Markham Civic Centre

Markham Civic Centre

The Markham Civic Centre is the city hall of the city of Markham, Ontario. The brick and glass Civic Centre was designed by architect Arthur Erickson with Richard Stevens Architects Limited and opened on May 25, 1990. Entrances, except the great hall entrance, are named after communities in Markham (Unionville, Milliken, Thornhill). The building is adjacent to an 11.5-hectare park with a large pond reflecting the south façade.

Building structure

Aero view of the Markham Civic Centre

The three storey complex is home to

A reflecting pond is located on the south side of the building alongside a 26,000 square foot skating rink - the largest outdoor refrigerated skating rink in the GTA, and operated in the winter months. The skating rink was constructed and officially opened in December 2011. Located next to the civic centre is the Markham Theatre and Unionville High School.

The Civic Centre is a functional building providing office space and a number of public spaces for events in the Great Hall and Lower Atrium. The split level of the Great Hall comes with a two-storey glass front viewing the reflecting pond and wedding chapel.

Bids and winning design

Three architect firms were shortlisted to submitted designs in 1986 for the then Markham Municipal Centre, including Raymond Moriyama[1] Erickson and Barton Myers Associates,[2] but the final design was awarded to Erickson.

Erickson's original design was slightly different, but the Town intervened to keep costs at budget ($14.4 million and $5.2 million for landscaping)[3]

When the building was about to begin construction, Erickson's Toronto office faced financial difficulties.[4]

Sculptures

There is a single piece of art work located to the east side of the Town Centre. The art work is a skeletal town hall theme with a bell attached.

Previous Town Halls 1862-1990

While location of town meeting from 1850 to 1862 are not known, below is a list of some places Markham Town Council have sat:

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Markham Civic Centre.

References

Coordinates: 43°51′24″N 79°20′13″W / 43.8566°N 79.3369°W / 43.8566; -79.3369

Preceded by
8911 Woodbine Avenue
Seat of the Town of Markham
1989–2012
Succeeded by
defunct with the formation of the City of Markham
Preceded by
None
Seat of the City of Markham
2012–
Succeeded by
current
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