WWW.TOWNOFBWG.COM BRADFORD WEST GWILLIMBURY, ON ONTARIO’S FASTEST GROWING HUB OF COMMUNITY AND OPPORTUNITY
BRADFORD WEST GWILLIMBURY, ON ONTARIO’S FASTEST G COMMUNITY AND OPP AT A GLANCE THE TOWN OF BRADFORD WEST GWILLIMBURY (BWG) WHAT: B WG is a thriving community that has evolved from its agricultural roots into a dynamic, urbanized hub. WHERE: Simcoe County, Ontario, just north of the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). WEBSITE: www.townofbwg.com 1 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 01
South-central Ontario’s diverse landscape is at the precipice of transformative growth, largely due to blooming towns like Bradford West Gwillimbury (BWG). Nestled on the southern edge of Simcoe County, just north of the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), Bradford West Gwillimbury’s proactive leadership, policies, and projects have allowed its small-town charm to evolve into a thriving culture of recreation and urban convenience. The town has adopted a holistic approach focusing on five vital pillars: healthcare, education, recreation, culture, and community safety. Bradford West Gwillimbury’s partnerships concentrate on providing closer specialized services for residents to achieve this. BWG also pursues collaborations with leading universities, establishes roots in the community, and offers secondary education opportunities that prepare local youth for the future. GROWING HUB OF PORTUNITY HOW BALANCING ECONOMIC EXPANSION AND SUSTAINABILITY HAS IMPROVED THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR BWG RESIDENTS 2 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 01
Simultaneously, its bold, resident-centered infrastructure projects demonstrate the town’s commitment to sustainability and smart urbanization. The developmental principle is simple: the best way to nurture the community’s essence is through cutting-edge projects prioritizing people’s quality of life. Additionally, BWG already has programs encouraging businesses to settle down and establish roots.These programs ensure robust economic growth while delivering tangible benefits to families through education, healthcare, and cultural enrichment. Overall, Bradford West Gwillimbury’s pace of growth has been slow but steady. When visitors arrive, they find people working, playing, and thriving and a community culture that residents cherish. With a population that has grown from 10,000 to 48,000 during the last 28 years—and projections to reach 85,000 within the next 25 years—BWG proudly stands as Ontario’s next epicenter of multifaceted development. A TOWN KNOWN FOR ITS GEOGRAPHY, CULTURE, COMMUNITY INITIATIVES BWG’s community is rooted in its farming heritage. The town is home to the Holland Marsh, often called the “Salad Bowl of Ontario,” which serves as a vital agricultural crossing and a scenic gateway for visitors arriving via the 400 highway. “We are a farming community, but we’re still bringing in manufacturing, and we have an employment land area. We’re changing, but our culture has always been all about inclusiveness and diversity. We’re the most diverse community in Simcoe County,” says Mayor James Leduc. With 25% of its residents identifying as immigrants, Bradford West Gwillimbury is considered a multicultural tapestry by many, and this fact is reflected in the town’s festivals, events, and recreational atmosphere. “Bradford’s location is just on the outer edge of the GTA. We’re the southernmost valley of Simecoe County, which gives us the perfect location for 3 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 01 BRADFORD WEST GWILLIMBURY, ON
anybody that wants to live here and can work in Toronto,” Mayor Leduc states. With a GO Transit station providing a direct link to Toronto in just 45 minutes and easy access to outdoor recreation such as fishing, hiking, and skiing to the north, BWG offers a unique blend of urban accessibility and natural serenity. BWG also leverages various media channels to share its story, from local outlets like BradfordToday to broader regional networks like Rogers Media. BWG also produces a quarterly magazine called Connected, which informs residents about community updates, events, and infrastructure projects. The town values modern media channels, so it also uses social and other digital platforms to showcase its family-friendly environment, robust housing market, and diverse lifestyle opportunities. As Mayor Leduc puts it,“This is a wonderful place to raise a family, invest, and thrive.“ That is largely due to his overall growth strategy for the town, which centers on more than just business—it prioritizes community well-being. The introduction of a concierge program exemplifies this focus. The program is designed to connect new residents and businesses with essential services like schools, housing, and healthcare providers, ensuring they feel at home and supported. This program works in tandem with BWG’s healthcare investments. Upcoming announcements in early 2025 will detail new local healthcare facilities, reducing residents’ need to travel for essential medical services. “We’ve signed an MOU (memorandum of understanding) with Southlake Health, which is looking to provide services closer to home. So, we’re taking hospital services and bringing them to our community,” Mayor Leduc explains. Furthermore, education is another pillar of Bradford’s development framework. “We are aggressively working with some universities 4 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 01
As a landlord and developer in Bradford West Gwillimbury, Choice Properties is proud to play a meaningful role in the growth and vibrancy of the town. “Our mission is to create enduring value through Places where People Thrive—a vision that aligns seamlessly with the town’s goals for economic development and community enrichment,” said Mario Fatica, SVP, Commercial Development, Choice Properties. Their property at 500 Holland Street West stands as a testament to this commitment. They are excited to have announced their partnership with Nautical Lands Group and Wellings Communities to bring an innovative senior living community to Bradford West Gwillimbury at their existing retail centre. The “Wellings of Bradford” will offer a dynamic and vibrant environment for active adults aged 55 and over. With a focus on independence and community, it is designed to meet the needs of today’s seniors without the additional costs associated with traditional retirement homes. The thoughtfully designed community spaces, such as the fitness room, pub, and outdoor patio, support the Wellings vision of an active, engaging lifestyle. The development will intensify Choice’s existing retail centre located at 500 Holland St West, presenting a remarkable opportunity to positively impact future residents, retail tenants, and the surrounding community. With prime access to essential amenities Choice Properties Creates Places Where People Thrive including grocery and pharmacy and the many offerings at 500 Holland, residents will experience unmatched convenience. Last Spring, Choice Properties also introduced “Bradford Patio” at 500 Holland, a thoughtfully designed public amenity that offers a welcoming space for shoppers and locals to gather, connect and play. It provided outdoor dining accommodations, permanent pergola shading, colourful Muskoka chairs and beautifully landscaped surroundings. “We were thrilled to see this become a hub of activity for the town. What resulted was a sense of community and the neighbourhood coming together,” said Orit Sarfaty, VP, Sustainability and Placemaking, Choice Properties. Wellings of Bradford Bradford West Gwillimbury, ON Bradford Patio 500 Holland St West Bradford West Gwillimbury, ON
Choice Properties’ collaboration with Mayor James Leduc, Deputy Mayor Raj Sandhu, and town council has been instrumental in bringing projects like these to life. The Town’s forward-thinking approach to local economic development has created an environment where businesses and residents alike can flourish. By working closely with the town’s leadership, Choice Properties has been able to ensure their initiatives not only meet community needs but also enhance the overall livability of the area. “We’re excited to keep working with Major James Leduc on boosting the economy and bringing people together in Bradford West Gwillimbury. We’re all about building strong communities and creating spaces where everyone can thrive,” adds Orit Sarfaty. Choice Properties is a leading Real Estate Investment Trust that creates enduring value through places where people thrive. We are more than a national owner, operator and developer of high-quality commercial and residential real estate. We believe in creating spaces that enhance how our tenants and communities come together to live, work, and connect. choicereit.ca
in Ontario and looking to see if they’d like to establish roots here in Bradford. Eventually, we will be a larger community, and if we can provide those secondary education opportunities right here at home, we certainly want to do that,” Mayor Leduc says. By offering education opportunities locally, BWG seeks to foster a sense of hometown pride among young professionals, making them more likely to settle in and invest in their community. ADDRESSING KEY INFRASTRUCTURE AND ECONOMIC NEEDS With a focus on residential well-being, Bradford West Gwillimbury’s growth strategy emphasizes the logistical necessities associated with it, namely supportive infrastructure and commercial activity. The town will invest $469 million over the next 10 years in key municipal infrastructure. Its key projects include expanding its wastewater treatment plant, a $90 million initiative, and a $30 million downtown revitalization project, which aims to transform Holland Street into a pedestrianfriendly hub while preserving its historic charm. There are more examples, but the centerpiece of these efforts is the Bradford Bypass, a provincial highway project poised to transform the town into a logistical hub for Ontario’s economy. This project is estimated to invest $28 billion in infrastructure across the region over the next decade. Bradford also offers a comprehensive Community Improvement Program (CIP) to incentivize new businesses to prepare for and engage with the upcoming infrastructure changes. “We have what we call a CIP program that helps with small funding, potential tax increment deferrals, grants, permit fees subsidies, and things like that,” Mayor Leduc says. With three tailored programs—industrial, downtown, and seniors housing CIPs—the town can ensure 7 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 01 BRADFORD WEST GWILLIMBURY, ON
For over 32 years, Rosehaven Homes has been designing, selling and building homes throughout the GTA and Southern Ontario, offering a recognizably higher level of quality that leads to a noticeably better experience for homeowners and their families. We are so proud to be a part of the Business View Magazine featuring the well established Town of Bradford - West Gwillumbury. Rosehaven Homes has had the privilege of building single detached homes and townhouses at the Dreamfields Community in Bradford, along with fellow builders Aspen Ridge Homes and Country Wide Homes. We recognize the vibrance of the existing community and we are so happy that Our Homeowners have chosen to call a Rosehaven Home in Bradford, “their forever home.” In 2025, we are excited to announce our brand new planned community of Simcoe Woods featuring a new premier collection of towns and single-detached homes coming soon to Alcona. Located at Innisfil Beach Road and Webster Boulevard just five minutes from the shores of Lake Simcoe, this new community is just moments away from the town’s selection of amenities, featuring beautiful green spaces, and easy access to the waterfront and Highway 400. Don’t miss your chance to be part of this wonderful new opportunity! OUR YOUR Passion Home Since 1992, Rosehaven’s portfolio has grown to include over 9,000 homes and condos across southern Ontario and the GTA. The combination of exquisite exterior and interior design, superior construction, and unparalleled customer service is what differentiates us as a builder. Visit ROSEHAVEN.COM to learn more about our current and upcoming communities across the GTA in Hamilton, Caledon, Bradford, Oakville, Stoney Creek and Innisfil. COMING SOON TO INNISFIL Towns and Singles in the lakeside community of Almira, located in an established community just off Innisfil Beach Road. REGISTER NOW AT ROSEHAVEN.COM
targeted support for its sectors. BWG’s town council is also exploring ways to expand these programs community-wide, especially as it moves towards creating more employment opportunities via the 400 highway, which incoming businesses have already taken advantage of. “We’ve had Toromont, Canada, come to our community. They’ve built a 140,000-square-foot facility and plan on expanding that facility as they move forward,” Mayor Leduc says, highlighting some of the local businesses that have already positively impacted Bradford West Gwillimbury’s economy. Rieker Shoes has also brought its headquarters and first non-European facility to the BWG community. Additionally, the town’s already robust automotive industry is positioned to develop, with manufacturing giants like Kumi, Channel Industrial, and Spectra Aluminum set to expand their employment opportunities. Fortunately, with these businesses leading the charge, Bradford West Gwillimbury is predicted to grow by about 30,000 jobs. RESIDENTIAL LEISURE AND A CUTTINGEDGE FUTURE ON THE HORIZON Bradford West Gwillimbury’s leaders have prioritized projects that promote cultural and physical wellbeing. The new Civic Centre, slated for completion in 2025, will be a multifaceted facility combining administrative, recreational, and cultural spaces. Key features include a state-of-the-art performing arts center with a 300-seat capacity, a gym, and fitness facilities. Adjacent to the Civic Centre, plans are underway for an 18-acre park that will offer passive recreation opportunities. While construction is scheduled for 2026, design efforts are already in progress, ensuring the park will be a tranquil space for residents to connect with nature. Additionally, the town’s Civic Square, set to open in June, will serve as a central gathering space for events, farmers’ markets, and cultural activities, complete with a water feature and outdoor stage. Transportation innovation is another hallmark of Bradford’s growth strategy.The town recently signed an agreement with Argo, a tech-forward firm founded by Canadian software specialists from Silicon Valley. This partnership will introduce an all-electric, ondemand transit service, the first of its kind in the region. Set to launch in April 2025, this $1-perride service will provide door-to-door transit, complementing existing bus routes and reducing 9 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 01 BRADFORD WEST GWILLIMBURY, ON
As Bradford West Gwillimbury continues its journey from a small town to a thriving community, its leaders remain steadfast in their mission to build a place where residents can live stress-free, fulfilling lives. Approaching its next chapter, the town’s leadership remains focused on creating a community that balances growth with quality of life. From stateof-the-art infrastructure to vibrant green spaces and a thriving local economy, BWG is a model of sustainable development. “We want to be a big player in Ontario’s success,” Mayor Leduc affirms. With its strategic investments and communityfirst approach, Bradford West Gwillimbury is poised to welcome new residents, businesses, and opportunities while preserving the values that make it a special place to live and work. PREFERRED VENDOR/PARTNER n Choice Properties www.choicereit.ca Choice Properties is a leading Real Estate Investment Trust that creates enduring value through places where people thrive. We are more than a national owner, operator and developer of high quality commercial and residential real estate. We believe in creating spaces that enhance how our tenants and communities come together to live, work, and connect. n Rosehaven Homes www.rosehavenhomes.com Since 1992, Rosehaven Homes has built quality constructed homes in Ontario. President, Marco Guglietti, set an early vision to build architecturally better homes with an attention to better-than-industry-standard interior offerings. Our goal is to deliver the highest level of customer service with our ultimate goal of all our homeowners to know that in a Rosehaven Home,“I am Home.” traffic congestion. “It’s going to be the 1st all-digitized on-demand electric bus service… I think it’s cutting-edge, and it’s going to change the way people move around this community,” Mayor Leduc says. Among the many initiatives shaping Bradford’s future, the Civic Centre and Argo’s on-demand transit system stand out as transformative projects. Together, these developments will enhance the town’s infrastructure, promote cultural and recreational opportunities, and improve residents’ quality of life. 10 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 01
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