McGregor Park Community Centre

The McGregor Park Community Centre Youth Lounge project was one of 26 projects under the City of Toronto’s Priority Neighbourhoods program that received funding under a mandate to create new youth-centric recreational facilities.

In keeping with the project’s chief objectives — to create a safe and secure environment that is also appealing and welcoming — the new community space was designed with simplicity, durability, and cost-effectiveness in mind. We specified concrete floors and block walls as well as other low-maintenance materials to support a hardwearing program that includes a welcoming entrance, versatile youth space, kitchen, administrative area, storage, and an outdoor courtyard. Despite this emphasis on practicality and durability, the design has made a positive impact on the neighbourhood, serving as a lynchpin within the larger McGregor Community Centre. 

We pursued extensive public consultation to ensure alignment with community needs and aspirations. Local neighbourhood youth were actively engaged; we provided them with firsthand insights into the design and construction industries. Their involvement proved pivotal to the project’s success and helped them foster a sense of ownership and empowerment vis-à-vis the process and final space.

As a result of this collaborative effort, the center — now affectionately known as “The Commons” — is a modern, safe, and inviting lounge, tailored to the specific needs and aspirations of local teens. This thriving community hub contributes positively to the health, happiness, productivity, and overall well-being of neighbourhood residents who frequent the lounge.