from Daily Commercial News:....up to $1 Billion Dollar development, biggest in Toronto since amalgamation??..
- a Canal?? A 6500 Seat Live Entertainment Venue?? Who knew????
Woodbine Entertainment Group bets big on new development
Billion-dollar investment a win for 7,700 construction industry-related jobs
VINCE VERSACE
staff writer
Woodbine Live, a new $750 million entertainment district development near Woodbine Racetrack, will result in thousands of construction jobs, says the site’s owner and developer.
The 112-hectare site near the racetrack will be developed at a cost of $750 million to $1 billion.
The development is Toronto’s single largest development application since amalgamation and will roll out in two phases.
Project officials estimate the development will create 4,700 construction jobs and nearly 3,000 construction related jobs.
Approximately 10,000 new permanent jobs will be created when both phases of the project are completed.
“Woodbine Live is the type of entertainment tourism development Woodbine Entertainment Group has been seeking for years,” said Jane Holmes, Woodbine vice president of corporate affairs. “The myriad of entertainment options that will be available on-site are synergistic with the existing horse racing and gaming activities.”
Entertainment venues, a hotel, multiple theatre complex, and restaurants are all features of Woodbine Live.
A 400-metre canal will be the site’s main spine for its various themed blocks. The canal will be a water feature in the summer and skating path in winter.
Official plan and zoning approvals have been granted by the City of Toronto and the project is going through other municipal approval processes.
It is not known when tenders will be issued at this time, said Holmes. It is also too early to detail any “green build” elements in the development’s construction, she says.
“Woodbine Racetrack already has a strong record for environmental initiatives. Woodbine Live will continue this tradition of environmental stewardship,” said Holmes. “As detailed design work has not yet begun, it is unknown what structures will be built to LEED standards.”
The first phase of the development will include a 450 room hotel and meeting facilities with a pool oasis area, 6,500 seat live entertainment venue, multiplex theatre complex, mix of restaurants and entertainment retail and office uses.
The second phase will be a residential district with approximately 2,500 units in the northwest portion of the Woodbine Live site and a “midtown-office neighbourhood” adjacent to the entertainment district, said Holmes.
The Cordish Company, based in Baltimore, has partnered with Woodbine to develop the project.
“Woodbine Live is an incredible location within the GTA. We view this site as a blank canvas which allows us to be very creative in developing a revitalization project, that will be an economic catalyst to stimulate the local economy,” said Taylor Gray, Cordish Company development director.
, this is my neighbourhood so i find this topic very interesting 
