New sports complex being built next to high school in Mississauga

A new, badly needed and well-behind-schedule track and field facility that’s been talked about for some seven years is finally being built beside a north Mississauga high school.

City of Mississauga officials said Friday the shovels will dig into the ground this coming Tuesday afternoon to mark beginning of construction for the $3.3-million lit sports facility to be located at Anaka Park, next to Ascension of Our Lord Secondary School in Malton.

“This exciting project is a collaborative effort between the City of Mississauga, the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board and the Ministry of Education aimed at enhancing recreational opportunities for students and the community,” Mississauga officials said in a brief email announcing details of the groundbreaking ceremony.

The joint-use facility, which when completed will feature a lit artificial turf field and synthetic four-lane track, was given the unanimous green light by city councillors in March 2023 and was at that point expected to open to the public in 2024.

However, unspecified delays ensued and the city didn’t take plans to the public for feedback until a March 2024 open house.

Anaka Park improvements include a multi-use artificial turf field with a four-lane running track, a new playground and fitness facility, and buffer tree plantings along the north and west perimeters. (Image: City of Mississauga)

Ontario’s Ministry of Education has approved $2 million in funding for the project. It’s unclear how, specifically, the city and school board split the remaining cost of the new facility, which is to be used by the school and school board during school hours and open to use by scores of others across Mississauga on evenings, weekends and holidays.

During discussion about the planned sports facility in March 2023, Mayor Carolyn Parrish, who at that time served as Ward 5 councillor, didn’t mince words in expressing her relief that the project finally appeared to be leaving the starting gate.

“This has been worse than birthing five elephants. I’ve never seen anything take this long,” Parrish said at the time, noting unrealistic expectations of school staff and an initial reluctance of the school board to part ways with its share of the cash led to numerous earlier delays.

An earlier report from city staff recommending the facility proceed concluded that such “shared-use facilities are a cost-effective strategy for providing access to new park facilities.”

Other components of the new sports complex include:

• long jump and triple jump facilities
• spectator bleachers
• extra seating areas
• updated playground with new play structure, improved accessibility and a sandbox
• new outdoor fitness facility
• improved pathway connections
• newly planted trees between the park and surrounding homes

(Cover image: City of Mississauga)