The Town of Whitby has officially launched construction of a new sports complex and outdoor park.

Mayor Elizabeth Roy and council members were among those present at the project’s official groundbreaking on September 14.

“Today’s groundbreaking is a significant milestone in the construction of the future Whitby Sports Complex and outdoor park, spaces designed by and with our community,” she said. “We heard loud and clear that people want a flexible and connected design with lots of outdoor, aquatics, and gymnasium space. That’s exactly what this site will deliver, helping to ensure that we can meet the recreational needs of our growing community for years to come.”

The new facility and park are being built west of Baldwin Street South, south of the intersection of Highway 407, and are expected to open in late-2025.

The amenities planned to be part of the 160,000 square-foot Whitby Sports Complex facility include:

• an aquatic centre with a 25-metre, 10-lane pool, separate leisure pool and spectator viewing area
• a double gymnasium, with three-lane indoor walking track;
• a twin-pad arena with 85-foot by 190-foot ice pads; and
• flexible spaces to support community programs, meetings, and arts and cultural activities.

The facility will be home to the largest pool in Durham Region.

A number of environmental sustainability initiatives incorporated into the facility’s design will make it the first zero carbon building and LEED Gold facility in Canada to include a twin pad arena, gymnasium, and aquatics facility.

A 13-acre outdoor park neighbouring the facility is also planned to include pickleball, tennis, and basketball courts; a multi-purpose sports field; a playground; as well as a skatepark and pump track.