Woodbine Planning for Development
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Photo: Woodbine Entertainment Group
Woodbine's new Tapeta surface was developed by trainer Michael Dickinson
Woodbine Entertainment Group (WEG) announced June 16 that it has selected SWA Group—a leading landscape architecture, planning and urban design firm—to create a master plan to guide the long-term vision for Woodbine's overall development and expanded entertainment offering across its 680 acres of largely undeveloped land.
SWA Group was chosen from a short list of international firms with expertise in the master planning of large-scale urban destinations, through an invitation-only request for proposals process lead by LiveWorkLearnPlay (LWLP), WEG's development consultants. Assisting SWA will be BCV Architects and Nelson Nygaard.
"This is a big step forward in our plan to transform Woodbine into a leading entertainment destination in Toronto. We know SWA is the right partner for the job," said WEG chief executive officer Jim Lawson. "Most people don't realize that we have the largest piece of privately owned, undeveloped land in Toronto here at Woodbine. Our vision is to unlock the value of the property by creating a city within a city that brings a range of dynamic offerings to people within the GTA, with the goal of building a sustainable foundation and economic future for horseracing in Ontario."
Ontario Lottery and Gaming (OLG) is in the midst of a selection process for an operator to oversee expanded gaming operations at the Woodbine site, which will bring live table games, expanded and modernized slots, and a greatly enhanced gaming environment to an already popular gaming facility.
In conjunction with the anticipated expansion of the gaming operations, WEG is embarking on a large-scale redevelopment of the adjacent lands to create a dynamic mixed-use district that integrates entertainment, recreation, racing, gaming, dining, education, employment, residential living, and more. The redevelopment plans are subject to meeting a number of conditions established by Toronto City Council in 2015 when it approved expanded gaming as a willing host municipality at Woodbine Racetrack.