Council approves purchase of Riverstone Golf Club

Clubhouse to be converted to a recreation center

BRAMPTON, ON – Brampton City Council has authorized staff to proceed with the purchase of the Riverstone Golf Club, including the clubhouse building and surrounding valley lands. The clubhouse, located near McVean Drive and Queen Street East, will be converted to a new recreation centre to serve the City’s east side.

City staff has negotiated a draft Agreement of Purchase and Sale for $9 million plus a $2.6 million contribution for capital improvements. The purchase price includes the clubhouse building, land around the building (to be used as overflow parking), and surrounding parcels of land. The capital improvement contribution will enable the seller to do the work necessary to convert the clubhouse to a public recreation centre. Planned renovations to the facility include improvements to the pool area, expanded change rooms and fitness rooms, several multipurpose rooms, new signage, accessibility upgrades, and other interior and exterior improvements. The new recreation centre is expected to open to the public in Spring 2019.

The valley lands that made up the golf course will be re-naturalized by the City, in cooperation with the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority and the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, to create a conservation area with recreational trails. This will help conserve the West Humber tributary, and provide a protected habitat for Redside Dace, an endangered species of fish.

Brampton’s Parks and Recreation Master Plan recommended adding seniors’ recreation opportunities on the east side of the City. While the Riverstone Community Centre is intended to serve residents of all ages, there will be an emphasis on programming to meet the needs of older adults. It is expected that the centre can be programmed with options similar to the Flower City Seniors Recreation Centre, with the additional benefit of aquatics and fitness facilities on site.

The population in the east end of Brampton is growing rapidly, while recreational facilities in the vicinity are limited. The addition of this new aquatics and fitness facility will help improve access to these services, while encouraging a healthy, active lifestyle for local residents.

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 “Converting the Riverstone Golf Club and Clubhouse to a much-needed additional community hub in the east end of the City with a multitude of seniors’ programming to complement the success of our Flower City Seniors Recreation Centre will provide supplementary recreation opportunities to residents of all ages. Re-naturalizing the 60+ acres of valley lands has huge potential benefits to wildlife, as well as expanding the City’s network of pedestrian and cycling trails. This property will be a great addition for the residents of Brampton.”

–       Councillor Michael Palleschi, Chair, Community Services