Today, Mayor John Tory was joined by Councillor Joe Cressy (Spadina-Fort York), Robert Kearns, Chair and Founder of the Canada Ireland Foundation, and Dr. Eamonn McKee, Ambassador of Ireland to Canada, for a special ground-breaking event to launch phase two construction of the Bathurst Quay Neighbourhood Plan (BQNP).
As part of the event, project partners and stakeholders gathered to officially open a new water’s edge promenade and rebuilt dockwall along the central waterfront’s Western Channel. As part of the announcement, the City of Toronto also officially launched the next construction phase for the BQNP, which includes the transformation of a vacant office building into a new waterfront arts and cultural hub, and rehabilitation and restoration of the heritage-designated Canada Malting silos.
Since the project was approved by City Council in 2017, the City has been leading a multi-project, multi-partner effort, including multiple City divisions, with funding and project delivery from external partners such as the Canada Ireland Foundation, Ports Toronto, the Waterfront BIA, Toronto District School Board and the Waterfront Neighbourhood Centre. The project will ultimately bring improvements to the surrounding Bathurst Quay neighbourhood, as well as to the historic Canada Malting property.
The first phase of construction for the BQNP project broke ground in October 2019 and was completed in early 2021. That phase delivered needed environmental approvals and remediation, more space for public use by working to reduce the footprint of Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, critical dockwall reconstruction and a new water’s edge public promenade along the south edge of the property.
The next phase of construction will begin this fall and includes two significant revitalization projects, both expected to be complete by 2023:
The third and final construction phase – set to begin in summer 2022 – will deliver a significant new waterfront plaza on the malting property that will include seating areas by the water’s edge, purposefully-designed spaces for hosting occasional special events, and ambient lighting that can transform the malting silos into iconic waterfront beacons. The final public realm design will also include a new parkette and public art mural on nearby Eireann Quay, to connect each of the Bathurst Quay projects to each other, to the Bathurst Quay neighbourhood, and to the water’s edge.
Learn more about the Bathurst Quay Neighbourhood Plan here
Quotes:
“This Bathurst Quay waterfront project has been an enormous undertaking dating back many years. I am thrilled about the progress that’s been made so far and applaud the efforts made by all of our partners who all share the same goal of improving our city’s waterfront. While we move forward in our next phase of construction, residents and visitors are able to continue to enjoy many parts of our beloved waterfront including new and improved facilities.”
– Mayor John Tory
“Our ongoing revitalization work is about opening up access to our city’s waterfront, and creating new, dynamic public spaces. The new water’s edge promenade and rebuilt dockwall at Bathurst Quay have opened up opportunities for community space, which will only be increased as we begin the transformation on an empty office building into a new arts and cultural hub. Along with the restoration of the historic Canada Malting silos, the City of Toronto and our local partners — especially the Canada Ireland Foundation, the Bathurst Quay Neighbourhood Association, The Waterfront BIA, TDSB and Ports Toronto – are helping to transform Bathurst Quay into a vibrant waterfront destination.”
– Councillor Joe Cressy (Spadina-Fort York)
“When the Corleck Building opens in spring 2023, it will become a vibrant hub for arts, culture and heritage on Toronto’s waterfront. The Corleck Building will present new opportunities for the Irish-Canadian community to explore its deep roots and to engage with the many diverse cultures that enrich the city today. The Canada Ireland Foundation is grateful to the City of Toronto for the tremendous ongoing partnership, beginning with the creation of Ireland Park in 2007, and continuing with the opening of Grasett Park earlier this year — and now with the development of The Corleck Building and the revitalization of Eireann Quay.”
– Robert Kearns, Founder & Chair of the Canada Ireland Foundation
“The Embassy of Ireland is delighted to support and be a part of the renovation and transformation of the Corleck building. Once completed, it will be an invaluable asset in representing the Irish in Canada and the strong bonds that connect Ireland and Canada. Those bonds are deeply embedded in our mutual histories and national narratives, providing a wealth of material for the programs and exhibitions at the Corleck. The Canada Ireland Foundation is to be commended for its work on Ireland Park and Grasett Park. Where those rightly recall and honour our history and beginnings in the city of Toronto, this new project looks to the future and the vitality of the links between Ireland and Canada today.”
– Dr. Eamonn McKee, Ambassador of Ireland to Canada
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