Markham Civic Centre

The Markham Civic Centre is the city hall of the city of Markham, Ontario. The brick and glass Civic Centre was designed by architect Arthur Erickson with Richard Stevens Architects Limited and opened on May 25, 1990. Entrances, except the great hall entrance, are named after communities in Markham (Unionville, Milliken, Thornhill), part of Erickson's mall theme. The building is adjacent to an 11.5 hectare park with a large pond reflecting the south façade.Building structureThe three storey complex is home to Markham City Council chambers - Rotunda wedding chapel annex mayor and councillor offices city offices public lobby winter garden executive wing council chambers committee rooms council library and archives A reflecting pond is located on the south side of the building alongside a 26,000 square foot skating rink - the largest outdoor refrigerated skating rink in the GTA, and operated in the winter months. The skating rink was constructed and officially opened in December 2011.Located next to the civic centre is the Markham Theatre and Unionville High School.The Civic Centre is a functional building providing office space and a number of public spaces for events in the Great Hall and Lower Atrium. The split level of the Great Hall comes with a two-storey glass front viewing the reflecting pond and wedding chapel.Bids and winning designThree architect firms were shortlisted to submitted designs in 1986 for the then Markham Municipal Centre, including Raymond Moriyama Erickson and Barton Myers Associates, but the final design was awarded to Erickson.