A new youth hub in Mississauga is being built next to Glenforest Secondary School, shown here in late 2023.

A new community youth hub being built in Mississauga has received the additional $4.8 million needed to keep construction on track.

Expected to open later this year or early in 2027 in the city’s east end, the $21.6-million Glenforest Youth Hub will be the second such facility in Mississauga (the $12.6-million Malton Youth Hub Jonathan Davis Centre opened in late 2023).

Last week at Peel Region council, the extra $4.8 million for the project requested by Mississauga Ward 3 Coun. Chris Fonseca via a motion was approved. The region will dip into its 2027 budget to help finance its half of the project, with the other 50 per cent of the tab picked up by the City of Mississauga.

Peel Region had initially set aside $6 million for the Glenforest hub — based on the same 50-50 funding split in place for the first Mississauga youth facility — and Fonseca’s motion brought forth at regional council on Feb. 12 sought another $4.8 million to cover Peel’s equal share of the additional project costs.

At Mississauga city council one day earlier, the councillor said the extra cash was needed from the region to keep construction of the Glenforest Youth Hub “moving along.”

Work began in summer 2024 on demolition of the indoor swimming pool at Glenforest Secondary School in Mississauga. A new youth hub is being built in its place. (Photo: Mayor Carolyn Parrish X)

The Glenforest Youth Hub, to be located at Fieldgate Drive and Burnhamthorpe Road East in the Dixie-Bloor area, carries a significantly higher price tag than the Malton youth centre due in large part to construction costs that have “escalated significantly from 2021 to 2026,” project leaders said.

Fonseca pointed out in her motion’s preamble that construction costs have increased significantly the past several years “due to rising material and labour costs and global tariffs, resulting in a 50 per cent increase in capital requirements for new community infrastructure projects such as the Glenforest Youth Hub.”

To be located on the same site as Glenforest Secondary School at 3575 Fieldgate Dr., the new standalone youth hub will occupy 18,000 square feet and was given the green light thanks to the success of the Malton Youth Hub Jonathan Davis Centre, which opened in late 2023.

Mississauga Ward 3 Coun. Chris Fonseca said the additional $4.8 from Peel Region was needed to help offset rising construction costs.

Mayor Carolyn Parrish, who years ago pushed for the Malton youth centre to be built when she served as city councillor there, told INsauga.com in late 2025 she expects the Glenforest hub to open its doors to the youth community in late 2026 or early 2027.

Once the Glenforest Youth Hub opens, the City of Mississauga will be responsible for managing and operating the centre, including funding and administering the ongoing operating costs associated with staffing, maintenance, programming, facility upkeep and the coordination of on-site social service providers.

Among other features and services, the completed hub will offer:

Free meal programs similar to the successful programs at the Malton Youth Hub.
A dedicated, purpose-designed space for social service agencies to deliver a range of supports for local youth including physical and mental health services, employment and skills development programs, community safety and violence prevention initiatives, family support and counselling, and other wraparound services essential to improving youth well being.

The Glenforest Youth Hub will see the high school’s former swimming pool area converted into the new youth centre. The pool was demolished in summer 2024 in preparation for the new facility.

Mississauga officials said earlier the Glenforest Youth Hub, when it opens, will provide services and programs “that reflect the needs of local youth aimed at fostering growth, creativity and connection.”

It will be designed “with inclusion at its core, ensuring all young people can fully participate in the future activities that will be offered,” they added.


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