Markham Civic Centre facts for kids
The Markham Civic Centre is the city hall for the city of Markham, Ontario. A city hall is like the main office building for a city's government. It's where important decisions are made and where many city services are provided. This special building, made of brick and glass, was designed by a famous architect named Arthur Erickson along with Richard Stevens Architects Limited. It first opened its doors on May 25, 1990.
Many of the entrances to the Civic Centre are named after different communities in Markham, like Unionville, Milliken, and Thornhill. Right next to the building is a large park, about 11.5 hectares in size, which has a big pond. This pond reflects the south side of the building, making it look very pretty!
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What's Inside the Civic Centre?
The Markham Civic Centre has three floors and is a busy place! It's home to many important parts of the city government and public spaces.
Here are some of the main areas you can find inside:
- Markham City Council Chambers: This is where the City Council meets. The City Council is a group of elected officials, including the mayor and councillors, who make decisions about how the city is run.
- Mayor and Councillor Offices: These are the offices where the mayor and city councillors work.
- City Offices: Many different city departments have their offices here, helping to manage everything from parks to public services.
- Wedding Chapel Annex: A special place where people can get married.
- Public Lobby: A large area where visitors can enter and find information.
- Winter Garden: A beautiful indoor space, often filled with plants.
- Committee Rooms: Smaller rooms where groups discuss specific city topics.
- Council Library and Archives: A place where important city records and information are kept.
The main public area inside is called the Great Hall. It has two stories and a large glass front that looks out over the reflecting pond and the wedding chapel. It's a great spot for public events!
Outdoor Fun at the Civic Centre
On the south side of the building, there's a lovely reflecting pond. In the winter, this pond transforms into a huge outdoor skating rink! It's the biggest outdoor refrigerated skating rink in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). This popular rink opened in December 2011 and is a fantastic place for families and friends to skate during the colder months.
Right next to the Civic Centre, you'll also find the Markham Theatre, where you can watch live performances, and Unionville High School.
How the Civic Centre Was Designed
Back in 1986, when the city was planning this new building, it was called the Markham Municipal Centre. Three famous architect firms were asked to submit their ideas for the design. These included Raymond Moriyama, Arthur Erickson, and Barton Myers Associates. In the end, Arthur Erickson's design was chosen as the winner!
Erickson's first design was a bit different, but the city worked with him to make sure the costs stayed within the budget. The total cost for the building was about $14.4 million, with another $5.2 million for the landscaping around it.
Art at the Civic Centre
On the east side of the Civic Centre, there is a unique piece of art. It looks like a skeletal (or bare bones) version of a town hall and even has a bell attached to it. It's an interesting sculpture to check out when you visit!
Markham's Past Town Halls
Before the current Markham Civic Centre opened in 1990, the city government met in several different locations over the years. We don't know exactly where meetings were held from 1850 to 1862, but here are some of the places the Markham Town Council used to meet:
- Markham Wesleyan Methodist Church (1862-1882): This church, now known as St. Andrew's United Church, was used as a meeting place for the Markham Village Town Council.
- Franklin House (1873-1882): This hotel also served as a meeting spot for the Markham Village Town Council. It was later taken down, and now a parking lot is in its place.
- Markham Village Town Hall (1882-1946): Located at 96 Main Street Markham, this was the first building specifically built to be the town council's home. It was also used as a local jail and stored equipment for the volunteer fire brigade. After 1946, it became a theatre and now holds private offices.
- Markham Village Fire Hall (1950-1970): This building was a fire station but also had rooms for council meetings. It was later replaced by the current Markham Fire and Emergency Services Station 97.
- Buttonville Township Offices (1971-1990): This building was originally built for the Buttonville Township Offices. It was a modern-style building that has since been taken down. A funeral home is now located there.
