Future Civic Centre

The New Civic Centre will honour the site’s history as a gathering place by offering spaces that bring people together in new ways.

For over 30 years, residents have wanted a central location for town services and community events. Now, that vision is becoming a reality. The new Civic Centre at 125 Simcoe Road will be our new home for customer service, culture, recreation, the arts, and community.

The Civic Centre will help breathe new life into downtown Bradford. By bringing hundreds of daily visitors and staff into the area, it will support local shops and restaurants, attract new businesses, and make downtown a more vibrant destination.

Open lobbies and gathering areas will make the building feel inviting and highly accessible, while the architecture reflects the energy and optimism of a growing town. 

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Thoughtful Planning Built on Community Consultation

This project is rooted in the voices of our residents.

In 2017, the Town began an extensive public consultation process on the future of the Bradford and District Memorial Community Centre lands. The overwhelming message was clear – residents wanted this 18-acre site to remain a place for community gatherings, culture, and recreation.

In response, Council adopted the Community Centre Master Plan in 2018. It set out a vision for a multi-use Civic Centre that would bring town administration, cultural venues, and recreation facilities together, all while supporting the vitality of the nearby downtown. At the start of the new Council term in 2022, Council listed delivering this Civic Centre as one of its strategic priorities.

Why Does BWG Need a Civic Centre?

Town services (Finance, Administration, Building, etc.) are currently spread across 10 offices in 8 locations. This is confusing and inconvenient for residents and inefficient for staff. By consolidating services under one roof, the Civic Centre will:

  • Offer a one-stop service in a welcoming space

  • Improve staff collaboration and service delivery

  • Reduce costs by freeing up older buildings and cutting operating expenses

Building Features

The 10,195 m2 Civic Centre will feature:

  • A transitional performing arts theatre and council chamber (378-seat) for concerts, dance recitals, plays, cultural events, public meetings, and more
  • A multi-sport gymnasium (1,140 m2) and fitness centre (125 m2) that provide more space for some of our most popular sports, like basketball and pickleball
  • Meeting rooms, multi-purpose spaces, and a central lobby (2,500 m2) available to local businesses, community groups and residents for public gatherings
  • Town administration offices (2,633 m2), including a Customer Service Centre on the main level
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Project Timeline

The Town undertook an extensive public consultation process on the future of the Bradford and& District Memorial Community Centre lands.

Council adopted the Community Centre Master Plan for the redevelopment of 125 Simcoe Road.

Council began setting aside over $730,000 each year in a reserve fund to help fund the project responsibly.

Council designated the Community Centre Master Plan as one of their key priorities, which included the design and construction of the new Civic Centre.

Council, Town staff and consultants steered the Civic Centre project through conceptual designs, programming, space planning, architectural themes, construction and procurement options, business plans and cost estimates.

The architect presented the 30% design documents to Council during a Strategic Initiatives Committee meeting. The project is ready to move forward to detailed design and construction.

The detailed design and construction will continue in October 2026.

The Civic Centre project is a component of the Community Centre Master Plan. Future phases of the Master Plan include the redevelopment of the outdoor space/campus like flexible recreation areas, tennis courts, a skate park, and trails.

Construction Costs and Funding

From renewable timber and natural light to high-efficiency HVAC systems, the Civic Centre is designed to be beautiful and both environmentally and financially sustainable.

The updated total project cost is estimated at $102 million, with about $13 million covered by development charges. This cost aligns with the original 2020 budget at $107 million.

The Town is also exploring potential grant opportunities to secure additional funding.

Thanks to thoughtful planning, the Civic Centre will be built without major tax increases and it will save money over time – an estimated $300,000 annually by 2043 by occupying a Town-owned facility rather than leasing space from other buildings. Council has also been setting aside $730,000 each year in a reserve fund since 2019 to help fund the project responsibly.

Next Steps

With 30% of the design now complete, the Civic Centre is on track to complete detailed design and move into construction. Construction will commence in October 2026 and will be completed by mid-2029.

FAQ

The Civic Centre will be a multi-use landmark facility at 125 Simcoe Road, combining municipal offices, cultural spaces, recreation facilities, and community gathering areas under one roof.

Currently, Town services are spread across 10 offices in 8 locations, making access inconvenient for residents and inefficient for staff. The new facility will provide one-stop service, improve efficiency, and reduce long-term costs.

The project was shaped through extensive public consultation starting in 2017. Residents expressed a strong desire to keep the 18-acre site as a hub for community, culture, and recreation. Council adopted the Community Centre Master Plan in 2018, setting the vision for the Civic Centre.

  • A 378-seat performing arts theatre and council chamber
  • Tournament-sized gymnasium and fitness centre
  • Meeting rooms and multipurpose spaces for public use
  • Centralized customer service and office space for Town staff

The current cost estimate is $99 million, which is below the original 2020 budget of $107.7 million. Careful planning and cost refinements have already reduced the project by several million dollars.

Since 2019, Council has set aside over $730,000 annually into a dedicated reserve fund to finance the project. This long-term planning allows the Civic Centre to move forward without sharp property tax increases. About $13 million of the cost will be covered through development charges. The Town is also exploring potential grant opportunities to secure additional funding.

Once paid off (20 years), the Town is expected to save approximately $350,000 annually compared to leasing multiple office spaces. Consolidating services also reduces operating costs and improves efficiency.

The Civic Centre will provide spaces for cultural events, concerts, plays, dance recitals, sporting activities, business meetings, and community gatherings, making it a year-round destination for recreation and celebration.

The building will feature renewable structural timber, high-efficiency HVAC systems, natural lighting, and enhanced accessibility standards. These design choices ensure both environmental and financial sustainability.

Located near the “Four Corners,” the Civic Centre will bring hundreds of daily visitors and staff downtown, boosting local shops, restaurants, and services while helping revitalize the downtown core.

The Civic Centre project is a component of the Community Centre Master Plan. Future phases of the Master Plan include the redevelopment of the outdoor space/campus like flexible recreation areas, tennis courts, a skate park, and trails. 

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