Investing in your City: Continued Investments in Robert Bateman Community Centre
Our weekly "Investing in your City" series continues, highlighting some of the significant investments being made in Burlington and that our community will benefit from.
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Continuing investments are being made towards our new Robert Bateman Community Centre -- that will be, when completed, Burlington's largest community centre servicing our whole city, in partnership with Brock University, Burlington Public Library, Halton District School Board, and Tech Place. Recently, Burlington Council received an update from staff that construction is progressing on time and on budget towards an opening in 2025.Progress and milestones to date:
- The name for the Robert Bateman Community Centre was chosen with support of resident feedback, Mr. Bateman and approved by City Council.
- Three in-person visioning engagement sessions and one virtual visioning engagement session was held for the use of the indoor space.
- Residents also had the opportunity to provide visioning feedback at the Appleby Line Street Festival and the Food for Feedback event. Each event was very well attended.
- Demolition and asbestos removal work is approximately 95 per cent completed.
- Structural foundations and backfill completed at the south end and structural steel framing at south facade nearly complete.
- Interior second floor renovation progressing well with steel framing, HVAC, plumbing, electrical, drywall and insulation being installed.
Parking and track update:The City of Burlington’s application for a reduction of 41 parking spaces at Robert Bateman Community Centre, based on a parking justification review accounting for increased transit and active transportation options such as cycling, was approved by the Committee of Adjustment on Dec. 6, 2023.Although this is a reduction in parking spaces, there will still be 94 new parking spaces built as part of Phase 1 and the track must be removed. There is no option to retain the track, however, a paved pathway will be put in throughout the greenspace. Building an above or below-ground parking garage is too expensive and would not be ready in time.The good news is that the reduction in parking spaces overall means more greenspace can be saved.It is anticipated that Phase 2 will require an additional 100 parking spaces, but this will be reviewed in more detail once Phase 2 uses of the building are finalized and data on actual parking demand for Phase 1 is available.It is important to note that the City is bound by the same rules that developers must follow and must provide enough parking to meet the needs of the building’s users.When the parking lot was used only by the high school, there was enough parking. Now that there are five community partners using the building, there will be many more visitors and a much higher need for parking.[gallery columns="2" ids="34908,34909"]Upcoming Engagement Opportunities:Greenspace and outdoor use planning and engagementCity staff are preparing to engage with local residents on the use and design of the outdoor greenspace directly behind the community centre and Frontenac Park. City staff have heard the importance of the track from the community. Although it still must be removed, a paved pathway will be put throughout the greenspace. Residents will be able to influence the pathway’s flow and connectivity, and benches and tree placements as well as suggest for the overall uses of the greenspace.City staff are in discussions with the Halton District Catholic School Board for use of the greenspace and playground at Ascension Catholic Elementary School. Details are being finalized but an agreement would see the school’s greenspace redone and accessible to both students and the community.This will add to the total usable greenspace and connectivity of the Robert Bateman Community Centre.More information will be posted at getinvolvedburlington.ca/bateman-highschool once available. Residents can subscribe to this page to have updates delivered to their email.Indoor use engagement:Staff will be using the feedback received from both residents and the business community along with the feedback from council to present some indoor use themes for phase 2. Residents will have the opportunity to share some additional feedback on the themes. The themed spaces can be used by various community groups.More information about this engagement opportunity will be posted at getinvolvedburlington.ca/bateman-highschool once available. Residents can subscribe to this page to have updates delivered to their email.Project Background:The City of Burlington purchased the former Robert Bateman High School building and greenspace maintaining this important community asset in public ownership.With sustainability and community-building in mind, the City of Burlington is repurposing the existing Robert Bateman High School into a City-owned, multi-purpose, community-focused asset that will align with the City’s objective of being net-zero carbon by 2040. The reuse and conversion of the former secondary school will have interior renovations, exterior building changes and site plan modifications as part of Phase 1.When the renovation is complete, community partners such as Brock University, Burlington Public Library, Halton District School Board, Tech Place and City of Burlington will move into the building and begin offering services.Burlington is a city where people, nature and business thrive. Sign up to learn more about Burlington at burlington.ca/subscribe and follow @CityBurlington on social media.
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RELATED LINKS:
- Joint Statement from Mayor & Deputy Mayor for Strategy & Budgets: Joint Statement on Burlington’s 2024 Budget: Focusing on Essentials, Frontline Services & Planning for Future Growth
- City of Burlington News Release: Burlington Council Finalizes Budget Focused on Essentials, Frontline Services & Preparing for Growth
- Previous Investment Highlights: