On Oct. 27, 2018 RioCan’s Burlington Centre marked it’s $60-million makeover with a grand re-opening. The shopping centre’s celebration coincided with its 50th-anniversary.

According to a press release, the shopping centre honoured its transformation with a day-long celebration, which included a kid-zone, in-mall stretch and the launch of a permanent community space called the Hub.

The interior and exterior renovations, which took two years to complete, include upgraded washrooms, improved free Wi-Fi, enhanced wayfinding and digital directories, furniture with electrical outlets for charging, an updated food court design, enhanced guest services, and a new kiosk.

“RioCan and our partners at KingSett believe Burlington Centre is a model for how community shopping centres can operate going forward,” said RioCan COO Jonathan Gitlin. “As retail continues to evolve, it’s even more important for properties such as this to serve as a gathering place for the community. We were mindful to ensure the changes we made to our branding, tenant mix and physical space were reflective of the preferences of shoppers and changes in the community.”

A pop-up museum detailing the history of the shopping centre was also launched over the weekend and remains on display.

“We wanted the grand opening to be an occasion where we could celebrate with the community and collectively look forward to the next 50 years in Burlington. But it was equally important to recognize our history, and the role this property has played in the city over the last half century,” said general manager Heidi McGaw.