UrbanToronto Updates from the Industry for April 19, 2022: A new state-of-the-art library and recreation space is opening in Vaughan's downtown core

Urbantoronto.ca
April 20, 2022

Vaughan’s emerging downtown core -- the Vaughan Metropolitan Centre (VMC) -- is home to Vaughan’s first university, first subway station and, now, a new state-of-the-art recreation facility and library. On Monday, April 25, the City of Vaughan, Vaughan Public Libraries (VPL) and the YMCA will open the doors to the new David Braley Vaughan Metropolitan Centre of Community -- and you’re invited to check it out!

Drop by that day between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. for a guided tour of the Vaughan Studios & Event Space and between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. to explore the new VPL branch and take a self-guided tour. Staff will be on-site to help answer any questions. The official opening ceremony and ribbon-cutting event will take place in June. Stay tuned for further event details!

The facility includes the City’s newest recreation venue -- Vaughan Studios & Event Space, VPL’s latest branch -- the VMC Library and VMC Express Library -- and a YMCA recreation facility. Located in the heart of the VMC at 200 Apple Mill Rd., it is just steps away from the VMC subway station, making it easily accessible to the entire community.

Learn more about each facility space:

Vaughan Studios & Event Space
The Vaughan Studios & Event Space is a new 19,000-square-foot recreation venue with a rooftop terrace. Its design parallels the modern, urban lifestyle of the area and features sophisticated, state-of-the-art amenities for the community to enjoy, including:

a 3,350-square-foot studio with a skyfold partition and gallery that exits to a rooftop terrace
two studios (825- and 1,190-square feet)
a 592-square-foot professional music recording studio
a 1,450-square-foot gourmet teaching kitchen

The venue will offer premium recreation programming for the community, including a Dancing Chefs summer camp where kids aged 10 to 14 years old can learn how to cook dishes in the gourmet kitchen and perform in the dance studio. Camp details will be released soon; for more information visit vaughan.ca/camps. For regular updates regarding recreation programming for all ages, visit vaughan.ca/recreation.

The space will also be available for the community to rent for private functions. Individuals or organizations interested in renting a facility can pick up a permitting rate card at the Vaughan Studios & Event Space or get it online vaughan.ca/VSES.

VMC Library and VMC Express
Two new VPL locations will be accessible in the David Braley Vaughan Metropolitan Centre of Community: a 9,000-square-foot modern and innovative VMC Library and a 400-square-foot self-serve storefront called VMC Express. The VMC Library will feature an extensive collection of new and popular titles and resources for all age groups, including books, videogames, magazines, movies and more. The VMC Express will offer some of the most in-demand items to borrow quickly for those on the go.

The VMC Library will offer a full suite of programs, including storytimes, book clubs and technology training. The facility also includes:

an interactive family space with radiant flooring in the children’s storytime area
sensory equipment and an activity station
culinary literacy programming offered in the gourmet teaching kitchen
innovative technologies, including a laptop dispensing kiosk, self-checks and automated book return
a reading lounge with comfortable seating
individual and group study areas
free Wi-Fi
Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) compliance

Additional details are available at vaughanpl.info.

YMCA at The David Braley Vaughan Metropolitan Centre of Community
The YMCA features state-of-the-art facilities, including a fully equipped aquatics area, an innovative childcare centre, quality programming for every age and stage and so much more. For more information, visit braleycentre.ymcagta.org.