Residents fight to save trees as $61M community centre reno proceeds in Mississauga

Hundreds of residents in Mississauga’s west end have joined forces in an attempt to save dozens of mature trees slated to be cut down to make way for a renovated community centre and library.

Some 250 signatures appear on a petition asking the City of Mississauga to find a way to spare 31 “mature, healthy trees” as it moves forward with its $61-million plan to renovate and upgrade South Common Community Centre and Library.

The petition, circulated via a community effort to “Save the South Common Woodlot,” will be officially presented to Mississauga city council at its meeting on Wednesday morning.

The community centre closed to the public on June 17 and won’t reopen until major renovations and additions are completed in summer 2027.

One part of the massive project calls for the removal of the 31 trees on the south side of the facility in order to make way for a more desirable entranceway.

The petition noted those trees represent about 40 per cent of all trees in the woodlot.

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“Essentially, the plan (is) to destroy these trees to make a crooked entranceway straight,” reads the petition, which goes on to push the city to “refrain from destroying any part of the woodlot on the south side” of the community centre.

The petition also asks that the city “create an alternate entranceway that will still allow best design practices without destroying this essential tree canopy.”

In presenting the petition to city council, residents referenced the city’s “Tree Cities of the World” designation by the United Nations earlier this year. At the time, residents said, city officials noted that “trees are essential in fighting climate change and making Mississauga a livable city.”

Rendering of what a renovated South Common Community Centre and Library will look like.

South Common Community Centre and Library, which opened in 1981, shut its doors on June 17 so work can begin on a number of significant projects including an expanded fitness space and a new aquatics centre.

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 in 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.”

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 an earlier 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.”

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. 

Rendering of new library.

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

(All photos and renderings from the City of Mississauga)