Santa Claus Parade Route Update
Staff are currently exploring options for an alternative parade route for the 2025 Santa Claus Parade due to anticipated road construction and service disruption along Kingston and Glenanna Roads, as a result of Pickering’s City Centre redevelopment.
As of January 31, 2025, the City has completed the engagement campaign with residents, businesses, and parade participants to both inform residents, and collect feedback, on the proposed changes.
What is the vision for Pickering’s City Centre?
Pickering has long held a vision for a vibrant, walkable City Centre, focused on civic and municipal functions and residential intensification, creating a desirable place to live, work, shop, and gather.
In 2024, Council approved Phase One of the City Centre Project, which consists of a new urban park, located on the west side of Glenanna Road, across from the Pickering Civic Complex. Funding for the City Centre park design was included in the 2024 budget, and construction and related costs will be included in the 2025-2033 Capital forecast. This 1.42 acre space is envisioned to be a lively community gathering hub, and, through the design process, an event space, a water feature, and an outdoor skating rink will be considered.
What is happening to The Shops at Pickering City Centre lands?
CentreCourt, a private developer, is building a 55-acre mixed use community on the existing mall and surrounding lands.
This development will introduce substantial residential, retail, commercial, and public spaces, alongside a completely reinvigorated Pickering Town Centre, now branded ‘The Shops at Pickering City Centre.’
This transformation, coupled with the new City Centre park, will reimagine Pickering’s downtown as a prosperous and inclusive space, making it more diverse, resilient, and vibrant for generations to come.
Furthermore, with hundreds of new residents expected to call City Centre home, we can expect a number of exiting new opportunities for shopping, dining, and entertainment. In fact, Lululemon, the premium athletic apparel retailer, is the latest tenant to sign with the Shops at Pickering City Centre on the tails of this exciting news.
The importance of downtowns for cities
Downtowns play a vital role in economic and social development in cities around the world. Such an investment requires a multi-year process of significant site and infrastructure preparation that may result in delays and inconvenience for residents and visitors to the City Centre.
While revitalization efforts may bring some degree of disruption, the City’s staff project team is committed to working with the related agencies involved to mitigate construction impacts and ensure clear and timely communications related to all service and route adjustments, which is anticipated to start in 2025.
