By Maisha Hasan, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
The Robert Bateman Community Centre officially opened its doors on Saturday, May 2, marking the first phase of Burlington’s transformation of the former Robert Bateman High School into a multi-use community hub. The centre retains the name honouring world-renowned artist, naturalist, and former Nelson High School teacher Robert Bateman, whose name was also attached to the building in its previous life as a high school.
Activities and refreshments were provided to attendees to celebrate the grand opening of the first phase of the Robert Bateman Community Centre. Burlington Public Library, Brock University, TechPlace, and Halton District School Board, tenants of the community centre, each hosted residents at the grand opening; activities included games, crafts, fitness challenges, and a scavenger hunt.
Local Elder and Healer WhiteEagle Stonefish set an intention for the event, followed by speeches from Emilie Cote, the director of recreation, community, and culture at the City of Burlington, Councillors Rory Nisan, Paul Sharman, and Angelo Bentivegna, MP Karina Gould, MPP Natalie Pierre, and MPP Effie Triantafilopoulos.
“[The centre] brings Robert Bateman’s legacy to life through a vibrant celebration of local birds, plants, and landscapes, inviting us to pause, observe, and reconnect with the natural world around us,” Cote said.
A mural painted in the building was created in honour of the Canadian painter by Ver Sands, the collaborative name of artists Jacqui Oakley and Jamie Lawson.
Mayor Marianne Meed Ward also gave some remarks, noting the building’s eco-friendly credentials.
“This was one of our most ambitious community projects, and it required a lot of pieces of a jigsaw puzzle to come together…This building supports our net carbon-zero goal by 2040. It has adaptive reuse, of course. We maintain the building, so the materials are not in a landfill somewhere. We’re building for a long-term impact,” Meed Ward said.
Meed Ward noted that this is only the first phase of the new community centre, with more developments on the way.
Although Robert Bateman himself was not able to attend, he shared his thoughts via Meed Ward.
“I would like to thank the community for choosing to name this wonderful new facility the Robert Bateman Community Centre. I’m deeply honoured. Burlington has long held a special place in my heart, from my years teaching young people here to my connection with the Niagara Escarpment and the early days of the Bruce Trail; the Art Gallery of Burlington as well. Those experiences shaped my life, my art, and my way of seeing the world. This new centre represents far more than a building. It reflects collaboration, shared values, a belief in creating spaces that bring people together to learn, to create, and to belong. I’m very touched by the care and the thought that went into its development.”
Speaking after the opening, Ward 5 Councillor Paul Sharman said the project represents more than a decade of planning and advocacy for southeast Burlington.
Phase two of the centre is already underway, with an additional 10,000 square feet expected to open later this year. Another 6,000 square feet remains under consideration, with public consultation planned to help determine how the former workshop space will ultimately be used.
Sharman said the expanded facility significantly improves access to recreation, learning, and gathering spaces in southeast Burlington, particularly when paired with the fall 2025 opening of the Skyway Community Centre.
“It provides recreation space for the community in southeast Burlington, which has not been present at all,” Sharman said. “Ward 5 has had a significant improvement in community amenities in the last two years.”
In addition to recreational programming, the centre now houses Burlington Public Library space, Brock University programming, TechPlace, meeting rooms, and informal gathering areas open to residents.
“This is now the biggest community centre in Burlington,” Sharman noted.
He reflected on the long process that led to the transformation of the former high school into a community hub.
“This is a journey I’ve been on since 2014, when it became clear that one of the city’s schools had to be closed,” he said. “People were disappointed that it was Robert Bateman High School. We then made the decision that we would acquire it and convert it into community space. We are very, very pleased with that outcome.”
Future plans for the property also include additional parkland improvements behind the community centre extending toward Pinedale Avenue, including pathways and further public space enhancements. This work is not yet budgeted for, but will move forward, likely in the next few years.
The opening marked not only the completion of the first phase of the project but the beginning of a new chapter for a space that has long served Burlington residents in different ways. With additional development still to come, the Robert Bateman Community Centre is continuing its transformation into one of the city’s largest and most wide-ranging community hubs.
