A new performing arts centre that would replace the Living Arts Centre and rival the largest in Canada and a highrise hotel and convention facility as big as 500,000 square feet are highlights of the city\u2019s vision that would permanently reshape Mississauga\u2019s downtown.<\/p>\n
City officials have stressed plans are in the very early stages, that they\u2019re still exploring options for a reimagined downtown core and that residents will be kept in the loop as the process moves forward.<\/p>\n
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Rendering of what a new downtown Mississauga could look like. (Image: City of Mississauga)<\/p>\n
Crombie, who\u2019s challenging incumbent Mayor Carolyn Parrish and city councillors Alvin Tedjo and Dipika Damerla in the 2026 mayoral race, said Mississauga residents don\u2019t need a pricey City Centre redevelopment; they need lower taxes, good jobs, safer streets and less traffic congestion.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are in an affordability crisis. This election is about needs, not wants,\u201d said Crombie, who unveiled her platform shortly after noon just steps away from the Living Arts Centre. \u201cCarolyn Parrish has raised taxes 15 per cent in two years. Now she is championing a $2.5-billion vanity project. Billion with a B. Her priorities are wrong, and residents are paying the price.\u201d<\/p>\n
The proposed redevelopment of the Living Arts Centre and surrounding civic lands includes a hotel, convention centre and elevated park, the Crombie campaign noted in a news release Thursday afternoon.<\/p>\n
Crombie, who was mayor from 2014 to 2024 before leaving Mississauga to take the reins of the Ontario Liberal Party, pledged today \u201cto stop the scheme, preserve the Living Arts Centre\u2019s community and cultural role, and redirect city resources and future spending toward residents\u2019 priorities.<\/p>\n
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\u201cPeople are asking for homes they can afford and transit that gets them where they need to go,\u201d Crombie continued. \u201cI want to get housing built, secure funding to deliver the downtown loop and bring a subway into the heart of Mississauga. That is how we build a downtown that works for the people who live here.\u201d<\/p>\n
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(Image: City of Mississauga)<\/p>\n
Parrish told INSAUGA Canada on Thursday she stands firmly behind the downtown proposal, in particular a new performing arts venue, noting City of Mississauga staff have \u201cworked on this plan for over a year.\u201d<\/p>\n
Parrish added senior staff \u201care 100 per cent behind it rather than patching up the LAC at $120 million so it can continue losing $2 million a year because it only has 1,000 seats.\u201d<\/p>\n
In addition, the city has an economic plan that shows $2.5 to $3.5 billion in revenue \u201cfrom the complex we are planning, both from local residents and tourist visitors,\u201d Parrish said. \u201cThe construction jobs alone will boost the economy in a time when the economy is slowing and tariffs hang over our heads.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe current $2.5 billion in tourism dollars the city collects translates to an $1,100 tax reduction per average property owner. A revenue-producing complex will only make that better.\u201d<\/p>\n
Parrish added the $2.5-billion estimate for the downtown redevelopment proposal \u201cincludes a rental building, which the city isn\u2019t building, and a five-star hotel, which the city isn\u2019t building.\u201d<\/p>\n
A master plan for the downtown core<\/p>\n
She further noted the City of Mississauga\u2019s \u201cVision 21,\u201d a master plan for the downtown core approved in 2010, \u201cwas put on a shelf and never looked at again.<\/p>\n
\u201cOnce a dream, I will make this a reality,\u201d Parrish said.<\/p>\n
The city\u2019s 2010 plan looked at transforming the downtown core from a car-centric area into a place where people can comfortably walk around and enjoy the various attractions.<\/p>\n
Crombie also said on Thursday that \u201ccancelling the (downtown) redevelopment, reviewing spending and finding administrative savings would help make room\u201d for other priorities \u2014 including lowering taxes, supporting frontline police, and protecting jobs and seniors \u2014 should voters return her to the mayor\u2019s seat.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe can look after the Living Arts Centre and support local artists without pursuing Parrish\u2019s $2.5-billion scheme. We have more pressing work to do,\u201d Crombie added.<\/p>\n
Initial vision for the downtown was presented in March<\/p>\n
Mississauga city council approved in principle in March a sweeping concept<\/a> that would dramatically remake the downtown area directly north of city hall, on lands anchored by the Living Arts Centre.<\/p>\n The new-look downtown core of Canada\u2019s seventh-largest city, should it come to fruition in the years ahead, would rise up on 12 acres of City of Mississauga-owned land just steps to the north of city hall and anchored by the large parcel of real estate currently occupied by the LAC, senior city staff said in their initial report to council in early March.<\/p>\n In a followup report in the summer, staff added that \u201cconcurrent with public engagement, staff will advance comprehensive business cases for the convention centre and hotel, and the music venue, incorporating financial analysis, economic impact assessment and market sounding.\u201d<\/p>\n The concept that dramatically reimagines the city\u2019s downtown area has also received enthusiastic approval from Mississauga\u2019s business community<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cPivotal moment\u201d for the City Centre<\/p>\n In staff\u2019s first report, brought to council on March 11, they said Mississauga\u2019s downtown \u201cis at a pivotal moment of transformation, driven by major transit investments, sustained population and employment growth, and increasing demand for culture, tourism and employment infrastructure.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cCity-owned lands, particularly the LAC property and surrounding civic lands, represent a once-in-a-generation opportunity to shape the downtown\u2019s long-term economic, cultural and civic role.\u201d<\/p>\n Core components of the proposed vision include:<\/p>\n A new state-of-the-art music hub that would include a 2,500-to-5,000-capacity performance venue to replace the LAC (current capacity of 1,120 rising to 1,680), recording studios and a music school located on the 3.4-acre Community Common park parcel of land. The Living Arts Centre, which opened in 1997, would be replaced with a much larger venue if the city\u2019s plan comes to fruition.<\/p>\n Initially, the city revealed plans last year to redevelop the area around the LAC<\/a>, Mississauga\u2019s largest performing arts and culture facility, and simply improve \u2014 but not replace \u2014 the performing arts venue itself.<\/p>\n
\nA 400,000-to-500,000-sq.-ft. convention centre and hotel to be \u201cpositioned as a regional economic and tourism catalyst.\u201d The highrise hotel would include some 400 rooms.
\nNew nine-storey office and 20-storey rental housing developments to support employment growth and downtown vitality.
\nA redesigned and widened Princess Royal Drive and abutting atrium-style open space \u201cthat will prioritize programming and events and retail activity to animate the downtown and to generate more pedestrian activity.\u201d
\nA precinct-based parking strategy including 1,500 to 3,000 new underground parking spaces beneath Community Common \u201cto support shared civic, cultural and commercial uses and tunnel connections.\u201d
\nA signature Sky Park and enhanced programmable Community Common urban park, \u201cstrengthening downtown open space and civic identity.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/LAC-stock-pic-from-City-of-Missy-1024x576-1-1.jpg\")
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