The Seaton Recreation Complex & Library has entered the detailed design stage, moving Pickering's largest new community amenity in decades one step closer to construction. According to a City of Pickering project page, the project will be tendered for construction in spring 2027 through a competitive bidding process, with staff then presenting the tender results to Council for consideration.
The total estimated project cost is $266.365 million, net of HST, in 2026 dollars. That figure includes previously awarded design work, contingencies and other related costs, and was endorsed when Council advanced the project to detailed design at a special meeting on September 29, 2025.
A first in more than 40 years
The City describes the facility as the first of its kind in more than 40 years, and says it will complement the Chestnut Hill Developments Recreation Complex, strengthen Pickering's library branch network, and ease pressure on recreation facilities across the city.
City officials say existing recreation and library facilities are in extremely high demand, with long waiting lists, peak-hour crowding, and residents travelling farther than they would like for basic programs.
The growth driving the need is substantial. Pickering's population is forecast to rise by 45 percent by 2034, spurred by new development in central Pickering and intensification in the City Centre.
What the facility will include
The approved schematic design includes pools, NHL-sized ice pads, a fitness centre, a gymnasium and a full-service library. Outdoor amenities are also planned, including basketball, skateboarding and pickleball facilities.
The City says the complex is intended to serve as a gathering place for the whole community, with modern recreation, leisure and library amenities accessible to all residents.
A winding path to design approval
The project's route to this stage has not been entirely smooth. At an April 22, 2025 special meeting, Council received the findings of a public engagement process on the facility's design, and the project was placed on pause pending a staff update in September 2025.
That September, Council also considered a report recommending up to $250,000 in additional design work, funded from the project contingency, to develop an alternative design with a reduced cost of no more than $200 million. Council voted against that recommendation, keeping the project on its current course.
Earlier milestones included the selection of an architect in July 2024, a public consultation on the design in October 2024, and a semi-annual construction status report in December 2024.
The next municipal election is scheduled for Monday, October 26, 2026, meaning the Council that reviews the spring 2027 tender results will include members chosen in this month's vote. Information for voters is available at pickering.ca/vote, according to the City.
The City has also published a news post on the project's tax impact for residents, and additional background, reports and contacts are available through the Let's Talk Pickering platform.
