An artist’s rendering of the new Woodbine Live entertainment complex, next to the existing Woodbine racetrack.
courtesy artist rendition
News Reporter
The completion of a nearly $1-billion dollar entertainment, retail and hotel complex near North Campus could mean more opportunities for students and graduates, says Humber president John Davies.
“If you think about what they’re going to be involved in hospitality, tourism, food services, sports, retail, fashion — we do all of that here,” said Davies. “So the opportunities for placements of students in jobs in terms of internships would be wonderful for us. A lot of Humber students would find jobs at Woodbine Live.”
The first phase of Woodbine Live will begin construction later this year. The 10-hectare entertainment district near Woodbine Racetrack is expected to be completed in two years.
It will include bars, restaurants, retail, a four-star hotel and convention centre, a 2,000-square metre live performance venue and a high-end multiplex theatre. Phase Two consists of commercial office buildings and a residential district.
The city is working with community employment agencies to ensure that North Etobicoke residents benefit from the addition to their community.
“There are more than 9,000 jobs coming into our community and we want to enable people to access them,” said Coun. Suzan Hall, who represents the area.
“We're not guaranteeing any jobs but we want to give these individuals the first opportunity. We're also looking at establishing a process that can be used across the city because this entertainment complex is attracting other developers.”
Toronto Mayor David Miller says the addition of Woodbine Live to the area may mean light rail transit lines could extend south from Finch down to Humber and the new entertainment complex.
“The decision hasn’t been made whether it will come south to Humber College and Woodbine but it helps make the case,” said Miller. “Now there are two destinations. Humber College and Woodbine Live would merit significant transit use and that helps to justify the route.”
According to Woodbine Entertainment’s vice-president of corporate affairs, the project is expected to attract 15 million visitors annually.
“It's going to be a major tourist draw,” said Jane Holmes, vice president of Corporate Affairs for Woodbine Entertainment. “It's a very large development, not only for infrastructure and the city, but it's going to revitalize North Etobicoke.