Cooksville sign unveiled in ‘dynamic’ Mississauga community

As symbols of a community’s makeover go, the 20-foot-high Cooksville sign is hard to miss.

The ribbon-cutting for the sign, which Ward 7 Coun. Dipika Damerla has championed since 2019, was held on Monday (Feb. 21) as part of Family Day festivities in the city. It is located at the southeast corner of Hurontario and Dundas streets near the transit hub where thousands of Mississaugans make connections every day while using GO Transit or MiWay.

“This beautiful sign is another step in remaking Cooksville,” Coun. Damerla said last week in a statement on her website. “It is about building public spaces with a little zip and fun.”

Cooksvile is changing. Unveiling of Landmark@sign in Cooksvile. Thank you @DaskoWard1 @Chris_Fonseca3 @JohnKovac4 @carolynhparrish @CarlsonGeorge @PaulMitcham for coming out to the opening!! pic.twitter.com/ulZv67Im1V

— Dipika Damerla (@DipikaDamerla) February 21, 2022

City manager and chief administrative officer Paul Mitcham also attended the ribbon-cutting, along with city councillors George Carlson (Ward 11), Stephen Dasko (1), Chris Fonseca (3), John Kovac (4), Carolyn Parrish (5).

Mayor Bonnie Crombie called the landmark “a beautiful sign for a changing and dynamic community.”

A beautiful sign for a changing and dynamic community like #Cooksville.

Congrats to @DipikaDamerla on leading this great initiative! https://t.co/7MAX60Cy0T

— Bonnie Crombie 🇨🇦 (@BonnieCrombie) February 23, 2022

Cooksville, which has an estimated population of 36,000, used to be a central crossroads hub in Mississauga and Peel Region. At one time, it housed city hall, a central library branch and fire department and two school board offices. However, as Mississauga grew, it became a bit of an afterthought in the city. The Vision Cooksville project, which was completed in 2016, laid out a revitalization strategy that was predicated on making Cooksville a transit hub with walkable streets, more open spaces and parks.

Damerla added that the sign will have four themes that will be displayed throughout the year. A holiday theme is currently on display. The other themes are summer, fall and historic Cooksville. The community initially formed in the early 19th century, adopting its name in 1836.

(Cover photo via Dipika Damerla.)