By Kezia Royer-Burkett, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
The Burlington community came out in full force this past Saturday to celebrate the grand opening of the Skyway Community Centre and Park. Residents enjoyed an afternoon filled with excitement, from a dazzling Nexxice synchronized skating performance to a lively sledge hockey demonstration, along with family-friendly activities such as crafts, a scavenger hunt, and a marketplace featuring local recreation vendors.
Mayor Marianne Meed Ward, Ward 5 Councillor Paul Sharman, Ward 6 Councillor Angelo Bentivegna, Ward 1 Councillor Kelvin Galbraith, and other elected officials joined residents for the official ceremony, which featured the unveiling of the new public art installation Ephemeral Reverie by Xiaojing Yan, as well as the traditional “first puck drop” on the ice rink. The artwork, created from eco-friendly coloured concrete, symbolizes melting icebergs and reminds the community of the urgency of protecting the planet.
The new state-of-the-art facility has transformed Skyway into a hub of sport, culture, and gathering. It includes a full-sized ice pad, six change rooms, multi-use program space, spectator seating, universal washrooms, a customer service area, and an indoor multi-use track. Skyway Park itself has also been redesigned, adding a natural playground, new gathering spaces, and an upgraded baseball diamond. The entire project was built with sustainability in mind, incorporating a low-carbon design, geothermal heating, and a fully electric, zero-emission ice resurfacer, supported by a $1 million investment from the Government of Canada’s Green and Inclusive Community Buildings program.
Emphasizing the importance of community spaces, Burlington MPP Natalie Pierre said, “This space is a space for our community and for everyone. So I want to commend the City of Burlington, Mayor Marianne Meed Ward, Councillor Paul Sharman, all the city staff, the architects, the artists, and the community members who helped to make this project a reality. Physical activity is one of the most effective ways to boost mental health and well-being. But just as important as movement and physical activity is connection, and community spaces like Skyway Arena really encourage people to gather, share, and support one another.”
Burlington MP Karina Gould highlighted the teamwork behind the project. “I think this is a wonderful example of what’s possible when we work together. One of the things that I think is really special about Burlington is that our elected representatives work together — we’re all rowing in the same direction, and that’s something that I think we can be really proud of in this community.”
For Councillor Paul Sharman, the opening carried special significance. Reflecting on years of community input, he said, “Such an honour to have the opportunity to work with wonderful people. Back in 2014, there were a whole lot of questions coming from the community about what we were going to do with this building.”
The end result, Sharman says, is fabulous. “We have this wonderful new community centre that isn’t just a replacement of an ice rink. The turning point was a discussion about having a natural park for the kids, and that’s exactly what we delivered. This facility is totally climate-friendly with no natural gas connections, which is a big accomplishment for our community. When I look at this building now, even with the cost increases through COVID, I say it’s worth every dollar.”
The final cost for the new centre came to approximately $40 million, a significant investment that Sharman said reflects the community’s priorities and vision for the future.
The city also placed strong emphasis on accessibility, ensuring that the space welcomes everyone. Emilie Cote, director of recreation, community and culture, said, “The community had a huge input in the development of the space. We heard loud and clear that folks wanted a space to walk, so that’s how the walking track was incorporated. Everything in this facility is accessible — for sledge hockey, for every single washroom, and even scooter charging stations in the main lobby. The message is that everybody gets to play.”
The celebration was a testament to Burlington’s collaborative spirit and its commitment to creating spaces where residents can come together, stay active, and connect. As the doors of the Skyway Community Centre and Park officially open, it marks not just the completion of a project years in the making, but also a new chapter for community life in Burlington’s southeast end.
