Update on Robert Bateman Community Centre

The City of Burlington’s newest community centre, the Robert Bateman Community Centre, is progressing on time and on budget towards an opening in 2025.

Progress and milestones achieved to date:

• The name for the Robert Bateman Community Centre was chosen with support of resident feedback, Mr. Bateman and approved by City Council.
• Three in-person visioning engagement sessions and one virtual visioning engagement session was held for the use of the indoor space.
• Residents also had the opportunity to provide visioning feedback at the Appleby Line Street Festival and the Food for Feedback event. Each event was very well attended.
• Demolition and asbestos removal work is approximately 95 per cent completed.
• Structural foundations and backfill completed at the south end and structural steel framing at south facade nearly complete.
• Interior second floor renovation progressing well with steel framing, HVAC, plumbing, electrical, drywall and insulation being installed.

Parking and track update

The City of Burlington’s application for a reduction of 41 parking spaces at Robert Bateman Community Centre, based on a parking justification review accounting for increased transit and active transportation options such as cycling, was approved by the Committee of Adjustment on Dec. 6, 2023.

Although this is a reduction in parking spaces, there will still be 94 new parking spaces built as part of Phase 1 and the track must be removed. There is no option to retain the track, however, a paved pathway will be put in throughout the greenspace. Building an above or below-ground parking garage is too expensive and would not be ready in time.

The good news is that the reduction in parking spaces overall means more greenspace can be saved.

It is anticipated that Phase 2 will require an additional 100 parking spaces, but this will be reviewed in more detail once Phase 2 uses of the building are finalized and data on actual parking demand for Phase 1 is available with a report to Council.

It is important to note that the City is bound by the same rules that developers must follow and must provide enough parking to meet the needs of the building’s users.

When the parking lot was used only by the high school, there was enough parking. Now that there are five community partners using the building, there will be many more visitors and a much higher need for parking.

Upcoming Engagement Opportunities:

Greenspace and outdoor use planning and engagement

City staff are preparing to engage with local residents on the use and design of the outdoor greenspace directly behind the community centre and Frontenac Park. City staff have heard the importance of the track from the community. Although it still must be removed, a paved pathway will be put throughout the greenspace. Residents will be able to influence the pathway’s flow and connectivity, and benches and tree placements as well as suggest for the overall uses of the greenspace.

City staff are in discussions with the Halton District Catholic School Board for use of the greenspace and playground at Ascension Catholic Elementary School. Details are being finalized but an agreement would see the school’s greenspace redone and accessible to both students and the community.

This will add to the total usable greenspace and connectivity of the Robert Bateman Community Centre.

More information will be posted at getinvolvedburlington.ca/bateman-highschool once available. Residents can subscribe to this page to have updates delivered to their email.

Indoor use engagement

Staff will be using the feedback received from both residents and the business community along with the feedback from council to present some indoor use themes for phase 2.  Residents will have the opportunity to share some additional feedback on the themes. The themed spaces can be used by various community groups.

More information about this engagement opportunity will be posted at getinvolvedburlington.ca/bateman-highschool once available. Residents can subscribe to this page to have updates delivered to their email.

Background

The City of Burlington purchased the former Robert Bateman High School building and greenspace maintaining this important community asset in public ownership.

With sustainability and community-building in mind, the City of Burlington is repurposing the existing Robert Bateman High School into a City-owned, multi-purpose, community-focused asset that will align with the City’s objective of being net-zero carbon by 2040. The reuse and conversion of the former secondary school will have interior renovations, exterior building changes and site plan modifications as part of Phase 1.

When the renovation is complete, community partners such as Brock University, Burlington Public Library, Halton District School Board, Tech Place and City of Burlington will move into the building and begin offering services.

Burlington is a city where people, nature and business thrive. Sign up to learn more about Burlington at burlington.ca/subscribe and follow @CityBurlington on social media.

Quotes

Mayor Marianne Meed Ward

“The new Robert Bateman Community Centre will be a public service to Burlington. Once this building is complete and our community partners have moved in, it will be an amazing place for people, students and local organizations to learn and connect. Acting as a hub for our whole city, this will be a welcoming space for residents from across Burlington to enjoy. The population of our city is growing and a community centre of this size – the largest in Burlington – helps add to a great quality of life for residents and create a space for innovation and education to thrive. While we anticipate members of our community will be disappointed in the removal of the track at the current site, the new design for the area will feature pathways throughout the beautiful greenspace, encouraging visitors to the facility to enjoy the outdoors. The Robert Bateman CC is a key investment from our 2024 budget and is one of three new community facility investments for Burlington’s future. I look forward to hearing more from our community members and their feedback on the upcoming engagement opportunities.”

Allan Magi, Executive Director, Environment, Infrastructure and Community Services

“With public engagement and careful site planning, our teams are working on solutions that address the community's needs and meet all building standards. The paved pathway throughout the greenspace and connecting to the Ascension Catholic Elementary School can be used by people wanting to run, walk or access the site from the adjacent neighbourhood.

Links and Resources

getinvolvedburlington.ca/bateman-highschool

-30-