Council directs staff to pause Towne Square revitalization project to address concerns

Town Council directed staff to pause the Towne Square revitalization project to allow staff to work with downtown businesses and residents to address concerns and develop potential mitigation measures to address them. 

Towne Square has served as the hub of downtown Oakville since its completion over 30 years ago and remains vitally important to the culture, vibrancy and prosperity of downtown core. 

The project was originally scheduled to begin October 2025 with completion in June 2026. Due to scope changes to achieve peak construction standards and cost efficiency, the construction schedule was revised to January-November 2026. Throughout the public consultation key community partners within the Towne Square expressed concerns that an 11-month construction period, coupled with no opportunity for summer patio season could significantly impact the economic viability of the restaurants and businesses within Towne Square.  

In response to this feedback, staff are recommending the project be paused to allow time for a fulsome review and the development of additional mitigation measures in collaboration with community partners. A project update will be presented to Council in the second quarter of 2026.

Project 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 connecting Lakeshore Road with Towne Square
• An 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

For more information, visit the Towne Square page.

Background

The Towne Square revitalization project was previously paused in 2018 due to the Lakeshore Road construction, followed by the pandemic, other significant corporate priorities, and a focus on economic recovery of the downtown business area.  

Quote 

“We are taking the time to get it right for everyone. The complication from the previously unknown need to work on the garage below the square made the original timeline damaging to the businesses and unsustainable.”

– Mayor Rob Burton