Scarborough lands Toronto’s first net-zero community centre

Toronto’s first net-zero community centre has opened in Scarborough’s Morningside Heights, and it’s a beauty. The 94,000-square-foot Rouge Valley Community Recreation and Child Care Centre is located in Joyce Trimmer Park, at Sheppard Avenue and Conlins Road.

Standout features include a 25-metre-long swimming pool and a full-size gymnasium that can convert into an indoor cricket pitch—the first of its kind for a city building. There’s also a child care centre that can accommodate up to 62 kids as well as studios for fitness and dance. In the park, locals will find a new skatepark, a mini soccer field, a basketball court and a playground.

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The city first released plans for the centre in 2018, with construction beginning in 2022. It’s designed to operate entirely on electricity and includes solar panels on its roof and walls. Minimal greenhouse gases were emitted during its construction, according to the city.

“The Rouge Valley Recreation Centre has something for everyone,” Mayor Olivia Chow said in a statement. “It brings people together. I am especially proud that it includes the city’s first indoor cricket pitch, which reflects the sports, cultures and passions that make Scarborough the vibrant community it is.”

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Chow was in attendance during an official ribbon-cutting ceremony on November 20, though local kids and families have been enjoying the centre since October 6.