Improving Public Access at Birchmount Stadium - by Councillor Parthi Kandavel, seconded by Councillor Josh Matlow

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The decision

2026-06-24 · Toronto City Council · adopted

As filed

City Council on June 24 and 25, 2026, adopted the following: 1. City Council request the General Manager, Parks and Recreation, in consultation with the local ward Councillor, to review and implement immediate and long-term opportunities, where feasible, to improve permitted and recreational access to Birchmount Stadium for local community groups, including consideration of: a. dedicated community access hours and additional permitted access during the academic year, including between 8:00 a.m.

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and 6:00 p.m. when the facility is not actively in use; b. a shared permitting model that would allow compatible user groups to book different components of the stadium simultaneously, with fee structures that reflect the portion of the facility being used (for example, the soccer field and running track booked by different groups at the same time); and c. improvements to permit communication and transparency to enhance the user experience.

On the agenda

As the city filed it

Birchmount Stadium is a premier publicly funded track and field facility in Scarborough, upgraded as part of a $206 million investment in sport infrastructure across the Greater Toronto Area for the 2015 Pan Am Games. Under current agreements, use is restricted to use by local school students during the school year between 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.. Outside those hours, the stadium is heavily permitted by athletic groups, leaving limited windows for general public access during the school year.

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During the school year (September to June), permitted bookings run Monday to Friday from 6:00-11:00 p.m. and Saturday to Sunday from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., leaving little room for unstructured community use. In the summer (July to August), the stadium offers public drop-in access on weekday mornings from 9:00-11:00 a.m., with no access available on weekends or after work hours. Residents and local clubs have raised concerns about barriers to access throughout the year. The existing permit structure does not allow multiple user groups to share the facility at the same time, meaning the track may sit unused while a soccer group holds a field permit, further limiting use of the facility. This motion asks City staff to explore options to expand public access, review the existing Toronto District School Board agreement, introduce a multi-use permitting model, and expand drop-in windows beyond the current summer-only offering. Reason for Urgency: This matter is considered urgent given the present opportunity to review and negotiation applicable agreements following City's investment in Birchmount Stadium, coupled with growing demand by the public and permit holders of recreational spaces in Scarborough Southwest.

Staff recommended

Councillor Parthi Kandavel, seconded by Councillor Josh Matlow, recommends that: 1. City Council request the General Manager, Parks and Recreation, in consultation with the local ward Councillor, to review and implement immediate and long-term opportunities, where feasible, to improve permitted and recreational access to Birchmount Stadium for local community groups, including consideration of: a. dedicated community access hours and additional permitted access during the academic year, including between 8:00 a.m.

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On the record

The item as the City filed it

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