Ramsden Park Community Recreation Centre Design Competition Toronto, Ontario contest, Canadian architecture

Ramsden Park Community Recreation Centre Design Competition

September 12, 2025

Location: Ramsden Park, downtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Ramsden Park Community Recreation Centre Design Competition RFSQ

The City of Toronto launches international design competition for new downtown community recreation centre

Aerial photo of the site:

The City of Toronto has launched a two-stage international design competition to create a landmark downtown community recreation facility. This marks the first City of Toronto design competition held for a community recreation centre since 1987.

This competition is part of the City’s commitment to fostering design excellence and enhancing the public realm. Design teams from around the world are invited to imagine a vibrant, inclusive, and welcoming destination while advancing global best practices in design and sustainability in alignment with Toronto Green Standards and the City’s TransformTO Net Zero Strategy.

The new Ramsden Park Community Recreation Centre will enrich civic life through innovative architecture and urban design, provide vital community amenities for a rapidly growing city, and reflect Toronto’s diversity and dynamism.

National and international design teams led by an Architect licensed with the Ontario Association of Architects are invited to respond to the open Design Competition Stage One Request for Supplier Qualifications (RFSQ) posted on the City’s bid portal.

Applications close at noon October 31, 2025, with an optional virtual information session held on October 2, 2025. Up to five prequalified design teams will be selected to advance to the next stage.

Ramsden Park Community Recreation Centre Design Competition, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

The City of Toronto is launching an international design competition!

• Applications: Now open through the City Bids Portal
• Deadline: October 31, 2025
• Optional virtual information session: October 2, 2025

Let’s imagine a community recreation centre that enriches civic life, showcases architectural innovation, and builds a healthier, greener, more connected Toronto.

PROJECT PROCESS

In August 2025, the City launched a two-stage international design competition for a new Ramsden Park Community Recreation Centre. In Stage One, applicants submit their qualifications for consideration. In Stage Two, the five highest-rated applicants develop and present their designs. Feedback from experts and residents help a jury choose the winner.

Stage One: Request for Supplier Qualifications (RFSQ)
In this stage, the City invites applications in response to the terms and conditions outlined in the RFSQ to determine their eligibility. Stage One RFSQ submissions are reviewed by an Evaluation Committee made up of City staff and an independent Professional Advisor. Up to five highest-rated design teams are shortlisted and invited to participate in the following stage.

Stage Two: Request for Proposal (RFP)
In this stage, the five shortlisted design teams submit conceptual designs for the new community recreation centre in response to the RFP.

Winner Selection
The shortlisted design teams are required to present their designs to a jury comprised of recognized design and architecture professionals, the City, and Community Advisory groups. Designs are shared on the project website and public exhibition for public feedback prior to the jury decision.

Public feedback informs the jury’s decision to select the winner of the competition, and their decision is final. The winning design team for the new Ramsden Park Community Recreation Centre will be announced in fall 2026.

PROJECT SUMMARY

The City of Toronto is building a new accessible and net zero emissions community recreation and aquatics facility adjacent to Ramsden Park. Located steps from Rosedale subway station, the future Ramsden Park Community Recreation Centre will offer year-round recreational programming and services for residents across Toronto.

The facility will include a 25-metre, six-lane pool, a leisure pool, a full-size gymnasium with a running track, and multi-purpose community spaces. Groundbreaking is anticipated in 2028, with the centre to open in 2033.

Ramsden Park Community Recreation Centre Design Competition, Toronto, Ontario house images / information received 120925

Community building designs

Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Toronto Architectural Designs

Ontario Building Designs – architectural selection below:

National Bowl Toronto, The Well, Front Street West, downtown
Design: FRANK Architecture & Interiors

photo : Christopher Amat

Ontario Secondary School Teachers Federation Building, Toronto
Design: Kasian Architecture Interior Design and Planning & Moriyama Teshima Architects

photo : Tom Arban