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Despite its relatively diminutive size, Wallace Emerson Park and its eponymous Community Centre have been central enough to life in the Dupont-Dufferin area of Toronto's West End that the surrounding neighbourhood has taken on the name of the two streets the park and facility are named for; Wallace Avenue running four blocks south of the park, and Emerson Avenue running one block west of the park.
North of the park was the site of the Galleria Mall, only a portion of which remains for the moment as it is gradually redeveloped by Almadev into the mixed-use Galleria on the Park community. UrbanToronto has covered the construction of the first phases there on a number of occasions, most recently with the first two towers welcoming their first residents. The Galleria on the Park project will eventually feature eight mixed-use towers with extensive retail at ground level, while its residents — and those of the surrounding neighbourhood — will also benefit from an enlarged Wallace Emerson Park, and a new Wallace Emerson Community Centre.
The new community centre, designed by Perkins&Will, is being built in the new northwest corner of the park — currently appearing as a big blank, light gray area on the aerial image above — while the park, enlarged following a donation by Almadev of 10% of the 7.8 acre Galleria on the Park site to the City, will be entirely reworked with new outdoor recreational facilities and landscaping designed by Public Work.
The 90,000 ft² centre has been quickly taking shape over the last year. Looking southeast across Dupont Street in May, 2024, the skeletal steel framework showcases the early stages of the indoor pool area, while the concrete walls of a taller three storey section are visible further south. Adjacent to the east (left) are the glass-clad towers of Galleria 01 & 02.
With a lot of work having progressed over the Summer, with Fall upon us, installation of the community centre's skin is underway, caught below in October marked by green and white weatherproofing.
As part of the new facilities, a smaller second building is being built to the east of the main building, called the Field House. It has been progressing too, is angular upper section now clad in weatherproofing, while black sheathing below serves as another protective layer before the final cladding is applied. At ground level, glazing has been installed, seen between the construction eqipment parked in the forefront. The Field House will include amenities such as a skate rental shop and snack bar associated with a rebuilt outdoor rink in the park.
The aerial view below, captured in November, 2024, looks southwest between the two angular pavilions — the Field House to the left, and the Community Centre to the right — that frame a 'Public Forum' area with their complementary shapes. Construction materials are staged in between the facilities. Further back, a BMX/skate park, with dirt mounds in a circular configuration, is gradually coming together.
Most recently, the south-facing facade of the community centre has seen its first glazing installed at grade, with darkly tinted glass panels framed by black mullions. Above, the second-floor windows are temporarily covered with protective tarps while they await installation. Further above, rows of metal brackets prepare the surface for the application of the green-glazed terracotta cladding that will eventually define the building's completed facade.
Back beside Dupont Street at the north end again and looking toward the pool area, construction crews are seen installing large window sections. A mobile crane equipped with a vacuum lifter — designed to safely handle and position oversized glass panels — is assisting the operation.
Above, the exterior wall is lined with insulation, also awaiting the green-glazed terracotta panels. As construction on the Galleria on the Park community continues to its north, the Wallace Emerson Community Centre is targeted for opening in Fall, 2025.
UrbanToronto will continue to follow progress on this development, but in the meantime, you can learn more about it from our Database file, linked below. If you'd like, you can join in on the conversation in the associated Project Forum thread or leave a comment in the space provided on this page.
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