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Revitalization of the Downtown Square
Estimated Cost
$40 million
Architect
CS&P Architects
Contractor
PCL Constructors
Background
According to the City of Mississauga's Strategic Plan, one of the City's strategic goals is to
build and maintain its infrastructure for its citizens and for generations to come. A sound,
functional and attractive infrastructure is integral in completing its neighbourhoods, as we
build a City for the 21st century.
The City's Civic Square is the premier location for large events, connecting residents and
community groups through arts, culture and heritage. The "My Mississauga" Events
Program including Canada Day attracted over 250,000 residents in 2008.
Existing physical and mechanical infrastructure including the outdoor skating rink,
fountain, waterfall and waterproof membrane are at life expectancy. Constructed as two separate
spaces separated by City Centre Drive, the square is not capable of supporting large events.
Performance infrastructure including stage, sound and lighting are inadequate.
Objectives/Benefits
The City Centre has seen significant residential growth over the past five years creating a
more vibrant downtown. Revitalization of the square has been proposed following extensive
public consultation. An aging infrastructure will be replaced, including the skating rink and
fountain and the Civic Square will be developed as an outdoor community centre with amenities
to support "My Mississauga" cultural and heritage events. Based on the design
concept, the square is expected to achieve recognition as one of the great public spaces in the
Greater Toronto Area (GTA).
The principles of placemaking have been incorporated in the design. The plan provides for
one large square, an interactive water feature converting to a skating rink in winter, a
permanent stage with performance infrastructure, a market area to support cultural events, and
upgrades to the amphitheatre to address deficiencies.
A linear digital media wall in line with the permanent stage will support events, provide
interactive art capability and opportunity for commercial advertising. The design will
incorporate improved access to City Hall and linking of events on the square to the Great Hall
and the Central Library.
Design Concept/Features
One Larger Square
- Link the two squares together by removing sections of existing walls at the southern edge
of the Civic Square and improving the grade transitions by redesigning the steps from the
Square to the City Centre Drive Boulevard
- Redesign City Centre Drive as a street through a pedestrian precinct to serve as a route
that moves vehicular traffic that can be easily closed during event programming
Expansion of the Skating Rink
- Double the size of the existing ice surface on the square and replace the existing outdated
ice refrigeration unit with new dependable ice-making technology to allow a longer skating
season and greater certainty to maintain ice during the season
Interactive Water Feature
- Replace the existing reflecting pool on the Civic Square with a zero-edge water feature,
meaning that the surface of the new water feature will be at the same grade as the surrounding
square, using recessed water jets provided, thereby maximizing flexible use and programming of
the square
Redeveloped Amphitheatre
- Open up the amphitheatre by removing walls that currently separate it from the square and
raising the low floor to connect it with the redesigned square; construct washrooms and a
greenroom to support regular event programming for up to 350 people and install a permanent
shade structure
Large Open Lawn
- Reconfigure the lawn surface on the Central Library Square at a level grade condition with
proper drainage to host activities
Permanent Stage
- Develop a permanent outdoor stage with a sound system at the southern boundary of the
Central Library Square to support My Mississauga event programming and all major event
programming year round. This location would require the removal of the existing water
fountains.
Media Wall
- Install a media wall along the southern boundary of the Central Library Square, which could
incorporate programmable and interactive digital arts
Market Area
- Establish an area for a variety of specialized seasonal open air markets with approximately
40 vending stalls on the Central Library Square (a section of the market area will be protected
by a permanent open-sided roof structure - any new market development would be done in
consultation with the Mississauga Central Lion's Club
For a glimpse of the new Civic Square click on:
Civic Square Project
Overview
Construction Completed
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