Pickering secures new $1 million naming rights agreement

Pickering, ON, July 2, 2025 – During last night’s Canada Day celebrations, the City of Pickering proudly announced that the highly-anticipated Pickering Heritage & Community Centre will be named the Dorsay Community & Heritage Centre, following a naming rights agreement.

This $1 million, 15-year agreement was approved at the City’s June 23, 2025 Council Meeting. While the facility is not yet open to the public, this announcement marks a significant milestone in its development.

Located on the upper site of the Pickering Museum Village at 2365 6th Concession Road, the 44,000 square-foot facility is scheduled to open in spring 2026. Once open, this dynamic space will offer an impressive array of amenities, including:

• An exhibit gallery
• A multi-purpose hall
• A kitchen, suitable for public programs
• A Library Express Kiosk and Local History Experience Centre
• Collections storage
• A gift shop
• Outdoor program spaces

With its distinctive architecture and picturesque setting, the facility will also present exciting opportunities for private rentals, making it an ideal venue for weddings, celebrations, corporate functions, and other milestone events.

As part of the naming rights agreement, the name ‘Dorsay Community & Heritage Centre’ will be prominently displayed on the building’s exterior, with a dedicated Dorsay-branded meeting room, and interior recognition within the facility.

“We are proud to secure this naming rights agreement with Dorsay Development Corporation,” said Mayor Kevin Ashe. “Naming rights partnerships provide a creative, fiscally responsible way to generate alternative revenue, allowing the City to invest in core services and programs community members depend on. This agreement reflects Pickering’s commitment to financial sustainability and economic leadership, and supports our broader vision of a connected, prosperous, and inclusive city. As Pickering’s first new community centre in decades, we look forward to providing year-round access to diverse programs, services, and cultural experiences that reflect the needs of the growing community.”

Dorsay has led a number of real estate projects, including proposed developments in the new community of Northeast Pickering, which is envisioned as a complete community with both residential and employment areas. This new facility will serve as a vital hub for future residents of these emerging neighbourhoods, bringing community, connection, and culture to the very area Dorsay is helping to shape. 

“Dorsay is honoured to support a space that will celebrate Pickering’s past while helping shape its future,” says Geoffrey Grayhurst, CEO of Dorsay Development Corporation. “As we continue to help build Northeast Pickering into a thriving, complete community, we see the Dorsay Community & Heritage Centre as a cornerstone of connection - a place where stories are shared, culture is celebrated, and neighbours come together.”

Visit LetsTalkPickering.ca/DCHC to learn more and subscribe for updates.

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As the gateway to the east GTA, Pickering (population 118,000) is strategically located where Toronto, York and Durham Regions meet. An award-winning municipality, Pickering is slated for significant economic and residential growth; offering an unparalleled quality of life for those who live, work, and play here. Its dynamic City Centre has been designated by the Province of Ontario as both an Urban Growth Centre and Mobility Hub, and continues to evolve as a preferred destination for creative learning, memorable events, and unique experiences at the heart of a vibrant, connected, and engaged community.