Toronto kicks off next phase of BQNP project
Toronto has officially kicked off the second phase of construction on its Bathurst Quay Neighbourhood Plan (BQNP).
The launch event was held on November 2, and featured a groundbreaking ceremony that was attended by Mayor John Tory, Spadina-Fort York Councillor Joe Cressy, Robert Kearns, Chair and Founder of the Canada Ireland Foundation, and Dr. Eamonn McKee, Ambassador of Ireland to Canada. The officials gathered to formally open a new water’s edge promenade and rebuilt dockwall along the central waterfront’s Western Channel.
“This Bathurst Quay waterfront project has been an enormous undertaking dating back many years,” said Tory. “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.”
The BQNP project calls for improvements to the surrounding Bathurst Quay neighbourhood, as well as to the historic Canada Malting property.
The first phase of construction 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 second phase of construction will begin this fall. It calls for work on two significant revitalization projects.
Work to restore the heritage-designated Canada Malting silos includes creating a pedestrian “portal” through the silos, containing an interpretive installation on the history and significance of these heritage-designated structures, as well as enabling investments in the structures to support their future planned re-use and activation.
The second project involves repurposing a derelict office building on the site into the Corleck Building, a new waterfront hub for arts and culture to be operated by the Canada Ireland Foundation.
“When the Corleck Building opens in spring 2023, it will become a vibrant hub for arts, culture and heritage on Toronto’s waterfront,” said Kearns. “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.”
Both projects are expected to be complete by 2023.
The third and final construction phase, which is set to begin next summer, 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 design also calls for 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.
Since the project was approved, the City of Toronto has been leading a multi-project, multi-partner effort 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.
Featured image: Artist's rendering of the final Bathurst Quay Neighbourhood. (City of Toronto)