The scope of work at various City-owned properties across Toronto involved comprehensive interior and exterior accessibility upgrades, carried out as part of the City’s commitment to improving public facilities under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). All project sites remained fully occupied and operational during construction, requiring a high level of coordination, safety planning, and sensitivity to the needs of occupants.

Project locations included a diverse range of facilities such as fire stations, community and recreational centres such as West Scarborough Community Centre and the Scarborough Arts Council, and shelters like Margaret’s Housing and Community Support Services. Many of these facilities serve vulnerable populations, which added complexity and urgency to the renovations.

The work encompassed a broad range of upgrades, including structural modifications, drywall installation, flooring and ceiling replacements, masonry and painting, carpentry, doors and hardware, miscellaneous metal work, building envelope repairs, window replacement and glazing, plumbing upgrades, new signage, HVAC improvements, electrical work, and general repairs. Due to the critical nature of these facilities and the continued occupancy during construction, the projects demanded meticulous planning, enhanced safety protocols, and seamless communication to minimize disruptions while ensuring the safety, accessibility, and functionality of each site.

As part of its State of Good Repair Program, the City of Toronto has undertaken a series of renovations and upgrades aimed at improving AODA (Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act) compliance across a range of City-owned facilities. These include fire stations, long-term care homes, youth and childcare centres, and recreational facilities, many of which are fully occupied and operational during construction.

The scope of work varies by location but generally includes both interior and exterior accessibility upgrades. Notable projects under this program include renovations at the Toronto Archives and St. Alban’s Boys & Girls Club. The comprehensive work involved structural modifications, drywall installation, flooring and ceiling replacement, masonry repairs, painting, carpentry, doors and hardware updates, and miscellaneous metal work. Additional improvements included building envelope repairs, window replacement and glazing, plumbing upgrades, new signage, and HVAC and electrical system repairs.

This program ensures that City facilities remain safe, functional, and inclusive, extending their usability and aligning them with current accessibility standards.

The relocation of the Maryvale Library involved the creation of a inviting space within the Parkway Mall. This 11,700sf interior project is fully accessible  and included a new store front, a children’s literacy centre, quiet study room, workstations and meeting rooms.

The scope of work also included millwork, life safety, provision of mechanical systems including plumbing, HVAC and controls, and electrical systems including data and communication upgrades.

The 32,000sf renovation to the existing Cedarbrae Library included a 4,000sf addition and making this facility fully accessible. The newly created spaces included updated washroom facilities, library book storage areas, adult, teen and children lounge areas, work rooms, quiet study areas, new entry vestibule and entry hall. A 2-storey glazed wall system along the full extent of the north and west building facades creates striking visual identity to attract the community at large. New energy efficient systems maximized the use of natural sunlight.

Special features of this renovation and addition was the use of a mass timber system that included engineering for connections of timber framing, beams, columns and trusses. Installation of exposed glulam, decking and new skylights allowed for natural light and a more modern and inviting feel to the new spaces.

This project was phased to allow for ongoing operations of this busy library.

Additions and renovations to the existing Dufferin/St. Clair Library involved first the demolition of existing areas to make way for a total renovated area of approximately 13,000sf. New areas included updated washroom facilities, library book storage areas, adult, teen and children lounge areas, work rooms, quiet study areas, new entry vestibule and entry hall and making the renovated facility fully accessible.

This project also included historic restoration of the exterior masonry facades.

The site, like most of Killbear Provincial Park is recognized by large expanses of exposed Precambrian igneous/metamorphic rock. Perched upon a 2.7 m. cleft, the Centre’s form twists over top of the fissured landscape. The project presents a curatorial route that winds up upon itself to capture the distant view of the peninsula’s southern shoreline, an important geological feature and relevant to the Centre’s storyline. This topographical approach to the design of the Centre’s floor plates merged together two important ambitions; the desire to have the floors mimic the site’s contours and the pursuit of a continuous curatorial path.

The continuous curatorial pathway or promenade provides the visitor with an experience analogous to reading, without the need to retrace one’s steps back to the main circuit or narrative. The Centre’s sloped floors provide a continuous exhibit display walking surface (108 meters in length) through two floor levels without the need for disruptive sets of stairs or elevators. The 5% gradient allows for unlimited access of wheelchair-bound occupants without the use of a segregated route.

Project Description provided by: Urbana Architects Corporation

The existing Clarkson Arena was renovated to create a 26,500sf multi-purpose facility. Programming for this new community centre and library comprised of a new library and gymnasium. The scope of work also included new exterior landscaped areas along with outdoor water play and splash pad surfaces. The community centre also boasts a new entrance and gallery areas incorporating the existing indoor ice rink, new library, gymnasium, and administrative facilities under one roof.

This project was phased and carried out in a fully operational facility.

This 17,600sf library and combined community centre overlooks Petticoat Creek at the western edge of the City of Pickering. The facility consists of a branch library, a senior’s room, as well as a community room for youth programs and a commercial kitchen. The facility is brought together by a shared gallery, and includes an outdoor patio space allowing users to enjoy the beautiful landscape along Petticoat Creek.

This project involved the construction of a new 21,000sf community centre located in an existing underground garage. Extensive demolition and removal of portions of the existing 3 levels of reinforced concrete underground garage structure, underpinning, and soil anchoring were required prior to construction. This new facility was incorporated into the existing structure with access to the existing residential garage and high-rise apartments being maintained throughout the construction. The community centre also boasts a gymnasium, day care, indoor swimming pool, fitness and administrative facilities.

The Community Urban Space Project site is approximately 6.5 acres in size. This site honours Newmarket’s historic downtown and was designed to become a dynamic social meeting place for the community to celebrate its culture and participate in recreational and civic activities. The facility includes an outdoor skating rink, walking paths that connect to the Tom Taylor Trail, green space, and many other features.

Phase 3 work consisted of renewal of the existing community centre, which included updating of interior finishes, upgrading existing building services and facilities, construction of a 750sf addition for the zamboni garage and refrigeration room for the new outdoor skating rink, addition of washrooms, a new south entrance vestibule, and underpinning of the east foundations to house the water feature equipment room for the outdoor water feature.

The existing sloped roof was also raised, re-roofed and the entire building envelope was re-cladded.