Multi-use Recreation Complex (MURC)

Construction is underway. A time-lapse camera has been placed at the site so viewers can watch the progress of construction.

Stefan Hordatt
shordatt@georgina.ca

• Q1 2024 - Expected occupancy of the building
• November 2021 - Groundbreaking ceremony
• June 2021 - Council moves forward with Multi-use Recreation Complex
• November 2019 - Design revealed
• May-June 2019 - Public input sessions
• May 2018 - Site chosen and billboard erected to identify the future site of the MURC
• 2014 - MURC approved
• 2014 - Recreation Facility Needs Study completed

• Complete roofing
• Continue with building envelope (including siding and glass)
• Continue with mechanical, electrical and pool mechanical
• Landscape and pavement (Summer 2023)
• Interior finishes and fixtures
• Furniture, fixtures and Equipment Procurement
• Hiring (Careers)
• Planning for commissioning and turn over 

The MURC is available for multiple naming rights and corporate sponsorship opportunities.

Construction is underway. A time-lapse camera has been placed at the site so viewers can watch the progress of construction.

March 2023 MURC project Council update

February 2023 MURC project Council update

November 2022 MURC project Council update

September 2022 MURC project Council update

August 2022 MURC project Council update

June 2022 MURC project Council update

April 2022 MURC project Council update

March 2022 MURC project Council update

January 2022 MURC project Council update 

November 2021 MURC project Council update

October 2021 MURC project Council update

On Nov. 27, 2019, the design for the new MURC was revealed at the Town Council meeting. 

Concept design for the MURC

Nov. 10, 2021 - Groundbreaking ceremony for new Multi-use Recreation Complex -  
June 23, 2021 - Town moves forward with construction of Multi-use Recreation Complex 
Nov. 28, 2019 - Georgina reveals design for new Multi-use Recreation Complex 
May 11, 2018 - Billboard marks MURC future site - May 11, 2018 

Multi-use Recreation Complex - May 27 and June 4, 2019 

Business case for the Multi-use Recreation Complex - Nov. 16, 2018 

 To view the Council agendas and meeting minutes, visit the Agendas, meeting minutes and broadcast archives webpage.

2019 Project Steering Committee - Updated Project Steering Committee (145.84 KB)
MURC site concept - Four hectare future sports field (101.5 KB)
MURC site concept - Four hectare Civic Centre  (92.95 KB)
MURC site concept - Ten hectare future sports field (101.48 KB)

Council approved a budget of $50.2 million for the Multi-use Recreation Complex on June 23, 2021.

To build the MURC (capital cost), the primary source of funding for the project is provided by development charges (DC). As per the Ontario Development Charges Act, both principle and interest paid on any DC-funded projects are also eligible for DC funding. As such, the MURC capital costs, including the debenture costs, will mostly be paid using DC funding. As a result of Bill 23, there will be a need to fund a portion of the capital cost from other sources.

The 2019 budget accounted for five per cent annual cost escalation in the high end and anticipated construction completion in 2021. The 2021 budget was adjusted to reflect impact of the COVID-19 pandemic that pushed the construction schedule to 2023 and 10 per cent annual cost escalation on the high end.

There will be no tax levy increases relating to the MURC operating costs. The anticipated annual net operating costs for the MURC will be approximately $2 million. The entire amount will be funded through assessment growth, which is the new property taxes that will be collected from new development. As a result, there will be no tax levy increases relating to the MURC operating costs.

Construction of the MURC began in November 2021. It is anticipated to be completed in Q4 of 2023 with a target of opening to the public in Q1 of 2024.

The planned location is on the west side of Woodbine Avenue between Glenwoods Avenue and Ravenshoe Road.

The MURC will include a six-lane 25-metre pool, a therapy pool, double gymnasium, indoor walking track, multi-use meeting and activity rooms, active living space and a Discovery Library branch.

Growth projections for Georgina show that by 2031, the Town’s population will grow, with much of that growth occurring in Keswick. It is this growth that is supporting the need for additional facilities. Locating facilities as close as possible to the majority of users will optimize use and is more environmentally friendly by limiting travel distances.

In 2014, the Town conducted a Recreation Facility Needs Study. Extensive research was done which evaluated data including our socio-demographic profile, trends and best practices, facility inventory, and a utilization analysis. Public consultation was also a key component of this study with surveys, public information centres and discussions with key stakeholders including sports groups, hall boards, seniors, Council and staff. The public survey showed that 88 per cent of the respondents agreed that “The Town should consider developing a Recreation Centre in the Keswick area with components such as an indoor pool, arena, gymnasium, walking track and or community rooms.” View the complete study here. Throughout 2018 and 2019, the Town will work to develop the concept plan. Public consultation and stakeholder engagement will be an important part of this phase.

History has taught us that single purpose or stand-alone facilities cost more to build and operate. That’s why municipalities across Ontario are now building MURC’s. They are the most responsive and cost effective way of meeting community recreational needs.

The Town of Georgina and East Gwillimbury have been consulting with each other on their respective plans for their new recreation facilities to ensure decisions are not made in isolation. The Town of East Gwillimbury is planning for a Health and Active Living Plaza (HALP) which will be built once their population reaches 40,000 residents.

The 2014 Recreation Facility Needs Study determined that the Town has an adequate supply of ice pads in the community for our planned population. When the Town does reach a size that requires an additional ice pad, the study recommended that the Sutton arena be twinned (add another pad). Twin ice pads operate more efficiently than single pads.

In 2018, Council directed staff to review, in collaboration with public input, the proposed 10,000-square-foot library within the MURC at an estimated cost of $4 to $4.5 million based on a square footage cost of $400 to $450. Once the MURC architect team is hired for the project, the team and staff will host a visioning session with stakeholders to further refine the program and size requirements for the MURC, including the library. Coming out of that there are likely to be a few options related to the library size and potential shared spaces for consideration by the Town. Only once the design is developed will there be a more accurate idea of what the portion of the entire MURC project budget is directly attributable to the Library.

In 2016, the Georgina Public Library Board commissioned a library services and facilities study to guide the development of the library over the next 10 years. Based on professional standards, the consultants identified a lack of 15,000 square feet of library space to meet the present and growing needs of our community. The Library Board Strategic Plan identified the requirement for a branch in the rapidly growing area of south Keswick. The library board settled on a 10,000-square-foot branch with additional space shared with the Town’s Recreation and Culture Department. The MURC project provides an opportunity to address this shortcoming in service levels.

Most new public libraries are being built as part of a community hub rather than stand-alone buildings. These designs have proved to be more cost effective to build and operate, more convenient for residents, and allow for shared space for a variety of activities. It is not feasible or cost effective to expand the existing Keswick branch and the new library will offer new library services that will complement the services offered in the north Keswick branch. The focus will be on digital literacy and community programming space. The library will also meet the need for more children’s programming space and services, which are in increasing demand.

The new library will offer the following services:

• Children and young adult collection and programming
• Popular adult fiction and DVD collection
• Quiet and group study space for students of seven schools within walking distance to the new location as well as distance-learning students
• Comfortable seating for parents waiting for their children at swimming lessons and other sports
• Programming and performance space for library and community events
• Meeting rooms for community groups
• Digital skills training lab to learn new computer and research skills
• Digital media lab including a green screen for video production and editing together with digital recording capabilities
• MakerSpace with 3D printer and other hands-on technologies

Yes. The Town is one of Georgina’s largest employers. The MURC will require full-time, part-time, seasonal and contract staff who are committed to serving our residents.

The MURC will require full-time, part-time, seasonal and contract staff committed to serving our residents. If you are interested in working at the MURC, watch our Careers page for available jobs. 

Any job fairs for the MURC will be posted on our Events Calendar.

That’s great! If you do we think others will also. Please send your questions to buildinggeorgina@georgina.ca so we can provide you with the answer.

The MURC is an acronym for Multi-use Recreation Complex.