The City of Pickering is working to design the new Seaton Recreation Complex & Library, to help meet both the immediate and future needs of Pickering's growing community. 

The new facility will be located at the re-aligned Whitevale Road (future Alexander Knox) & Sideline 24 (future Burkholder Drive).

The Seaton Recreation Complex & Full-Service Library will be Pickering’s first multipurpose recreation complex built in Pickering since the Pickering Recreation Complex (now the Chestnut Hill Developments Recreation Complex) opened in 1983.

Amenities include:

1. Aquatics Centre (with 25-metre, 6-8 lane pool and separate warm water tank)
2. Gymnasium (divisible)
3. Fitness Centre and Studios
4. Full Service Library (with collections, Maker Space, printing centre, small meeting rooms, teen area, children’s area, and work/study spaces)
5. Multi-purpose Program Rooms (various)
6. Arena (2 pads)
7. Walking Track
8. Support Spaces (e.g., lobby, change rooms, office space, storage)
9. Outdoor Spaces (e.g., destination playground, splash pad, sport courts)

The final amenities and functional programs will be guided by the City's Recreation & Parks - Ten Year Plan, the Pickering Public Library's Strategic Plan, and most importantly, community consultation.

Documents:

Get Involved

Visit letstalkpickering.ca/seaton for details.

Timeline

January 2024

  1. Report to Council: Capital Project Priorities - Council identified the Seaton Recreation Complex & Library as the City's highest capital budget priority.
  2. Issue request for pre-qualification of consultant for design of the Seaton Recreation Complex & Library.

April 2024

  1. Issue RFP for design to pre-qualified consultants.
  2. Visioning exercises with key community partners, City Council, and City Staff. 
  3. Report to Council: Progress Update on the Draft Recreation & Parks – Ten Year Plan

June 2024

  1. Report to Council: Approval of consultant for design of the Seaton Recreation Complex & Library. 
  2. Council to endorse the functional program for the facility and the community engagement program for its design. 
  3. Report to Council: Approval of the Draft Recreation & Parks - Ten Year Plan

July to September 2024

  • Prepare three design concepts based on the functional program.

October 2024

  • Community engagement on the three proposed design concepts.

December 2024

  • Report to Council: Summary of feedback from community engagement on the three proposed design concepts.

2025

  1. Detailed design.
  2. Report to Council - Approval of general contractor for the construction of the Seaton Recreation Complex & Library.

Spring 2026

Construction starts.

Spring 2029

New facility opens to the public. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the new Seaton Recreation Complex & Library needed?

Pickering is a rapidly growing community currently in transformation.  By 2042, Pickering’s population is expected to grow to 185,044 – growth of 85% (Envision Durham, Official Plan), making the community one of the fastest growing municipalities in Ontario.

The need for a new recreation complex to support this growth was identified in the 2017 Recreation and Parks Master Plan.

The new amenities that will be included in the Complex will be based on feedback received from over 3,000 persons who were consulted for the development of the Recreation and Parks – 10 Year Plan in 2023. Consultation included 20 sports and recreation organizations representing over 5,500 members.

Where will the Seaton Recreation Complex & Library be located?

The new Complex will be located at the southeast corner of  the re-aligned Whitevale Road (future Alexander Knox) & Sideline 24 (future Burkholder Drive).

How big is the land where the complex is being built?

The property is approximately 25 acres, which is about the area of about 19 football fields.

When is construction expected to begin?

Construction is expected to begin in Spring 2026 and is anticipated to open in Fall 2028.

Is the new Complex going to be environmentally friendly?

The Seaton Recreation Complex and Library will be targeting Net-Zero Carbon Design standards, as set out by the Canadian Green Building Council, as a basis of design.  

Will the building be designed to meet current accessibility standards?

Yes, the building design will meet or exceed the requirements of the Ontario Building Code (OBC) and Ontario with Disabilities Act (AODA). The City of Pickering’s Accessibility Advisory Committee will be consulted at various stages of the design for review and input.

Will the Complex include greenspace and outdoor amenities?

Yes. The full extent of outdoor amenities will depend on the portion of lands required to accommodate indoor uses, remaining balance of available lands on the site and be subject to feedback from stakeholders and public consultation.