the pool area is nearly completed and the tie-in of the pool area to the south area of the building structure continues. Steel installation at the gymnasium, level two and level three is progressing. The structure steel, masonry, and metal deck installation for the Fieldhouse is completed and additional exterior work is underway. Wall framing at the child care centre is ongoing. The underground rainwater tank is nearly completed.

An aerial photograph of the construction site at Wallace Emersion Community Centre on December 3, 2023, which focuses on the community centre while under construction and the adjacent Fieldhouse. The community recreation structure is two-storeys with vertical beams being installed to the future third floor. The ground-level of the Fieldhouse is enclosed with an unfinished roof.

October 2023

Construction Update

Construction for the community centre continues and site service installations, like storm sewers, is ongoing. The final foundation walls at the pool mechanical basement are nearly completed, and backfilling and waterproofing of the foundation walls has started. The tie-in of the pool area to the south area of the building structure is underway and the dewatering systems will be decommissioned once this work is completed. Steel installation at the main community centre is ongoing and the gymnasium with an elevated running track overlooking the court is taking shape. The structure steel installation for the Fieldhouse is nearly completed and the metal deck roof has been installed. The underground rainwater tank is anticipated to be installed in early 2024.

An aerial photograph of the construction site at Wallace Emersion Community Centre on October 7, 2023, which focuses on the community centre while under construction and the adjacent Fieldhouse. The community recreation structure is two-storeys with vertical beams being installed to the future third floor. The Fieldhouse is at ground-level with concrete walls and steel structural beams.

September 2023

Construction Update

Construction for the community centre continues. The final foundation walls at the pool mechanical basement are underway and site service installations, like storm sewers, is ongoing. The south portion of the Community Centre structure will get its structural steel soon. The gymnasium with a running track overlooking the court is starting to take shape. The concrete sub-floor for the child care centre has been poured and masonry work to the interior walls is underway. Fieldhouse masonry work is nearing completion and the structural steel installation continues. Site dewatering will be decommissioned when the final underground structures are completed and backfilled (late September).

An aerial photograph of the construction site at Wallace Emersion Community Centre on September 10, 2023, which focuses on the community centre while under construction and the adjacent Fieldhouse. The community recreation structure is one-storey with vertical beams being installed to the future third floor. The Fieldhouse is at ground-level with concrete walls and steel structural beams.

July 2023

Construction Update

Construction for the community centre continues and excavations at the main community centre structure is complete. The final underground structures at the pool mechanical basement is underway. The second floor is progressing with installation of the concrete structure at the south portion, including vertical pillars that will connect to the third floor. The Fieldhouse slab will be installed at ground level soon and the mechanical and electrical rough-ins are installed. Site dewatering is ongoing and the underground rainwater tank is anticipated to be installed in early 2024.

An aerial photograph of the construction site at Wallace Emersion Community Centre on July 2, 2023, which focuses on the community centre while under construction and the adjacent Fieldhouse. The community recreation structure is one-storey with vertical beams being installed to the future third floor. The Fieldhouse is at ground-level ready for concrete pouring.

June 2023

Construction Update

Construction for the community centre continues and excavations at the main community centre structure is near completion. Installation of the structure footings, foundations, columns, and stairwells continues. The second concrete slab for the second floor has been poured and pool work is progressing. The Fieldhouse footings and foundation walls have been waterproofed and the mechanical and electrical rough-ins installed. The concrete slab at ground-level will be poured soon.

An aerial photograph of the construction site at Wallace Emersion Community Centre on June 4, 2023, which focuses on the community centre while under construction and the adjacent Fieldhouse. The community recreation structure is one-storey with concrete columns and a concrete slab and the Fieldhouse is at ground-level with a concrete slab.

May 2023

Construction Update

Construction for the community centre continues with installation of the structure footings, foundations, columns, and stairwells. Forming and rough-ins work on the second floor south area is underway and the first concrete slab for the second floor has been poured. The Fieldhouse footings and foundation walls are being waterproofed and the mechanical and electrical rough-ins work and backfill is underway.

Concrete pouring for the swimming pool and pool area is planned for Friday, May 19, 2023, and as a result, the crane lights near the centre of the construction site will be on late into the evening.

An aerial photograph of the construction site at Wallace Emersion Community Centre on May 6, 2023, which focuses on the community centre while under construction and a large crane over the site. The structure is one-storey with concrete columns, construction scaffolding and materials throughout.

An aerial photograph of the construction site at Wallace Emersion Community Centre on May 6, 2023, which shows a large crane at the centre of the construction site and construction equipment. The community centre structure under construction is show just south of Dupont Street.

March 2023

Construction Update

Site work continues with excavation for the main community center nearing completion. The building structure work, including footings, foundations, columns, and stairwells is underway. The Fieldhouse footings are completed and the mechanical and electrical rough-ins work is underway.

An aerial photograph of the construction site at Wallace Emersion Community Centre on March 4, 2023, which shows a large crane and multiple excavators and construction equipment. A thin layer of snow covers the construction area and surrounding residential homes.

February 2023

Construction Update

Tree protection zones are installed. Dewatering work continues. Ongoing work includes site clearing and removal of contaminated soil. Excavation at the main community centre structure is near completion and the installation of the footings, foundations, columns, and stairwell is underway. Work to the Fieldhouse footing and foundation continues.

An aerial photograph of the construction site at Wallace Emersion Community Centre on in February 5, 2023, which shows a large crane and multiple excavators and construction equipment. The construction area is predominantly flat, with soil and sand throughout. A thin layer of snow covers the construction area and surrounding residential homes.

January 2023

Construction Update

Tree protection zones are installed. Dewatering work is underway. Ongoing work includes site clearing and removal of contaminated soil, and excavation, footing, foundations, columns and stairwell structure at the main community centre structure. Work to the Fieldhouse footing and foundation walls is underway.

An aerial photograph of the construction site at Wallace Emersion Community Centre on in January 7, 2023, which shows a large crane and multiple excavators and construction equipment. The construction area is predominantly flat, with soil and sand throughout

December 2022

Construction Update

Tree protection zones are installed. Dewatering and Fieldhouse footing, forming, and concrete pouring is set to start. Ongoing work includes site clearing and removal of contaminated soil, excavation and footing forming and concrete pouring at the main community centre structure.

An aerial photograph of the construction site at Wallace Emersion Community Centre on December 3, 2022, which shows a large crane and multiple excavators and construction equipment. The construction area is predominantly flat, with soil and sand throughout.

November 2022

Construction Update

Crane installation is complete and the tree protection zones are in place.

Ongoing work includes dewatering system installation, site cleaning and removal of contaminated soil, layout and excavations at the Fieldhouse and community centre. Forming and pouring the concrete footings at the community centre has begun.

October 2022

Construction Update

Construction site fencing and crane pad installation are complete. Excavation, soil removal work, tree removals, and dewatering system installation are underway. Upcoming construction work includes crane installation, the layout and excavation of the future fieldhouse building and forming the below-ground slabs and footings.

An aerial photo taken from above by a drone of the construction site at Wallace Emerson Park. The image shows construction equipment, cars and trucks at the project site, with small flat areas that have been excavated in preparation for below ground construction. Residential homes line the perimeter of the construction site.

An aerial photo facing east taken by a drone of the construction site at Wallace Emerson Park which shows the excavation occurring parallel to Dupont Street. Large mounds of dirt and yellow cranes are shown and the surrounding residential homes which border the fenced off construction site.

August 2022

Park Access Update

A temporary entrance to the east side of the park from the Floyd Street laneway has been created to allow for public access to the park. Residents should note that this access point is not accessible for people using mobility devices due to the curb and slope.

Image of the fenced entrance to the park from the Floyd Street laneway near the east side of the park.

July 2022

Park Access

Map of Wallace Emerson Park with a red border indicating the construction area that is currently closed to public access. Site A of the construction area spans from Dupont St south to Floyd St laneway, and includes the entire west side of the park. Site B identifies the laneway between Parthenon Street and Emerson Avenue. No access to Wallace Emerson Park will be available at the Site B laneway, or the south west corner of the park at Floyd St laneway. Site C identifies a small portion of the south-east site of the construction site that will allow temporary access to the east side of the park during construction. This Site and entrance will be closed to the public toward the end of the construction period to allow for the completion of this portion of the park.

The City recognizes that access to Wallace Emerson Park via Emerson Avenue is important to the community and staff have identified a temporary alternative entry point through the east-end of the Floyd Street laneway. Staff are still working through some details about how to make the ground level to allow for safe passage through this entry point and we will share an update this week. We expect this entry point to be open for use by mid-August. Once the project is nearing completion, staff will need to close off this temporary entry point to allow for work to be completed in this portion of the park (Site C).

The laneway between Parthenon Street and Emerson Avenue (Site B) will be open during most of the construction period. The community will be notified of any construction-related closures of this area in advance.

June 2022

Construction Starts

During construction, the BMX park and basketball court (located within Site A in the following map) will be closed for construction. The soccer goalposts will be relocated outside of the construction area and will continue to be available for public use.
The laneway between Parthenon Street and Emerson Avenue (Site B) will be open during most of the construction period. The community will be notified of any construction-related closures of this area in advance.

September 2020

The design development is complete and the project enters construction procurement. A full construction schedule will be available once a general contractor is hired.

Summer 2019

Open House

An open house took place in September 2019  to provide the community with an update on the Galleria Mall, the Wallace Emerson Park and Community Centre, and the planned work for the first phase of the mixed-use redevelopment of Galleria on the Park.

Winter 2019

Online Survey

From January 24 to February 6, 2019, feedback on the location and conceptual design of the future BMX/Skateboarding facility was collected in an online survey.

Fall 2018

Open House

On October 30, 2018, an open house took place to present the proposed design and the Phase 1 Park Master Plan, which was refined based on the feedback received through the spring and summer of 2018.

Summer 2018

Open House

On July 18, 2018, an open house took place to present the draft Park Master Plan and proposed design for the community centre and the child care centre. Approximately 50 community members attended the, which included small roundtable discussions to gather feedback on the proposed designs.

Youth Summer Camp Sessions

On August 1, 2018, engagement sessions were held in partnership with the Wallace Emerson Community Centre summer camp to get input from over 70 children ages four to 14.

Pop-Up Events

On August 1, 2018, two pop-up stalls were staffed at the existing community centre and park to engage with visitors and park users. The purpose of the pop-ups was to promote the project and raise awareness of the draft Park Master Plan and proposed designs and gather community feedback.

Surveys

From August 1 to September 3, 2018, two online surveys (a park-specific survey and a community centre-specific survey) were made available on the Reimagine Galleria project website and were distributed to the project email list. The Park Survey focused on preferred amenities and activities within the park and received a total of 43  responses.  The Community Centre Survey focused on amenities offered in the new community centre features and programming, and received 14 responses.

Senior Focus Groups

On September 14, 2018, two focus groups took place to engage seniors who regularly gather in the Ambrico Room of the community centre. 18 seniors participated in the two sessions, which included an informal presentation and discussion period.

Spring 2018

Open House

On April 26 and May 22, 2018, open houses took place to collect community feedback on their vision, ideas and aspirations for the project. The open houses were three hours each and began with an optional walking tour of the site. In total, over 225 community members attended both events and 45 participated in the optional walking tours. Feedback from these events will be used to prepare a draft of a Park Master Plan and design for the community centre and child care centre.

Some of the comments and suggestions gathered included:

  • placing the community centre at the southwest corner of the site to allow for more space
  • adding a fence between the park and laneway for more safety
  • amenities such as bike lanes and trails, a community garden, senior fitness classes and more.

Wallace Emerson Community Recreation Centre and Wallace Emerson Park are being revitalized as part of the Reimagine Galleria Master Plan. To cultivate a strong community identity, the new design of the Community Recreation Centre and surrounding park have been developed based on the shared experiences, activities and memories of the community.

The project will include a partial renovation of the existing Wallace Emerson Park with added features and amenities as well as a complete renewal of the existing Community Recreation Centre and a new child care facility.

Wallace Emerson Community Recreation Centre will be completely revitalized. The new 89,500 sq. ft. facility will feature a colourful calendar of community events, recreation programming and will include a new 62 space Child Care Centre. It will also include:

  • An aquatic centre
  • A gym facility and running track
  • An Outdoor running track on the roof of the facility
  • Dance and aerobics studios
  • An open fitness area
  • Multi-purpose rooms, kitchen and kitchenettes
  • A Main lobby, common spaces and administration areas
  • Change rooms, storage areas and washrooms

The existing Community Recreation Centre will not be closed during the construction of the new centre. It will shut down and be demolished only after recreation programming has been transferred to the new centre.

The new Child Care Centre will be attached to the Community Recreation Centre. The centre will be designed as an inclusive play environment that will accommodate 32 preschoolers, 20 toddlers and 10 infants and include various outdoor play areas.

The improvements to Wallace Emerson Park are a combination of renovating the existing park, a land swap, and an expansion of new parkland. Overall, the park will increase in size from 2.66 ha (6.58 acres) to 3.16 ha (7.81 acres) and will be delivered in two phases. Phase two will be delivered separately after the completion of phase one.

Partial closure of the park will be required during the construction of the first phase. The following amenities located on the west side of the park will not be available for use: basketball court, drinking fountain, BMX Park, and walkway connection to Floyd Street. The existing multi-purpose field will be reduced in size in order for it to be available for use during construction.

The first phase of the park improvements will open at the same time as the new Community Recreation Centre and will feature:

  • A new fieldhouse which will include
    • A snack bar and kitchen
    • A skate sharpening station
    • A changing area, accessible and universal washrooms
    • Storage spaces
    • Utility spaces to service the skate trail and leisure/shinny pad
  • Skating trail and leisure/shinny pad
  • Multi-purpose court with basketball hoops
  • BMX/skateboard park
  • Splash pad
  • New landscaping and plantings with preservation of some of the existing mature trees
  • New pathways, lighting, custom seating and outdoor furniture

Project Renderings