‘A shame to lose it’: Centennial Park batting cages, go-kart track to close in November

A popular park in Etobicoke is on the verge of a significant makeover.

A section of Centennial Park has been attracting residents for years due to its go-kart track and historic batting cages. The buzz of activity along the go-kart track and the excitement seen on children’s faces indicate how precious this place has been to Etobicoke and locals.

The private owners of public lands have been informed it’s time to hit the brakes to make room for other amenities as part of a new “Centennial Park Master Plan,” which the city updated in 2021. It’s described as implementing park improvements in a phased approach.

The batting cages and beach volleyball courts will soon make way for a larger baseball complex with four fields, while the small ski hills nearby will be transformed into hiking and skating trails. Indigenous elements will also be incorporated into the outdoor spaces alongside new playgrounds.

The proposed facilities include a cricket pitch, multi-use and pickleball courts, a new stadium bubble and a skateboard park.

The decision on these sweeping changes was made by Toronto’s city council a few years ago, but now efforts to save the facilities include a petition with more than 20,000 signatures both online and in person.

Don Duggan, owner of Centennial Mini-Indy, is disheartened by the news.

“This has been a part of the community for many, many years,” he said on Wednesday. “I understand the park is getting revamped, but it’s a place to kill an hour and have some fun.”

Councillor says it’s in the best interest of the community

Etobicoke-Centre councillor Stephen Holyday defended the multi-phased re-development of Centennial Park, alluding to the changes being best suited for the present.

“Their leases are expiring, so the question has come up and then put the public,” Holyday said. “How do you best use the precious square inches of the park that we have across the city, and what is relevant in 2023? The priorities of the citizens. I think we’ve come up with a plan that offers a little bit of something to everybody.”

Those running the operations believe more could be done to keep the motors running and baseball bats swinging a little longer.

“We knew eventually it would happen, but we didn’t know it would happen immediately or even in a couple of months,” said Ethan Mitchell, owner of Diamond Beach Sports. “That’s kind of a bit of a blow. And if we get extended to 2034, hey, we’re happy.”

Others chimed in and aren’t as optimistic.

“I think it’s really sad. This place is been around forever,” another woman said on Wednesday. “I work nearby. I come here after lunch.”

“I think it’s awful. This is a great thing for Etobicoke,” said another resident. “I mean, you’ve got the golf course across the road and mini putt and go-karting and baseball. It would be a shame to lose it.”

Signs posted on the Centennial Park grounds throughout encourage people to add their names to the petition and reach out to elected officials directly.

Centennial Park is Toronto’s second-largest park.