Plans in place for massive urban build at Woodbine
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Thousands of new homes planned for what is called largest parcel of undeveloped land in Toronto
There is a huge development project about to get underway in northwest Toronto on a sprawling 684-acre parcel of land following a recent announcement from Metrolinx that construction of a new GO station adjacent to Woodbine Racetrack has officially begun.
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The racetrack is not moving and in fact, plans call for it to be the epicenter of an initiative that will see the area totally transformed.
According to Woodbine Entertainment, which is spearheading the ambitious initiative on what is the largest parcel of undeveloped land left in the city of Toronto, “tens of thousands of new homes, jobs and economic opportunities” will be created.
The land itself is bordered by Hwy. 27 to the east, Hwy. 427 to the west, Rexdale Blvd to the north and the rail tracks near Belfield Ave. to the south.
Councillor Vincent Crisanti Ward 1, Etobicoke North, says the “Woodbine vision for development is more than just a ‘winning hand’ – it unlocks a whole new opportunity for growth in our community and citywide. It promises to redefine entertainment, bringing a world-class experience that will be a true destination place in the heart of Etobicoke North.”
He added that he is “pleased to see progress being made on a plan I helped shape years ago. The Woodbine GO station unlocks unprecedented potential for growth and connectivity in Etobicoke North, presenting endless opportunities for positive impacts in the lives of residents. Seniors, families, and hard-working people of Ward 1 will benefit from the development of this missing transit link.”
This legacy project, says Crisanti, “may have been a long time coming, but once complete will create thousands of new housing opportunities, community amenities, green spaces and world-class entertainment, just to name a few.”
Michael Copeland, president of Woodbine Entertainment describes the proposal as “a once-in-a-generation opportunity to create something truly special for Toronto. At the heart of this new urban centre will be Woodbine Racetrack, a cultural landmark that will now also serve as the centrepiece of a thriving, inclusive and connected city within a city.”
“In addition to housing, there’ll be businesses, there’ll be schools, there’ll be community centres, fire stations and retail.”
“To give a sense of scale, the developable area of land is larger than the footprint of the downtown core of Toronto. There will be several neighborhoods built on (it).”
According to a release from Woodbine Entertainment, which operates like a not-for-profit corporation, it “will develop and retain ownership of the land and explore strategic joint ventures to generate ongoing revenue that will continue to support horse racing in Ontario. But for residents and visitors, the promise of the project is about much more.”
Copeland described the proposal, which could take up to 25-years to complete, as a plan that is not just about building housing, but “creating a complete community, a connected urban centre, with culture, entertainment, green space and horse racing at the heart of it all.”
It would, he says, also lead to some “very interesting opportunities of weaving racing into communities. You can imagine people going about their everyday lives, but having a physical connection to racing. Watching training as parks border the training tracks or the main track. Having horses about, near where people live, is a really novel and exciting idea.”
With the GO station on the Kitchener Line a critical part of the project, Woodbine Entertainment is investing $170 million towards that initiative.
“The station will be less than 30 minutes from Union Station and will seamlessly connect with UP Express and Pearsons International Airport, making Rexdale a transit hub for the first time in its history and unlocking new economic opportunities for surrounding communities,” the release states.
“The development will include affordable housing, including new accommodations to replace the existing dormitories for backstretch workers who care for the 1,700 horses stabled at Woodbine, further weaving the legacy and future of horse racing into the fabric of the community.”
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