HomeMy WebLinkAboutCAO 10-25Report to
Executive Committee
Report Number: CAO 10-25
Date: June 9, 2025
From: Marisa Carpino
Chief Administrative Officer
Subject: Pickering Heritage & Community Centre Project Update
Tender No. T2023-12 – Milestone Report #3
File: A-1440
Recommendation:
1. That Report CAO 10-25 regarding the Pickering Heritage & Community Centre Project
Update be received;
2. That staff be directed to issue a formal request to Durham Region Transit for the
provision of a bus stop in proximity to the Pickering Heritage & Community Centre; and
3.That the appropriate officials of the City of Pickering be authorized to take the necessary
actions as indicated in the report.
Executive Summary: The purpose of this report is to provide a semi-annual project status
update on the construction of the Pickering Heritage & Community Centre (PHCC). 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 the Pickering
Heritage & Community Centre. Staff are also seeking direction to issue a formal request to
Durham Region Transit for a bus stop near PHCC.
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.
Financial Implications: The project is more than halfway complete in its construction
phase, which is reflected in the total expenditures to-date. The current year -to-date total
expenditure on the construction contract, as of the writing of this report, is $25,892,442.12
(before tax , billed as of March 31, 2025) and when measured against the Council approved
Purchase Order (PO 4500001411) amount of $51,953,000.00, represents a total expenditure
of 49 percent, excluding anticipated invoices for April and May 2025.
CAO 10-25 June 9, 2025
Subject: Pickering Heritage & Community Centre Project Update Page 2
No furniture, fixture or equipment purchases have been made to date. Expenditures against
related budgets are expected to begin after the PHCC building has been enclosed. Most of
these items can only be ordered for delivery to occur after the City has taken occupancy of the
facility.
Paid Change O rders to date total $23,815.80 (before tax) with approximately $669,190.14 in
additional proposed changes expected. At this point, the project can be deemed to have
successfully avoided risk of major costs that can often be associated with earthworks and
unforeseen soil conditions. Major mechanical equipment and building structure were also
delivered to site prior to the imposition of retaliatory Canadian tariffs, thereby avoid any
potential exposure to additional costs on those major systems and components.
Discussion: The purpose of this report is to provide operational and financial project
updates on the construction of the PHCC in accordance with Recommendation 10 of Report
FIN 03-24 (Council Resolution 398/24).
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 Pickering Heritage & Community Centre. 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.
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.
CAO 10-25 June 9, 2025
Subject: Pickering Heritage & Community Centre Project Update Page 3
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
Pickering’s new community centre, (previously called the Pickering Heritage & Community
Centre) to be called the Dorsay Community Centre.
2. Site Works & Construction Activity:
Foundations and structural steel superstructure work is complete, including provision of floor
slabs and roof decks. Roofing work and exterior wall construction are well advanced with
curtain wall installation to commence in June 2025. The building should be enclosed during the
summer, enabling focus to shift to interior finishing for the final stage of the project. Interior
partitions, electrical, mechanical and related rough-ins are already well underway.
CAO 10-25 June 9, 2025
Subject: Pickering Heritage & Community Centre Project Update Page 4
Permanent power connections are pending, with curbs and initial lifts of asphalt paving
expected to occur during Q3. Landscaping work will also proceed in the fall, enabling planting
to take root long before the end of the growing season.
The City is finalizing negotiations with Toronto and Region Conservation Authority for transfer
of lands to the west, required for the gravel overflow parking lot, including provision of a trail
head and signage connecting to the TransCanada Trail, which passes through the museum
property. Staff are actively working with the project consultants to develop all aspects of
wayfinding and signage that will be required, including both interior, exterior , site orientation,
and the potential addition of a pylon sign along Highway 7.
Highlights of construction progress are summarized as follows:
• P ermanent power will be connected to the building shortly .
• Steel superstructure and wood laminated beam installation is complete.
• Roof deck is installed and roofing is underway.
• Cladding and curtain wall installation to commence shortly , with the building to be fully
enclosed this summer.
• Paving and landscaping work to commence by late summer.
• Relocation of the Puterbaugh Schoolhouse and Harvey House is complete. Restoration
of the Harvey House is to be undertaken as a separate project, with related design work
already underway.
• Major HVAC equipment is on site and being placed in position on rooftop curbs.
Elevator installation will proceed after the building is enclosed.
• The former site administration building is to be demolished in the fall 2025.
3. Schedule:
The project schedule is to be ready for takeover by October 2025. The building is intended to
open for public use in April 2026. There was some slippage in the schedule over the winter,
but occupancy is still expected before the end of 2025, and the project team continues to work
cooperatively to ensure timely delivery. Minor adjustments to the completion date are not
expected to impact the targeted opening date or grant funding deadlines, as tolerance such
occurrences was built into the original project deadlines.
4. Archaeological Work:
All required archaeological work has been completed and draft reports have been circulated
for review prior to submission to the registry . No further work has been identified as required
as part of this project.
5. Operating Budget & Programming:
Staff from the Community Services Department and the Pickering Public Library continue to
work on operating budgets and preparing for the facility opening.
CAO 10-25 June 9, 2025
Subject: Pickering Heritage & Community Centre Project Update Page 5
Community engagement on programming was completed in late 2024. More specifically, the
community engagement campaign began November 8, 2024 and r an for four weeks, ending
on December 8. The engagement included a city -wide survey that resulted in 126 responses.
Three Open Houses were offered including an evening session on November 13 at Chestnut
Hill Developments Recreation Complex , afternoon and evening sessions on November 20 at
Greenwood Community Centre, and an evening session at Dr. Nelson F. Tomlinson
Community Centre. Engagement opportunities were advertised widely through various social
media channels, distribution of a city -wide promotional mailout, and on the Lets Talk Pickering
website (LetsTalkPickering.ca/PHCC).
Summary of community engagement:
•R esidents of Greenwood expressed concern about the safety of turning onto 6th
C oncession Road from Highway 7, which is the main route of entry to the PHCC .
•P articipants of the Open Houses identified a need for a public transit stop or access
from the new community centre.
•20% of respondents are interested in preschool programs at the PHCC. The most
popular program times are weekend mornings. Respondents are interested in a wide
range of preschool activities including educational programs, outdoor nature, arts &
crafts, parent/tot play, dance, music, and cooking.
•31% of respondents are interested in children’s programs at the PHCC. While Saturday
was reported as the most popular day of the week for children’s programs, all days of
the week were popular program times, primarily for evening programs. The most
popular children’s programs that people requested include: summer camps, educational
programs, arts & crafts, music, outdoor nature, and cooking/baking.
•16% of respondents are interested in youth programs on weekends and weekdays
during the evening. The most popular youth programs include car/small engine care,
art, crafts (sewing, knitting, costume making), cooking/baking, and drop-in programs.
•72% of respondents are interested in adult programs on weekdays throughout the day.
The most popular programs include fitness, crafts, art, outdoor nature programs, and
cooking/baking.
•R espondents interested in 55+ programming prefer programs times throughout the
week.
•For all ages, respondents were most interested in summer concerts, art festivals, and
indoor music performances at the Community Centre.
•R espondents are interested in accessing a range of library materials and want access
to WIFI, printers and desktop computers. 88% of respondents were likely or somewhat
likely to visit the Local History Experience Centre.
CAO 10-25 June 9, 2025
Subject: Pickering Heritage & Community Centre Project Update Page 6
A marketing campaign of the new Community Centre and its programs, activities and services
is planned to begin in summer, 2025. Rentals and facility bookings will begin taking bookings
for spaces in the Community Centre starting in July, 2025. Operating costs will be included in
the 2026 Current Budget. First public use of the f acility is not expected until spring 2026,
following a fit-out period after the construction is complete. Staff are preparing for a grand
opening in spring 2026.
6.Transit Stop at the PHCC
Rec ommendation 2 of this report is intended to formalize and reinforce the importance of
integrated transit access to the PHCC , including library and museum . PHCC is located along a
major transportation corridor and will serve as a key community facility for Seaton and
adjoining developments until other facilities are built in the future.
Staff from Community Services have met with staff from Durham Region Transit and discussed
options for a bus route to the PHCC and permanent bus stop located at the PHCC to provide
low cost, reliable transit options to the facility. Durham Region staff recommended that the City
send a letter to Durham Region requesting this bus stop.
The City of Pickering has fostered a relationship with Durham Region Transit, offering the
second year of free shuttle service using Durham Transit buses and established routes to
serve Pickering residents with a route from Pickering City Centre to the Waterfront, along
Liverpool Road. The waterfront shuttle service route runs only during peak times, mainly during
weekends and holidays. In discussions with Durham Region Transit staff there is interest in
creating a route to the PHCC, under a similar partnership model to the waterfront shuttle
service.
During community engagement, residents requested a transit stop at the PHCC . As such, staff
recommend sending a letter to Durham Region Transit to formally make this request.
Attachment: None.
Prepared By: Approved/Endorsed By:
Original Signed By Original Signed By
Vince Plouffe, OAA, MRAIC Stan Karwowski
Division Head, Facilities Management Director, Finance & Treasurer
& Construction
CAO 10-25 June 9, 2025
Subject: Pickering Heritage & Community Centre Project Update Page 7
Approved/Endorsed By:
Original Signed By
Laura Gibbs, MBA, M Sc.
Director, Community Services
Original Signed By
Jackie Flowers
CEO/Director of Public Library
LG :vp
Recommended for the consideration
of Pickering City Council
Original Signed By
Marisa Carpino, M.A.
Chief Administrative Officer