About Garnet A. Williams Community Centre Renovation
About Garnet A. Williams Community Centre
The Garnet A. Williams Community Centre is located at 501 Clark Ave. W. It is a 125,000-square-foot facility, originally constructed between 1982-84. With an indoor arena, leisure pool, fitness centre, gymnasium, community and activity rooms, squash and racquetball courts and office space for City staff, the community centre is a well-known gathering space for residents in the Thornhill community. Along with community centre facilities and programming, the west side of the building includes a tenant space with a separate exterior entrance and no interior connection to the main community centre building.
The community centre was expanded in 2005 to include a new seniors’ activity room and fitness centre. Other than ongoing maintenance and repair work, the facility has not been significantly altered since the 2005 expansion.
The Garnet A. Williams Community Centre Major Renovation Project reinforces a culture of design excellence through the redevelopment of spaces that will respond to the needs of citizens with strong considerations for functionality, accessibility, sustainable design, urban design, architectural design and citizen experience. The project site is defined by York Hill Boulevard (to the west), Hilda Avenue (to the east), Clark Avenue (to the north) and the York Hill District Park (to the south). The facility is located within a residential subdivision with a commercial plaza adjacent to the site (to the east) and mid-rise residential building (to the west).
Overview
In 2016, the City retained Moriyama + Teshima Architects to complete a feasibility study for Garnet A. Williams Community Centre that aimed to address concerns about the aging facility and the evolving needs of the staff and users. The feasibility study focused primarily on accessibility upgrades, Ontario Building Code updates and integrating feedback from facility users and staff.
As well, the City’s Infrastructure Planning and Corporate Asset Management department completed a building conditions assessment of Garnet A. Williams Community Centre in 2017 and determined what was in a state of good repair and what required updates and upgrades.
Due to the age of the community centre, some modernization opportunities were recognized, as well as the need to improve the layout, centre functionality, sustainability, energy utilization and accessibility.
In 2019, an architectural consultant, The Ventin Group (+VG Architects), was retained to begin the interior planning and renovation work within the existing facility.
Public Feedback
Collecting feedback from the public has been an important component of the ongoing work. Engaging with the community to determine their needs and desires for the space and programming has helped shape the Garnet A. Williams Major Renovation Project.
Throughout the course of the previous public consultation, a desire to have a design emphasized by accessibility, opportunities for gathering and socialization, a vast array of programs and an overall feeling of comfort was expressed. The new designs respond to the growing demands of the community to ensure the City can continue to provide inclusive and engaging experiences that include flexible spaces and updated amenities. The public also asked for a facility that offers inclusive experiences regardless of age or ability. Finally, a strong desire to update the pool change rooms was identified, along with the creation of a family change room.
The revitalized Garnet A. Williams Community Centre will includes:
- a new main entrance.
- a new arena entrance.
- a new lobby.
- a new customer service desk.
- new activity and program rooms.
- a refreshed pool and exterior pool patio.
- renovated pool change rooms and a new family change room.
- renovated fitness centre change rooms.
- direct access to the new exterior sun deck and York Hill Park.
- a new outdoor splashpad at York Hill Park.
- enhanced accessibility features.
Community Impact
The Garnet A. Williams Community Centre Major Renovation Project supports the City’s commitment to the strategic priority areas of Active, Safe and Diverse Communities, Staff Engagement and Citizen Experience through the 2018-2022 Term of Council Service Excellence Strategic Plan.
This project is aligned with the Active Together Master Plan 2018 Review and Update (May 2018) (PDF) and Parks Redevelopment Strategy in their recommendation to renew and revitalize existing community centres. The Active Together Master Plan 2018 and Parks Redevelopment Strategy are the guides for the planning of parks, recreation and library facilities within the city of Vaughan. It builds on the City’s foundational documents, including the 2018-2022 Term of Council Service Excellence Strategic Plan, the City’s Official Plan and Green Directions Vaughan.
York Hill Park Redevelopment Project – Phase 1
Directly south of the Garnet A. Williams Community Centre is York Hill District Park. Constructed in 1980, the 8.4-hectare park has undergone some recent amenity upgrades. The park contains several internal pathways, three playground areas, six tennis courts, a full basketball court, shade shelter, two senior baseball fields and an artificial outdoor ice rink. York Hill District Park was identified as a high priority for redevelopment in the 2018 Parks Redevelopment Strategy. Along with the community centre renovation, York Hill District Park will become an accessible park and community hub with facilities that will serve the community’s needs and preserve the natural environment. The updates will take into consideration existing park-related issues and the changing demographic of the area.
Phase 1 of York Hill District Park’s redevelopment coincides with the renovation works of the community centre and will include the addition of a waterplay facility, washroom and change room facilities, circulation improvements and a community hub area. Phase 2 will include the remaining changes for the park south of the Phase 1. Work for Phase 2 will begin after Phase 1 is completed.
For more information, view the York Hill Park Phase 1 Update - November 2021 (PDF)
Sustainable Neighbourhood Action Program (SNAP)
Thornhill, a community in Vaughan, has been identified by the City for a SNAP Initiative. SNAP takes
an integrated approach to overcoming urban challenges and aim to address a broad range of objectives with locally tailored solutions. Key objectives of the SNAP include a community in Vaughan, has been identified by the City for a SNAP Initiative. SNAP takes an integrated approach to overcoming urban challenges and aim to address a broad range of objectives with locally tailored solutions. Key objectives of the SNAP include:
- encouraging urban ecosystem health.
- reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
- enhancing community connections.
- inspiring healthy living.
One way to achieve these program objectives is to make physical improvements to existing buildings, parks and open spaces. As part of this initiative, the City will seek public input on a neighbourhood action plan that includes, among other projects, the Garnet A. Williams Community Centre and York Hill District Park redevelopment. Check this page often for SNAP updates and opportunities to get involved and join the conversation or visit the SNAP webpage and subscribe to the newsletter.