HomeMy WebLinkAboutCAO 08-26
Report to
Council
Report Number: CAO 08-26
Date: June 22, 2026
From: Marisa Carpino
Chief Administrative Officer
Subject:
Construction of Dorsay Community & Heritage Centre Project Update
Milestone Report #5
File: A-1440-001
Recommendation:
1. That Report CAO 08-26 regarding the Construction of Dorsay Community & Heritage
Centre Project Update be received for information.
1.0 Executive Summary:
The purpose of this report is to provide a semi-annual project status update on the construction
of the Dorsay Community & Heritage Centre (DCHC). In accordance with Recommendation 10
of Report FIN 03-24 (Resolution #398/24), staff were instructed to provide semi-annual project
status updates on the construction of DCHC.
2.0 Relationship to the Pickering Strategic Plan:
The recommendations in this report respond to the Pickering Strategic Priorities to Champion
Economic Leadership & Innovation; Advocate for an Inclusive, Welcoming, Safe & Healthy
Community; Advance Innovation & Responsible Planning to Support a Connected, Well-
Serviced Community; Lead & Advocate for Environmental Stewardship, Innovation &
Resiliency; Strengthen Existing & Build New Partnerships; and, Foster an Engaged & Informed
Community.
3.0 Financial Implications:
The project’s construction phase is substantially complete. Current total expenditure on the
construction contract, as of the writing of this report, is $50,579,928.46 (HST exempt, including
work invoiced to the end of April 2026). Approved Change Orders to date have added a net
total increase of $2,099,279.31 (HST exempt), for a total revised construction contract price of
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Page 2
$54,052,279.31 (HST exempt). Total expenditures sum to 93.6% completion, though actual
progress is higher as the values shown do not yet include already completed work still to be
invoiced for May and June.
Overall, the project remains under budget, though delays in the delivery of certain key
materials affected the original targeted occupancy date of late 2025. Partial occupancy was
achieved on March 3, 2026, and further expanded on May 8, 2026. Only the elevator and one
barrier free washroom remain excluded at the time of the writing of this report. Both are
expected to be complete, enabling full occupancy to be achieved in the next eight weeks.
Furniture, fixture and equipment (FF&E) purchases, for products not included in the
construction contract, have been ongoing since the end of 2025. Commitments and
expenditures to date total $656,808.39 (HST exempt), from a total available budget of
$1,505,000.00. FF&E budgets and costs are separate from construction costs noted above.
Goods and materials essential to commence operations were prioritized, and purchases
remain ongoing.
4.0 Discussion:
The purpose of this report is to provide operational and financial project updates on the
construction of the DCHC in accordance with Recommendation 10 of Report FIN 03-24
(Resolution #398/24).
4.1 Decision History
a. Report CS 19-18; Resolution #455/18: RFP-6-2018 was awarded to Hariri Pontarini
Architects in June 2018 for design and consulting services of Phase 1 of the PHCC
project.
b. Report CS 34-18; Resolution #08/18: Council directed staff to expand the scope of the
design awarded for RFP-6-2018 to include Phase 2 design and related consulting
services in the amount of $660,654.50 (HST included).
c. Report CS 20-19; Resolution #72/19: Council directed staff to submit an application for
funding to the Government of Canada’s Canada Cultural Spaces Fund for the
construction of the PHCC. The City of Pickering was successful in securing
$4,000,000.00 from the Canada Cultural Investment Fund toward construction costs for
the PHCC.
d. Report CS 40-19; Resolution #595/21: Council authorized staff to initiate and submit an
application to the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program to fund construction of
PHCC. The City of Pickering was not successful in securing $12,500,000.00 in funding
from the Government of Canada Investing in Infrastructure Program.
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e. Corr 24-21; Resolution #595/21: Council directed staff to submit an application for
funding to the Government of Canada’s Green and Inclusive Community Building
Program for the construction of the Council approved PHCC. The City of Pickering was
successful in securing $12,500,000.00 toward construction costs for the PHCC.
f. Report CS 27-21; Resolution #612/21: Council directed staff to finance the net amount
of $126,691.00 in consulting costs to Hariri Pontarini Architects for the technical work
required to complete the City’s application to the GICB program.
g. Report OPS 17-22; Resolution #970/22; Council directed staff to allocate unspent funds
provided by Reports CS 19-18 and CS 34-18 for architectural, landscape and
engineering services for the PHCC at the Pickering Museum Village be re-allocated for
the conversion of existing technical documents to meet Net-Zero Design criteria in
accordance with the City’s Green and Inclusive Community Building grant application in
the net amount of $394,727.00.
h. Report OPS 03-23; Resolution #79/23: Council directed staff to award consulting and
professional services to Archaeological Services Inc. in the amount of $364,708.00
(HST Included) to complete an archaeological review of existing property to be affected
by the construction of the PHCC.
i. Report FIN 01-24; Resolution #379/24: Council confirmed PHCC as a Capital Budget
priority and requested that the Mayor include the applicable funds in the 2024 Current
and Capital Budget and Capital Forecast. The estimated gross construction cost is
$61.2 million less Federal Grants of $16.5 million which results in net construction cost
of $44.7 million. Council authorized staff to pursue naming rights revenues for the
confirmed Capital Budget priorities.
j. Report FIN 03-24; Resolution #398/24: Council awarded the construction tender of the
PHCC project to J. R. Certus.
k. Report CS 25-24; Resolution #574/24: Council directed staff to explore the naming of
the exhibit gallery in the PHCC as the John E. Anderson Exhibit Gallery.
l. Report CAO 05-24: Resolution #533/24; staff provided Council with an update on the
PHCC project.
m. Report CAO 07-24: Resolution #632/24; staff provided Council with an update on the
PHCC project.
n. Report CS 01-25; Resolution #686/25; Council approved the naming of the exhibit
gallery to be the John E. Anderson Exhibit Gallery.
o. Report ECD 05-25: At the May 26, 2025 Council Meeting, staff recommended accepting
$1,000,000.00 from Dorsay Developments Corporation in exchange for naming rights of
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Pickering’s new community centre, (previously called the Pickering Heritage &
Community Centre) to be called the Dorsay Community & Heritage Centre.
p. Report CAO 10-25: Resolution #764/25; staff provided Council with an update on the
DCHC project.
q. Report CS 22-25; Resolution #840/25; Council directed staff to award the commission
of public art at the main entrance of DCHC to Hooman Mehdizadehjafari in the amount
of $112,566.43 (HST included).
r. Report CAO 22-25; Resolution #902/25; staff provided Council with an update on the
DCHC project.
4.2 Site Works & Construction Activity
Construction activity on site is winding down, with significant reductions in construction
personnel, materials and equipment. DCHC officially opened on June 13, 2026 and programs
are actively running at the facility. Remaining work is focused around the completion of
millwork, commissioning of the elevator, exterior lighting and bollards, landscaping, provision
of signage and final placement of the top layer as asphalt.
HVAC, water, septic, lighting, life safety and other critical systems are all functional, with final
coordinated testing and commissioning to be completed throughout the month of June. Staff
have moved into the upper floor administrative office spaces and staff are working full time in
the facility.
All construction activity on site, other than addressing any ongoing minor deficiencies, is
expected to be formally completed by July 2026. A final update report to Council on the status
of the project will be provided in September 2026.
4.3 Operating Update
The facility is now open Monday to Friday, 9:00 am to 9:00 pm, and Saturday and Sunday from
9:00 am to 5:00 pm.
a. Events
Council and staff were provided with an informal First Look at DCHC on May 5. A soft
launch of the facility was held on May 9, 2026, including invitational tours to Greenwood
residents.
The Duffins Creek Festival was held on May 30, welcoming the public to the DCHC and
the Pickering Museum Village. The event celebrated and highlighted the natural and
cultural significance of the Duffins Creek ecosystem. This event had an artisan market,
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live entertainment, education stations, and outdoor activities. Over 600 people were in
attendance.
The Sip & See event was held on June 7 from 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm. Vendors submitted
an application to be part of the event and 12 vendors were selected. The Sip & See
showcased the DCHC and all of the spaces available for rental options, including
weddings, celebrations and events. Vendors included décor, rentals, caterers,
photographers and a DJ on hand for potential permit holders to speak to and
understand what offerings could accompany their event and what the spaces could look
like with a sample event set up. Over 250 people were in attendance.
DCHC’s formal grand opening was held on June 13, 2026. This event marks the official
opening of the new Dorsay Community & Heritage Centre. Formal remarks were
provided by Mayor Ashe, MP Nathan, Doodnauth Sharma, Vice-Chair of the Pickering
Library Board, Geoff Grayhurst, Dorsay Developments, and Siamak Hariri, Hariri
Pontarini Architects. Guests participated in tours and activities and enjoyed
refreshments and entertainment.
Events planned over the summer include Movie Nights in the Park (July 15 and August
19), a car show (September 5), Cultural Fusion (September 12), and a job fair (July 30).
b. Programs
From May 11 to June 13, the City started offering free programs at DCHC through a soft
launch period. Programs that were offered included children’s art, culinary classes, a
wide range of fitness classes (pilates, dance, yoga, socacize, nia, pole walking, etc.)
choir (adult and child), crocheting, guitar, tai chi, homeschooler programs, and sewing.
The Pickering Museum Village offered clay baking classes, after school programs, and
a PA Day camp. There were 1,925 registrants for programs during the soft launch
period.
Paid programs, similar to the range of programs offered during the soft launch are now
running in the facility. Eco Adventure Camp will run for eight weeks over the summer.
Fitness programs will move from the Dr. Nelson F. Tomlinson Community Centre to
DCHC to accommodate septic system repairs this fall.
c. Bookings
Facility bookings began in May and bookings continue to increase through marketing
initiatives and referrals.
• May: 3 rentals (2 birthday parties, 1 baby shower).
• June: 6 rentals (3 baby showers, 1 birthday party, 1 Pre-wedding, Greenwood Rec
Assoc. BBQ event).
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• July: 9 rentals (1 celebration of life, 1 baptism, 5 birthday parties, 1 baby shower, 1
basketball league ceremony).
• August: 6 rentals (1 ceremony, 1 anniversary,1 family party, 1 wedding, 1 baby
shower, 1 birthday party).
• The Greenwood Ratepayers Association and Greenwood Recreation Association
are meeting monthly on site.
d. Library Programs / Events / Operations
Library operating hours will be from Monday to Friday: 9:30 am – 9:00 pm, Saturday:
9:00 am – 5:00 pm, Sunday: 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm.
Greenhood Heritage Library grand opening activations taking place in June and July
include Little Sprouts Storytime, Nature Makers, Seed Scouts, and Dine on a Dime:
Personal Pizzas and Rice Krispie Square.
e. Marketing
• Pickering GO Platform Advertising will be activated from June 1 to July 20, with
three window panels visible from the westbound platform, and backlit posters and
digital screens located throughout Pickering GO, along with select Pattison signage
across Pickering and Ajax.
• Pole Banners will be installed in late June along Brock Road leading the facility to
increase awareness of DCHC.
• A custom event map is being designed in collaboration with local artist Zuna Amir.
Zuna will develop an interior events map for DCHC helping guide visitors during
activations.
• This summer a display will be installed in the lobby of Chestnut Hill Developments
Recreation Complex to promote DCHC.
• A series of video shorts has been developed and issued through the City’s social
media channels.
• A media release was issued to notify residents of the facility’s grand opening.
• Staff continue to promote programs and events through established marketing
tactics and channels.
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Attachment: None
Prepared By: Vince Plouffe, OAA, MRAIC, Division Head, Facilities Management &
Construction
Prepared By: Krystal Roberts, Manager, Cultural Services
Prepared By: Marilou Murray, Manager,
Prepared By: Karen Coleman, Manager, Recreation Services
Prepared By: Shobha Oza, CEO, Director of Public Libraries
Approved/Endorsed By: Laura Gibbs, MBA, MSc., Director, Community Services
LG:vp
Recommended for the consideration of Pickering City Council By:
Marisa Carpino, M.A.
Chief Administrative Officer