Whitby Council Highlights -August 2026

Council has approved two targeted strategies aimed at incentivizing the development of a hotel and conference centre and more purpose-built rental housing.

As part of the Hotel and Conference Centre Attraction Program approved by council in April 2026, a 50 per cent discount on the Town’s development charges will be available to applicants that have building permits issued within 18 months – by February 29, 2028

The program for purpose-built rental housing will discount residential development charges by up to 50 per cent and allow them to be paid over 10 years following occupancy.

Bringing a hotel and conference centre to Whitby and expanding both the supply and range of housing options in our community are both priorities in Whitby’s 2023-2026 Community Strategic Plan.

Learn more in Mayor Roy’s Aug. 27 statement here: https://www.whitby.ca/news/posts/statement-from-whitby-mayor-elizabeth-roy-on-new-incentives-to-attract-a-hotel-and-conference-centre-and-support-rental-housing/

Council has voted to approve a resolution to support the Town’s application for provincial funding to support plans to expand Whitby’s new fire training tower into a comprehensive fire training campus.

This would include classroom space, vehicle-extrication training facilities, and new training technology.

The estimated project cost is $5.2 million. The Town is applying for $2.5 million in funding from the province and would use existing approved capital budget to fund the rest.

The facility would enhance Whitby’s ability to train firefighters locally, as opposed to relying on neighbouring municipalities and create new opportunities for training partnerships and revenue generation.   

Council has approved a ten-year sponsorship agreement with Royal Ashburn Golf Club for naming rights for the pool at the new Fieldgate Sports Complex. Under the agreement, the pool will be named “Royal Ashburn Pool” for the term until 2036. The Town will receive $25,000 in revenue per year for a total of $250,000.

This is in addition to other naming rights agreements for the new facility including a 10-year, $1.5 million title sponsor agreement with Fieldgate Homes, and 10-year arena sponsorships with Longo’s and Whitby Toyota valued at $250,000 each over the term. Whitby Toyota is also sponsoring the pickleball courts at the facility through a 10-year, $700,000 agreement.

The addition of the Royal Ashburn agreement brings the total revenue over the 10-year term to $2.9 million. 

Council has approved operating Luther Vipond Memorial Arena in Brooklin as an indoor turf facility following the cessation of ice operations and approved $67,150 to purchase and install turf.

Town staff have confirmed approximately 915 permit hours for the 2026/2027 indoor season from Whitby Minor Lacrosse, Whitby Football Club, Whitby Eagles and the Arena Lacrosse League, contingent upon turf installation. Installation of turf also maintains the facility's ability to support the Brooklin Spring Fair and Durham Farm Connections.

The conversion is expected to generate approximately $46,553 in annual net permit revenue annually and recover the initial capital investment in approximately 1.4 operating seasons.