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
The three storey complex is home to
- Markham City Council chambers - Rotunda
- wedding chapel annex
- mayor and councillor offices
- city offices
- public lobby
- winter garden
- executive wing
- council chambers
- committee rooms
- council library and archives
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
A list of some places Markham Town Council have sat:
- 8911 Woodbine Avenue 1970s or 1980s-1990 - converted commercial building has since been demolished and now Chapel Ridge Funeral Home and Cremation Centre
- Markham Village Town Hall (96 Main Street Markham) 1882-1946 - Italianate structure built by John Wilson 1882 was home to council, local jail, volunteer fire brigade and home to Masonic and Oddfellow Lodges; it is now housing private offices
See also
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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
| 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 |