Hundreds of residents in the west end of Mississauga have come together to protect mature trees that are set to be removed for the renovation of a community center and library.
Hundreds of residents in the west end of Mississauga have come together to protect mature trees that are set to be removed for the renovation of a community center and library.
A petition with around 250 signatures has been launched, urging the City of Mississauga to spare 31 “mature, healthy trees” as it proceeds with its $61 million plan to upgrade the South Common Community Centre and Library.
The petition, initiated through a community campaign called “Save the South Common Woodlot,” will be formally presented to Mississauga city council during its meeting on Wednesday morning.
The community center has been closed since June 17 and will not reopen until major renovations are completed in the summer of 2027. Part of the extensive project involves removing the 31 trees on the facility’s south side to create a more aesthetically pleasing entrance.
According to the petition, these trees make up about 40 percent of the woodlot’s total trees. It states, “Essentially, the plan is to destroy these trees to make a crooked entranceway straight,” and calls on the city to “refrain from destroying any part of the woodlot on the south side” of the community center. The petition also requests that the city “develop an alternate entranceway that adheres to best design practices without harming this vital tree canopy.”
When presenting the petition to city council, residents highlighted the city’s recent “Tree Cities of the World” designation by the United Nations, during which city officials acknowledged the importance of trees in combating climate change and enhancing livability in Mississauga.
The South Common Community Centre and Library, which opened in 1981, closed its doors on June 17 to begin significant renovations, including an expanded fitness area and a new aquatics center. Officials overseeing the redevelopment of the 43-year-old Erin Mills facility sought public feedback on design plans last year.
The city describes the ongoing project as an “exciting redevelopment” that aims to ensure that the programs and services offered meet the community’s needs. They also stated that the renovations will enhance infrastructure to address population growth and changing demographics in the area.
The improvements will be carried out following environmentally friendly building standards and with a focus on accessibility. City officials previously noted that to maintain “beautiful and inviting spaces where people of all ages can spend quality time together, it is occasionally necessary for facilities to close for updates that align with community needs.”
The South Common project will include enhancements to the library, expanded fitness facilities, a new aquatics center, and a new gymnasium. The library’s expansion will add 16,000 square feet, including multi-purpose rooms.
In summer 2021, the city secured $45 million from the provincial government for the upgrades at South Common, while Mississauga is contributing an additional $16 million to the project.
The South Common Community Centre has served as a community hub for over 40 years, closely linked to South Common Mall, and has largely remained unchanged throughout the decades. The community has long sought improvements to both indoor and outdoor fitness spaces, as well as the aquatics area.
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