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Construction is advancing at Dufferin and Dupont on Toronto's new Wallace Emerson Park, Community Centre & Child Care Centre, taking shape through the Galleria on the Park masterplanned community development from Almadev. As this new mixed-use neighbourhood continues to take shape, with thousands of residents already calling Galleria home, the addition of these major public amenities will further strengthen Galleria on the Park as one of Toronto’s most complete and connected communities.
Along with significant new housing, the project is bringing expanded parkland and new recreation facilities to this West End neighbourhood, with construction scheduled to be completed latest this year. Designed by Perkins&Will, the new facilities are being delivered through a coordinated effort between Almadev and the City of Toronto, and include a purpose-built child care centre.
This new community centre is also over triple the size of the existing Wallace Emerson Community Centre, and will serve more of Toronto's West End community members.
Work on both the community centre and fieldhouse has moved into the later stages of enclosure, with teal-toned terracotta panels now covering most elevations, while roofing systems are also largely in place. Park construction is occurring in parallel, with grading, pathways, and new planting zones taking shape along the laneway and edges of the site.
In August, 2025, green roof sections and the rooftop solar array neared completion atop the main pavilion, while waterproofing work continued in the pool basin below. Interior finishing accelerated as tiles, wall systems, and first coats of paint were applied throughout the main building while the fieldhouse saw similar momentum, its exterior enclosure advancing alongside mechanical and electrical tie-ins. At the south end of the park, the concrete bowls of the BMX and skate area moved ever closer to completion.
By September, 2025, both pavilions were nearly sealed, allowing testing to begin on the building systems following the establishment of permanent power. Rows of solar panels stretched across the community centre roof, and the atrium interior unveiled its circular skylight and main stair as finishing advanced on upper levels. Landscape work expanded along the laneway and surrounding park edges.
October, 2025 brought further enclosure of the community centre and fieldhouse, with elevator installation advancing and interior rooms receiving additional layers of finishes. Pool waterproofing remained active as tiling and painting progressed throughout the recreation and support spaces.
The main pavilion is organized around a full aquatics hall, a double-height gym, and a running track encircling on its mezzanine level. Above, an outdoor running track also circles the rooftop. Dance and fitness studios are located on the upper level, while a series of multi-purpose rooms with kitchen and kitchenette access provide flexible space for programs and community events. The atrium’s skylit core connects these areas through a broad lobby, circulation routes, administrative offices, and support rooms, with change areas, storage zones, and service spaces distributed throughout the building. The new child care facility is planned as an inclusive space with dedicated rooms for 32 preschoolers, 20 toddlers, and 10 infants. Its program is supported by outdoor play zones.
Opposite the main pavilion, the fieldhouse is designed to support year-round park activity with a snack bar and kitchen, a skate sharpening room, and changing areas fitted with accessible and universal washrooms. Utility and storage rooms are positioned to serve the skating loop and shinny pad that thread through the park, while adjacent outdoor areas accommodate a multi-use court, basketball hoops, the BMX and skateboard park, and a new splash pad.
New plantings are being introduced across the site, with several of the existing mature trees being retained. The redesigned park will also feature upgraded lighting, custom seating, and new outdoor furniture along the expanded pathway network.
The park’s pathway network will continue the long-running “Walk Here” initiative led by local artist and community advocate Dyan Marie. Bronze medallions, student drawings cast in metal, mosaics made from reclaimed materials, and internationally donated tiles form the foundation of this legacy.
As construction nears completion, the new Wallace Emerson Park and community facilities will soon become an integral part of Galleria on the Park's growing neighbourhood, enhancing everyday life for current residents and for future homeowners, with select suites still available for purchase.
The emerging facilities sit opposite the completed Galleria 1 & 2 towers. To the east, the 31-storey Galleria III tower is under construction, with occupancy planned for next year and suites still available for purchase.
Construction of the new centre remains on course to be completed in Summer 2026.
UrbanToronto will continue to follow progress on these developments, but in the meantime, you can learn more about them from our Database files, linked below. If you'd like, you can join in on the conversations in the associated Project Forum threads or leave a comment in the space provided on this page.
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