About Maple Library and Community Centre
The Maple Library and Community Centre, located at 10190 Keele Street, is the City’s largest community centre at approximately 148,000 square feet in size. It is located in one of Vaughan’s busiest areas and continues to serve the expanding diverse local community. New residential construction in the centre’s close proximity will also add to the number of members it caters to.
The arena was built in 1974, with the library and community centre following in 1991. An expansion was completed in 2004. The expansion consisted of fitness rooms, activity rooms and an art space. It is a full-service community centre, complete with a pool, arena, fitness areas, gymnasium, bocce courts, activity rooms, game rooms and a bowling alley.
Maple Library has been an integral part of the community since 1991. Knowing that it was time for an update, the City engaged with Vaughan citizens, library-goers and stakeholders to review how they visit and utilize the space. With this feedback, a renovation plan was developed along with industry best practices. The library has now been reimagined to be a bright, welcoming and accessible library branch to align with the growing and changing needs of the community.
The Maple Library and Community Centre Renovation supports the City’s commitment towards 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 aligns with the Active Together Master Plan (ATMP) 2018 Review and Update (May 2018) in its recommendation to renew and revitalize existing libraries and community centres. The ATMP is the guide for the planning of 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.
Background
In 2017, the Infrastructure Planning and Corporate Asset Management department completed a Building Conditions Assessment of Maple Library and Maple Community Centre, which provided recommendations for state of good repair upgrades. Due to the age of the facility, it also required modernization, improved space layouts and functionality, sustainability upgrades, accessibility enhancements and improvements in energy utilization.
Vaughan Public Libraries completed the Maple Library Special Area Study (2018) that assessed the need and future options for Maple Library. This study proposed renewal of the library’s existing space within the Maple Community Centre to align with the branch library model and this was approved by the Vaughan Public Libraries Board.
In 2020, ATA Architects Inc. was retained to begin the interior planning and renovation work within the existing facility.