RESEARCH / DOWNTOWN & CULTURE
What should happen to the Living Arts Centre?
A downtown vision has become an election dividing line. The final design, funding and construction remain undecided.
Living Arts Centre exterior, 15 May 2026. Photograph of the existing building, not the proposed downtown redevelopment.
City vision under study; competing campaign positions
The actual decision so far
The City is studying a vision for 12 acres of downtown public land around the Living Arts Centre. Possible elements include cultural venues, a hotel, convention space, parks, homes and offices. Its project page explicitly says Council has not approved a final design, a funding approach or construction.
City of Mississauga: Downtown Mississauga vision ↗
Where candidates differ
CityNews reported on October 8 that Carolyn Parrish supports redevelopment and expects private investment to fund much of it. Bonnie Crombie promises to stop it; Dipika Damerla opposes it and promotes a health-innovation direction. Alvin Tedjo raises green-space concerns, wants resident input and is open to renovating the existing centre.
CityNews: Mayoral candidates discuss Living Arts Centre and policy platforms ↗
What residents want to keep—and change
Public Reddit discussions contain enthusiasm for a livelier downtown alongside worries about losing familiar arts facilities, studios and accessible green space. Others ask whether development could work around the existing building. These are views of individual commenters, not evidence that most Mississauga residents support or reject the vision.
r/mississauga: City takes next step in downtown vision ↗ · r/mississauga: Downtown vision discussion ↗
The useful next conversation
The City says the Living Arts Centre remains open and that public input and a business case will inform future recommendations. Residents can ask what arts programming, usable parkland and public access would be guaranteed under each option. They can also ask for transparent comparisons of renovation, replacement and operating costs before a final vote.
City of Mississauga: Downtown Mississauga vision ↗
Advertiser identification
Authorized by Vierimaa Consulting Inc., a registered third-party advertiser in the City of Mississauga. Contact: mississauga@vierimaaconsulting.com.