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. The building is adjacent to an 11.5-hectare park with a large pond reflecting the south façade.
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 design
Three 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. Erickson's original design was slightly different, but the Town intervened to keep costs at budget When the building was about to begin construction, Erickson's Toronto office faced financial difficulties.
Sculptures
There is a single piece of art work located to the east side of the Town Centre. The art work is a skeletal town hall theme with a bell attached.
Markham Civic Centre Ice
Located on south side of the building and open during winter, it is an artificial surface rink.
Franklin House 1873-1882: hotel was used as meeting place for Markham Village Town Council; located on the north side of the old village town hall it was demolished and now a parking lot
Markham Village Town Hall 1882-1946 - Italianate structure built by John Wilson 1882 was first permanent home to town council, also home to local jail, storage of volunteer fire brigade equipment and home to Masonic and Oddfellow Lodges; sold in 1946 to become a theatre and now housing private offices
Buttonville Township Offices - 8911 Woodbine Avenue - initially built for Buttonville Township Offices in 1950 and the modern/brutalist building has since been demolished and now Chapel Ridge Funeral Home and Cremation Centre
