One of oldest community centres in city reopens with a new look in Mississauga

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Published February 15, 2024 at 1:46 pm

Burnhamthorpe Community Centre in Mississauga grand reopening.
Rendering of the renovated Burnhamthorpe Community Centre in Mississauga. (Image: City of Mississauga)

Guided tours of a dramatically renovated Mississauga recreation facility, food trucks and more are on tap this coming Monday at Burnhamthorpe Community Centre in the city’s east end.

After undergoing a $40-million overhaul that took more than two years to complete, Burnhamthorpe Community Centre, one of the city’s oldest facilities, celebrates its grand reopening on Family Day complete with a variety of activities.

The community centre partially reopened to the public this past November with amenities available in a “staggered approach” through the end of December.

Monday’s reopening event, which is free and open to all ages, will include an official opening ceremony, tours of the facility, food trucks, live entertainment, free treats and more, City of Mississauga officials say.

The event gets underway at 11 a.m. with food trucks, entertainment and other activities before ending at 4 p.m.

Acting mayor Joe Horneck and city councillors will also be on hand.

The grand reopening will also double as one of numerous occasions throughout 2024 when Mississauga’s 50th anniversary will be publicly celebrated, officials say.

Major renovations/upgrades to the facility, which was built a half century ago in 1974, include a new aquatics centre and a new equipment-based fitness centre, among other upgrades and additions (see video below). 

The revamped aquatics centre includes a six-lane, 25-metre pool, warm water therapy pool and multi-purpose space for swim parties and other functions, according to the city.

The fitness centre is now equipped with cardio machines, weights and a fitness studio with wood-sprung floor.  

Rendering of what the new swimming pool area looks like. (Image: City of Mississauga)

Burnhamthorpe Community Centre also received: 

  • enhancements to existing multi-purpose spaces to improve social and recreation opportunities for residents
  • facility design modernization and improved accessibility within the building
  • improved front entrance and access from parking lot
  • upgrades to the exterior appearance
  • new green space and improved connection to Jaycee Park
  • improved sustainable and accessible design standards

The community centre, located on Gulleden Drive near Dixie and Burnhamthorpe roads, underwent a major gym expansion in 2004.

However, the aging facility was due a major overhaul “to meet the needs of the community” when it shut down to the public in early 2021 for renovations, the city said.

Chic Murray Arena, which was also closed for more than two years for extensive renovations, reopened next to the Burnhamthorpe Community Centre last September.

It received the following upgrades:

  • refreshed lower and upper arena lobby areas
  • new sliding doors to entrance
  • new speakers and sound system
  • updated vanities in dressing rooms
  • fresh paint throughout the facility
  • snow melt pit for ice shavings
  • roll-out of electric Zamboni
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