City of Markham spends $188M to purchase Shouldice Hospital lands in Thornhill for public use

Original application proposed development of 5 towers with 1,287 residential units

Yorkregion.com
Sept. 13, 2022
Irene Wong

The debatable massive development of Shouldice Hospital lands in Thornhill has taken a sudden turn.

The City of Markham announced it has pursued and agreed to purchase 7750 Bayview Ave., also known as the Shouldice Property, in Thornhill. Markham will use the nine-hectare (22-acre) site for a variety of purposes, including:

As a new public park and open space

Conservation of the former McCullagh Estate

Other public/municipal community uses

The existing lease with the Shouldice Hospital, specializing in hernia care since 1945

“By purchasing this coveted site, Markham is advancing the goals of its Integrated Leisure Master Plan in this part of the city. The natural beauty of the site makes it one of Markham’s crown jewels and we are delighted to bring it into public ownership for use by the entire Markham community,” said Mayor Frank Scarpitti.

The $188-million purchase price will be funded by reserves specific for the purpose of acquiring and creating city parkland. Property tax dollars are not being used for this purchase.

Markham is purchasing the lands from a limited partnership managed by Liberty Development Corporation. There is a current application to develop the site for a mixed-use development of 1,287 residential units shared between three buildings (five towers) ranging between 18 and 35 storeys.

The breakthrough was announced by Ward 1 Coun. Keith Irish: “I am overjoyed that Markham council accepted a plan put forward by me and Mayor Scarpitti that will see ownership of these lands, in their entirety, transferred to the City of Markham.”

“I want to thank the property owner and its development manager, Liberty Development Corporation, for their willingness to co-operate with the City of Markham in this endeavour,” Scarpitti added. “Entering into this agreement helps advance Markham’s strategy to acquire green space in anticipation of future growth. With the population of Thornhill and the rest of Markham continuing to increase, especially with additional densities coming to Thornhill, acquiring this additional open space is an important strategic step.”

The city expects to formally conclude this land transaction by year’s end.