Province announces new GO station near Woodbine

The province and Metrolinx have announced plans to go ahead with a new GO station next to Woodbine Racetrack.

Transportation Minister Jeff Yurek and Metrolinx officials made the announcement on Wednesday, saying the new station would come “at no cost to taxpayers.”

Woodbine Entertainment — which owns the current racetrack and casino complex — will pay for the design and development of the new GO station.

The company estimates the project will cost between $75 million and $90 million and could not immediately give a date for its completion.

According to a Metrolinx report from November, the new station — which would be located west of Highway 27 near the racetrack — would be part of a major GO service expansion that could replace the existing Etobicoke North Station a couple of couple of kilometres to the east.

An estimated 625 riders use Etobicoke North daily, but that number is expected to jump significantly at the new station because of plans to build an integrated entertainment complex at the site.

The 700-acre entertainment complex is expected to include an expanded casino, a performance venue, retail and commercial spaces, restaurants, and hotels.

Close to 800 parking spots will be available at the new GO station, as well as pick-up and drop-off sites that could accommodate 45 vehicles.

The Metrolinx report also indicated that the Woodbine station could be serve as a stop on the UP Express and potentially extend to the Finch West LRT. It could also lead to the implementation of a high-speed rail on the Kitchener GO corridor.

The report also estimates the total cost of building the new station would be between $95-120 million.

With files from The Canadian Press