Contacts
In 2018, the City of Pickering initiated a project to renovate components of the Chestnut Hill Developments Recreation Complex. The facility originally opened its doors in 1983, and 37 years later, many of its components, systems, and key amenities are aging and in need of a substantial retrofit.
Following a concept design and extensive community engagement, the City is now ready to begin its phased construction.
Completing construction under the current COVID-19 health and safety measures, while facility occupancy is significantly reduced, will minimize disruption to users and operations. The City looks forward to returning a newly-renovated CHDRC to our community in late 2021.
Current Service Impacts |
January 23, 2021Beginning January 23, 2021, and throughout the construction project, the Cardio Room equipment will be relocated to the east and west salon to ensure ongoing operation. Users can easily access the salons from the Banquet Hall exterior entrance doors located on the west side of CHDRC. Similarly, to comply with bather requirements as per the Region of Durham, lane and open swim will be available exclusively at Dunbarton Indoor Pool (CHDRC pool will be closed). Once again, these operational changes will take effect on January 23, 2021 (or when permitted to reopen under the provincial guidelines) until the grand reopening of CHDRC, anticipated to occur in December 2021.
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Renovation Details |
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The scope of the project includes a complete gut renovation of the existing male and female change rooms for both members and non-members, extension of the second floor exercise area and related improvements, upgrades to existing finishes throughout the ground floor of the lobby and concourse and consolidation of existing service counters into a single point of service. Additional related work such as lifecycle water main replacements and upgrades to building life safety systems have been incorporated for efficiency. Additional details on change room renovationsThe public change rooms will be combined into a single universal change room and linked with the existing family change room to create a new single suite. All changing will occur in private change cubicles with zero-sightline partitions to ensure privacy for all patrons. Several universal washrooms will be included in the suite, which is intended for use by all patrons, regardless of age or gender and will meet all current accessibility regulations. Two new members change rooms will also be created, sharing access to a new accessible-entry whirlpool, steam and dry saunas. Space constraints made it impossible to provide these amenities in each suite. They will be located in a common access area visible from the pool deck to ensure the visibility and safety of patrons. The common amenity space will remain limited to use by members only. |
Project Timeline |
Project milestones to date
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Project Updates |
January 23, 2021Phased construction begins. January 2019The City held an Open House with the Architectural, Engineering and Landscape Design consultant to reveal schematic designs and gather public input. October 2018The City conducted a survey to gather feedback from the community and facility users on their preferences for the Recreation Complex improvements. The survey was available to complete from October 2018 – January 2019. View a summary of the results. |
Frequently Asked Questions |
1. Why does the facility need an upgrade?The Chestnut Hill Developments Recreation Complex (CHDRC) originally opened its doors in 1983. Thirty-seven years later, many of the building’s components, systems and key amenities are aging and in need of a substantial retrofit. Recreation facility design and regulatory requirements have changed substantially since this facility was opened and this project will, where possible, address user expectations for a functional and inviting facility. Notable changes include accessibility requirements in the Building Code and regulations made under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, and more recent changes in universal design to address the requirements of Human Rights legislation. While the facility undergone a series of superficial face lifts to its core public areas and amenities, it has never undergone a full renovation, which would normally be expected to occur in the 25-30 year range, as many major building systems and components have reached end of life. 2. What elements of the existing Recreation Complex are being renovated?The scope of the project includes a complete gut renovation of the existing male and female change rooms for both members and non-members, extension of the second floor exercise area and related improvements, upgrades to existing finishes throughout the ground floor of the lobby and concourse and consolidation of existing service counters into a single point of service. Additional related work such as lifecycle water main replacements and upgrades to building life safety systems have been incorporated for efficiency. Additional details on change room renovations The public change rooms will be combined into a single universal change room and linked with the existing family change room to create a new single suite. All changing will occur in private change cubicles with zero-sightline partitions to ensure privacy for all patrons. Several universal washrooms will be included in the suite, which is intended for use by all patrons, regardless of age or gender and will meet all current accessibility regulations. Two new members change rooms will also be created, sharing access to a new accessible-entry whirlpool, steam and dry saunas. Space constraints made it impossible to provide these amenities in each suite. They will be located in a common access area visible from the pool deck to ensure the visibility and safety of patrons. The common amenity space will remain limited to use by members only. 3. How will you minimize disruption to service?The work has been sequenced in phases to reduce disruptions to ongoing operations. Allowances have been included in the tender for the completion of particularly disruptive activities outside of normal operating hours. |