By Sean Delaney
Get ready, Emery Village—something big is coming.
On the morning of Friday, June 13th, shovels hit the ground at 60 Starview Lane as Mayor Olivia Chow, Councillor Anthony Perruzza, MPP Tom Rakocevic, school trustees, and dozens of community members gathered to officially break ground on the long-awaited Western North York Community Centre.
Hosted in partnership with St. Basil-the-Great Catholic School, the ceremony marked a major milestone for the Humberlea and Emery communities—one that’s been years in the making.
“This community and recreation centre is a significant milestone,” said Mayor Chow. “It’s a beautiful example of how we’re building smarter, greener, and more inclusive spaces.”
Councillor Perruzza, who has championed the project from the beginning, spoke with emotion about its personal importance.
“For over a decade, we’ve been working to bring something meaningful here,” said Perruzza. “This isn’t just a recreation centre—it’s a symbol of what can happen when people push for change together. We’re building a place where children can learn to swim, where seniors can stay active, and where families from every walk of life can come together.”
MPP Tom Rakocevic called the project “a win for our riding and for future generations,” applauding the collaboration between the City, Province, and both public and Catholic school boards.
Dozens of local residents came out to witness the groundbreaking, including Lucy Catania and her Wednesday seniors art class, many of whom currently participate in programs at the aging Carmine Stefano Community Centre. For them, this groundbreaking was more than ceremonial—it was the beginning of a long-hoped-for, modern community space where they can gather, stay active, and keep learning.
When complete, the new 77,000-square-foot facility will offer something for all ages, with accessibility and sustainability at its core.
The main level will feature a six-lane, 25-metre lap pool and a warm leisure pool for all ages and abilities, along with modern change rooms and a fully equipped teaching kitchen for events and programs. A key element is the licensed childcare centre with 62 full-time spaces—part of Toronto’s Child Care Growth Strategy.
Upstairs, the second floor will include a multi-sport gymnasium, two bright fitness and dance studios, and an indoor walking track. There will also be a multimedia room, a STEM learning lab, and a modern computer centre to support digital literacy and youth engagement.
“There’s a long waitlist for affordable, high-quality early learning,” said Mayor Chow. “With this centre, we’re opening doors for working families.”
Catholic School Trustee Ida Li Preti called the groundbreaking “a dream realized,” highlighting the unique partnership between the Toronto Catholic District School Board and the City of Toronto.
“This is about more than infrastructure—it’s about relationships,” she said, referring to the shared land and programming between the community centre and St. Basil-the-Great.
Dr. Brendan Browne, Director of Education for the Catholic board, echoed that sentiment: “From shared facilities to year-round community access, this partnership shows what’s possible when schools and neighbourhoods unite.”
Matias de Dovitiis of the Toronto District School Board, who previously served as Chief of Staff to Councillor Perruzza, was also in attendance and personally thanked for his years of behind-the-scenes work helping coordinate efforts between the City, school boards, and local stakeholders.
Notably, the centre is being built as a net-zero energy facility—one of only two of its kind in Canada. With over $10 million invested in green design, features like rooftop solar panels, high-efficiency HVAC, smart lighting, and advanced insulation will reduce energy use and long-term operating costs.
“This is good for the environment, good for taxpayers, and good for the future of public infrastructure,” said Mayor Chow.
Pomerleau Inc. has been awarded the construction contract, with the centre expected to open in the winter of 2028.
Councillor Perruzza, who also serves as Chair of the Emery Village BIA, closed the ceremony by thanking residents and partners who never gave up on the project.
“Projects like this don’t happen overnight,” he said. “It took years of community advocacy, partnership, and determination. And now, we get to watch it take shape—right here in the heart of Humberlea. This will be a place where generations connect, where stories are shared, and where everyone belongs.”
The Western North York Community Centre is on its way—built one beam, one brick, and one shared purpose at a time.
