A long-awaited community centre planned beside the Howie-Morenz Arena returned to borough council this week, moving the project into a new stage of the municipal planning process.
The October 6 agenda for the Villeray–Saint-Michel–Parc-Extension borough council included a first draft resolution authorizing construction of a three-storey community centre on the arena property at 8650 Querbes Avenue. The resolution would also permit the required subdivision of the municipal property.
As a first project resolution, the measure represents a planning and zoning step. It is not a building permit, construction contract or confirmed opening date. The public agenda does not provide a final construction schedule.
Plans previously released by the federal government describe a multigenerational, carbon-neutral facility designed to bring services, recreational activities and community organizations together under one roof.
The proposed building is expected to include meeting rooms, common areas, a gymnasium, community kitchen, offices for neighbourhood organizations and a rooftop community garden. The federal description presents it as a place for residents to meet, learn and participate in recreational and community activities.
Ottawa announced $18,311,978 for the Parc-Extension project in July 2024 through the Green and Inclusive Community Buildings program. At that time, the Table de quartier de Parc-Extension was listed as contributing $16,622,157.
The need for consolidated community space became more visible after approximately 15 partner organizations moved their offices out of the William-Hingston complex on Saint-Roch Street.
Those groups were dispersed among several temporary or alternative locations. Some moved to Henri-Bourassa Boulevard, Hutchison Street, Parc Avenue and the Jean-Paul II chalet in Jarry Park. Afrique au féminin and the Comité d’action de Parc-Extension were among the organizations that began using space at Howie-Morenz Arena.
The proposed centre would provide a more permanent focal point for neighbourhood organizations whose services currently operate from several addresses.
The location has nevertheless generated debate. Arena users previously expressed concern that construction on the parking area could make the facility more difficult to access, especially for families carrying hockey equipment and athletes with limited mobility.
That concern remains particularly significant because Howie-Morenz is used for minor hockey, recreational skating and para hockey. The arena currently provides accessible parking, a passenger drop-off area and a paratransit drop-off zone. Para Hockey Montréal’s 2026–2027 practices are being held there on Wednesday evenings and Saturday mornings.
The summary placed before council on October 6 authorizes the three-storey building and subdivision, but does not describe a final parking or transportation arrangement.
The project therefore carries two important objectives that will have to coexist: delivering urgently needed community space in one of Montreal’s most densely populated neighbourhoods while preserving practical and accessible entry to the arena.
For Parc-Extension residents, the latest planning step shows that a project announced more than two years ago remains active. It also makes the details of accessibility, construction timing and the eventual operation of the centre the next issues to watch.
