Community centre and library will close for 3 years in Mississauga

A popular community centre and library in Mississauga’s west end is closing to the public for three years starting today to allow for $61 million in major renovations and upgrades.

South Common Community Centre and Library, which opened in 1981, is shutting its doors so work can begin on a number of significant projects including an expanded fitness space and a new aquatics centre.

City of Mississauga officials said in an online project update “construction is estimated to take approximately two-and-a-half years, with the facility planned to reopen in summer 2027.”

Officials overseeing the major overhaul of the 43-year-old Erin Mills-area complex took their design plans to the public last year for feedback.

And now the shovel is about to go into the ground for what they call an “exciting redevelopment that will ensure the programs and services offered continue to meet the needs of the community.”

Additionally, they noted, the renovations are expected to “improve infrastructure to address population growth and changing demographics in the area.”

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The work will be completed using environmentally friendly building standards, the city said, as well as with greater accessibility in mind.

Rendering of the new aquatics centre.

City officials said in their project update that in order to maintain “beautiful and inviting spaces where people of all ages come to spend quality time together, occasionally our facilities need to close to ensure (they) remain up-to-date and include features that respond to and support community needs.”

They added that while the community centre is closed, residents can continue to enjoy programs and activities at neighbouring facilities. 

Improvements to the library, expanded fitness spaces, a new aquatics centre and a new gymnasium are all part of the South Common project. The library’s expansion will see an extra 16,000 square feet that will include multi-purpose rooms, officials said.

In summer 2021, the city received $45 million from the provincial government to put toward the upgrades at South Common. Mississauga is adding its own $16 million to the massive project. 

South Common Community Centre was built more than 40 years ago and has remained largely unchanged over the decades. It serves as a hub of community activities for Erin Mills and west Mississauga, especially since it has a close connection to South Common Mall. 

An expansion of both indoor and outdoor fitness spaces as well as the aquatics area has been long sought by the community. 

The project calls for:

• new aquatics centre with a 25-metre, six-lane pool, warm water therapy pool and new change rooms
• new gymnasium
• new equipment-based fitness centre with cardio machines and weights, a fitness studio with wood-sprung floor, in addition to a walking track, two squash courts and sauna
• new updated library with a larger children’s area, small meeting rooms, comfortable lounge seating and reading area, new design computers, digital photography tools and quiet/group study spaces
• new tennis courts
• new outdoor spray pad and picnic shade structure
• improved connection to South Common Centre bus terminal

Rendering of new library.

South Common Community Centre and Library prior to start of renovations.

(All renderings from the City of Mississauga)