The City of Mississauga has re-opened the highly anticipated Meadowvale Community Centre after over two years of construction. The $37 million project, designed by Perkins+Will Canada and constructed by Aquicon Construction Company, has made both functional and aesthetic improvements to provide additional recreation programs while updating and replacing building systems that have reached the end of their 30-year life cycle.

The community centre originally opened in January 1982. The 43,500 square-foot space had undergone improvements to the lobby and fitness centre prior to this redevelopment. The upgraded community centre features a new 25-metre pool, fitness centre, warm water therapeutic pool, new gymnasium space, the relocated Meadowvale Library, new meeting rooms and program space and more.

The re-opened community centre was built to LEED Silver specifications, and will be the City of Mississauga’s first community centre to pursue a LEED certification. Recycled, regional, FSC-certified and low-VOC materials were used in the construction of the facility, diverting at least 75 per cent of construction waste from landfills.

It also features storm water quantity and quality management strategies, such as bioswales and permeable surfaces in landscape areas, as well as permeable paving in the parking lot. Landscaped areas are planted with native species, while a cistern collects rainwater to provide all irrigation and flush fixture needs. The community centre is decked out with a green roof and maximizes open space to improve the pedestrian experience and reduce heat island effect.

The redeveloped community centre will expand and improve recreation programming, public accessibility and upgrade aging building systems. Expanded features will also enhance the comfort, convenience and safety for the community and increase operational and program efficiencies for the City of Mississauga.