Towne Square

Redevelopment of the Towne Square is a key town initiative as outlined in the Council Strategic Action Plan Update 2023-2026 (pdf). Towne Square has served as the hub of downtown Oakville for more than 35 years and remains vitally important to the culture, vibrancy and prosperity of the downtown core. It is being revitalized as part of a long-term investment to support Oakville’s growing community and economy.

The Town of Oakville has made some refinements to the approved design concept approved by Council in 2017 that responds to feedback received from consultations with the public, community and business partners, and interested parties. This revitalization promises an accessible, green, comfortable, distinctive, and vibrant square in the heart of downtown Oakville.

The project has an overall budget of $7.5 million that includes funding additional mitigation measures to deliver the project efficiently and responsibly.

Project update

In October 2025, Town Council responded to significant concerns raised by key community partners. These concerns included construction impacts, the loss of a summer patio season, and the potential for serious economic effects on restaurants and businesses in Towne Square.

As a result, Council directed staff to pause the Towne Square revitalization project. This pause allowed staff to work with downtown businesses and residents to address concerns and develop additional mitigation measures.

At the meeting on May 26, 2026, Council approved an updated plan from Parks and Open Space staff with additional mitigation measures to help move forward the Towne Square Revitalization Project. A phased construction plan will help keep the downtown open, support local businesses, and allow events to continue.

Construction is tentatively expected to begin in fall 2026 and will take place over approximately 13 months, with a planned winter pause. The project is tentatively scheduled for completion in late 2027.

Construction impacts will be carefully managed through targeted mitigation measures, such as continuous access to businesses and residences, off-site construction staging, dust and noise controls, and a creative aesthetically-pleasing hoarding design, as well as clear way-finding signs.

Downtown events will continue, with George Street identified as a temporary alternative area to ensure downtown vibrancy is maintained throughout the construction process. Popular events, such as the annual Holiday Tree Lighting, will also continue, using nearby spaces to keep the downtown vibrant and local traditions kept.

Additional background

As part of our plan to revitalize Oakville's historic downtown, we are redesigning Towne Square, a small but unique public space located at 210 Lakeshore Road East.

Towne Square is an important space for the business community and residents. Building on the work done on the downtown streetscape design, a new design for Towne Square will enhance the vibrancy of the neighbourhood and provide more opportunities for public events.

The redeveloped Towne Square will complement the Lakeshore Road streetscape and will incorporate the traditional style of furniture and materials endorsed by local residents and businesses and approved by Council in 2017 as part of the Lakeshore Road Reconstruction and Streetscape Project (pdf).

Final design refinements to preferred concept

The highlights below demonstrate the town’s commitment to addressing the public’s concerns brought forward in 2019 and comments from the delegation by Ward 3 Resident Associations in November 2024.

Highlights:

Accessible design including tonal contrast in pavers coupled with soft grade transitions between the promenade, lawn and stairs
More seating opportunities through planter walls, amphitheatre seating, and integrated bench seating, and flexible and movable seating options
Improved views and safety through strategically placed planters, while maintaining the feeling of an intimate square
Tree plantings along three sides of the square to provide shade and comfort
A distinctive water feature is a hinge point that ties Lakeshore Road with Towne Square
Enlarged central lawn area to accommodate a variety of different programs and uses
New paving, furnishings, light standards, and tree planters to complement the Lakeshore Road streetscape redevelopment

Past public consultation

Public consultation and feedback have been integral and fundamental to the design of the Towne Square project. Key stakeholders included Ward 3 Resident Associations, Brosko Property Management, Oakville Downtown, two residential condominiums bordering Towne Square, and the town’s Ward 3 Councillors. The following is a high-level timeline of the extensive public consultation to date that has resulted in a refined plan that is context sensitive, accessible, flexible for different programs, green, aligned with the capital budget, and realistic to operate and maintain.

June 2018: Four preliminary design concepts presented at public meeting for feedback
November 2018 to January 2019: Two refined concepts were presented at a public meeting and feedback shared by public through an online survey
January to March 2019: Concepts refined further, and the preferred concept was selected
April 2019: The preferred concept presented at a public meeting and supported, and a request for a commitment by town staff to explore reducing the size of the water feature, and increasing the amount of planting in the square
January 2020: Project was tendered and came in over budget. The project was put on hold until 2024
November 2024 to January 2025: Delegation by Ward 3 Resident Associations for refinements to the Towne Square design; further consultation undertaken to refine the final preferred concept while maintaining integrity and key elements of the design
December 2024: Town of Oakville Council approved 2025 capital budget funding for consultant fees required to refine the design concept, develop detailed design and tender documents for construction.
September 2025: A public meeting for the Towne Square Revitalization Project was held on September 10 where staff discussed the changes planned for Towne Square. Review the presentation slides (pdf).

Towne Square Revitalization Project

Project update

Additional background

Final design refinements to preferred concept

Artist concept of the revitalized Towne Square

Past public consultation

Contact

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