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As part of its sustainability and community engagement objectives, the Toronto Zoo is revamping the the main gates area at the public entrance to the zoological park located in Scarborough in the east of the city. The development, to be known as the Community Conservation Campus was included in the zoo's 2022 Master Plan.
The design of the campus by Zeidler Architecture, for which a Site Plan Approval application was submitted to the City in June, includes a single-storey, 9 metre-tall building for guest services, and a two-storey, 13.5 metre-tall community building. The existing entrance gates would largely remain intact, with one wing set for demolition, while the parking and drop-off areas would not undergo any changes.
The community building is planned to have a gross floor area (GFA) of 2,596m², serving multiple functions for visitors and educational purposes, while the guest services building would have a GFA of 569m². The development also includes retail and commercial spaces, with GFAs of 198m² and 89m², respectively. The guest services building is planned to have a green roof of 132m², aligning with the zoo's sustainability goals. The design also incorporates energy-efficient materials and systems, furthering the zoo's commitment to sustainability.
As part of the Toronto Zoo's 2022 Master Plan, the Community Conservation Campus is intended to serve functions beyond that of a visitor's hub. Developed in collaboration with key partners, including a panel of 55 business, conservation, and community leaders, the centre would house a theatre hall, research facilities, and event spaces. These amenities aim to foster conversations about habitat conservation, sustainable resources, and climate change mitigation.
The Community Conservation Campus forms a significant component of the zoo's long-term strategic plan. Facing challenges such as periodic flooding, aging infrastructure, and the need for greater accessibility, the Toronto Zoo sees this development as a springboard for future growth. Future upgrades are also planned to improve accessibility in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act. The centre is designed to involve the community in shaping a vision for the zoo's future resilience and direction, while facilitating the Toronto Zoo's initiatives for further development and adaptation.
UrbanToronto will continue to follow progress on this development, but in the meantime, you can learn more about it from our Database file, linked below. If you'd like, you can join in on the conversation in the associated Project Forum thread or leave a comment in the space provided on this page.
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| Related Companies: | Grounded Engineering Inc., NAK Design Strategies, Quasar Consulting Group, Zeidler Architecture |
