MURC Frequently Asked Questions

The MURC official opening was on Saturday, March 2, 2024. Drop in to experience the pool or gymnasium, or drop by for a trip around the walking track. 

Monday – Friday

6 a.m. – 9 p.m.

Saturday and Sunday

8 a.m. – 6 p.m.

You can reach the MURC at 905-989-3000 or by email at eleisure@georgina.ca.

Service Georgina is available to answer your questions by phone at 905-476-4301 ext. 3001 or by email at info@georgina.ca.

Spring session for all programs and lessons will open at 8:30 a.m. on March 5, 2024 for residents and March 12 for non residents. As of Feb 20, you can view the available programs and lessons online and add to your account wish list in preparation of registration opening. 

The MURC is located at 261 Garrett Styles Dr., Keswick on the west side of Woodbine Avenue between Glenwoods Avenue and Ravenshoe Road. Note that the MURC is accessible from Garrett Styles off of Woodbine Avenue between Ravenshoe Road and Glenwoods Avenue. This section of Garrett Styles is not accessible from the Queensway. 

The MURC is an acronym for Multi-Use Recreation Complex.

The MURC is served by a new limited-service route (51 – Keswick) connecting neighbourhoods in Keswick with the MURC as well as by YRT On-Request Keswick. Visit YRT.ca for more information on how to pay and how to plan your trip.

That’s great! If you do we think others will also. Please send your questions to the Community Services department so we can provide you with the answer.

• Six-lane 25-metre pool
• Two-depth leisure pool
• Therapy pool
• Double gymnasium
• Indoor walking track
• Multi-use meeting and activity rooms
• Active living space
• Discovery Library branch

 

While there is not a full fitness centre at the MURC, the community can enjoy an activity studio on the second floor which will provide fitness programs including cardio and yoga. Stationed in corners of the walking track are fitness machines that are available for use. This includes

• 2 cycling bikes
• 1 stairmaster
• 1 rower
• 1 chin dip

There are also some hand weights that will be available for use. 

The MURC has gender-specific and accessible/family washrooms in the main lobby area. The pool has two inclusive, family-friendly change rooms for all to use, with private changing stalls and private washrooms. 

Each changeroom has been designed with eight private stalls for families and individuals to use as well as two accessible private stalls for a total of 20 private stalls to change in.

Washrooms/toilet facilities have also been designed with privacy in mind as there are a total of six individual private washrooms and two family/accessible private washroom within the aquatic centre. Within the two family/accessible private washroom they both include a private shower and an adult change table for patrons to use. In addition, there is a third adult change table on the pool deck family/accessible washroom. 

There are also four baby change tables available in the change room area.

The new library offers the following services:

• Children and young adult collection and programming
• Popular adult fiction and DVD collection
• Quiet and group study space for students of seven schools within walking distance to the new location as well as distance-learning students
• Comfortable seating for parents waiting for their children at swimming lessons and other sports
• Programming and performance space for library and community events
• Meeting rooms for community groups
• Digital skills training lab to learn new computer and research skills
• Digital media lab including a green screen for video production and editing together with digital recording capabilities
• Maker Space with 3D printer and other hands-on technologies

The MURC includes six pickleball courts and badminton courts for the public to use during assigned times. 

The walking track is free to use 

Monday to Friday - 6 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Saturday to Sunday - 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.

Outside these hours, the walking track is open for a drop-in fee or is utilized by registered programs and outside reservations. 

The inside track is the walk/slow track.

• 12.4 laps/mile
• 7.7 laps/km
• 1 lap is 130 m

The middle track is the passing track. 

• 11.5 laps/mile
• 7.1 laps/km
• 1 lap is 140 m

The outside track is the run/fast track 

• 10.9 laps/mile
• 6.8 laps/km
• 1 lap is 147 m 

Please note the track will be counter clockwise on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. 
The track will be clockwise on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

The 2014 Recreation Facility Needs Study determined that the Town has an adequate supply of ice pads in the community for our planned population. When the Town does reach a size that requires an additional ice pad, the study recommended the Sutton arena be twinned (add another pad). Twin ice pads operate more efficiently than single pads.

The universal change room offers:

• 16 private change stalls including four accessible change rooms for families and individuals
• Many lockers of various dimensions that allow you to use a traditional padlock
• Six private washrooms including two fully accessible washrooms, one equipped with a private shower
• Bathing suit dryer
• Four baby change tables, and three adult change table (two in the change room area and one on deck in the accessible/family washroom)

The change rooms are equipped with private changing stalls and private washrooms. They can be used by all persons, regardless of who they are or how they may identify. These spaces are inclusive of guests with disabilities, members of all gender identities and any who wish for privacy for any number of reasons.

The Aquatic Centre change room at the MURC features individual private changing areas and fully enclosed washrooms and no nudity in the main areas.

A universal change room makes it easier for families and individuals to enjoy the facilities. Universal change rooms promote inclusivity by eliminating traditional gender-specific facilities, creating a more welcoming environment for all members of the community.

The change rooms are shared spaces for all users of a facility. It consists of a open spaces, including lockers,  and sinks. Private change installs and private washrooms are provided, and clothing or swimsuits are required in all areas outside of these stalls. 

These private stalls have been designed with a higher standard of privacy than found in most gender-designated washrooms and change rooms to help achieve comfort, while creating openness in adjacent areas to promote safety and visibility. This includes high partitions, low door clearance and no gaps between the individual panels.

There are specific gendered washrooms as well as a family washroom in the facility. The Family friendly change room features individual private installs for changing, fully enclosed washrooms and a no nudity policy in the shared areas.

Customers may choose to use the below washrooms for their changing needs if required:

Main lobby

• Men’s washroom (Accessible)
• Women’s washroom (Accessible)
• Family washroom (Accessible)

The facility has a regular cleaning schedule and staff are trained to maintain cleanliness in the change rooms. Users are also encouraged to follow proper hygiene practices.

Patrons must remain fully clothed or in swimwear or athletic attire when in open spaces of the  change rooms. Be respectful of those around you while using public and shared spaces.

Undergarments (such as but not limited to boxers, briefs, bras or underwear) and nudity is not permitted in shared spaces. Patrons must use private change cubicles to disrobe/undress and change their clothing. 

• Patrons are required to remain clothed unless in a private change stalls, private shower or private washroom. 
• Be courteous to others who may be waiting to use the change stalls, private showers or private washroom after you. 
• Shower while wearing appropriate bathing attire before entering and exiting the pool.
• Use of cell phones, cameras and any other electronic devices is strictly prohibited. 
• Ensure your personal belongings are always secure. The Town of Georgina is not responsible for lost, stolen or damaged items. 
• Lockers are for day use only. Any locks or items left behind will be removed each evening. 
• For safety reasons, glass containers are not permitted.

Universal change rooms promote inclusivity by providing a space where everyone, regardless of gender identity or expression, can feel comfortable and welcome while accessing recreational facilities.

Yes. The Town is one of Georgina’s largest employers. The MURC requires full-time, part-time, seasonal and contract staff who are committed to serving our residents. Check our Careers page for listings of positions and check the Events Calendar for job fairs.

The MURC requires full-time, part-time, seasonal and contract staff committed to serving our residents. If you are interested in working at the MURC, watch our Careers page for available jobs. 

Any job fairs for the MURC will be posted on our Events Calendar.

York Region and the Town of Georgina continue their strong partnership to expand the active transportation network along Woodbine Avenue.  After months of discussion, this collaboration will bring a new multi-use path to the west side of Woodbine Avenue, from Glenwoods Avenue to Garrett Styles Drive, completing a necessary active transportation connection to the Town’s new Multi-Use Recreation Complex. The detailed design is now underway with construction planned in 2024. 

Council approved a budget of $50.2 million for the Multi-Use Recreation Complex on June 23, 2021.

To build the MURC (capital cost), the primary source of funding for the project is provided by development charges (DC). As per the Ontario Development Charges Act, both principle and interest paid on any DC-funded projects are also eligible for DC funding. As such, the MURC capital costs, including the debenture costs, will mostly be paid using DC funding. As a result of Bill 23, there will be a need to fund a portion of the capital cost from other sources.

The 2019 budget accounted for five per cent annual cost escalation in the high end and anticipated construction completion in 2021. The 2021 budget was adjusted to reflect impact of the COVID-19 pandemic that pushed the construction schedule to 2023 and 10 per cent annual cost escalation on the high end.

There will be no tax levy increases relating to the MURC operating costs. The anticipated annual net operating costs for the MURC will be approximately $2 million. The entire amount will be funded through assessment growth, which is the new property taxes that will be collected from new development. As a result, there will be no tax levy increases relating to the MURC operating costs.

Construction of the MURC began in November 2021. It was completed in Q4 of 2023 with an official opening on March 2, 2024.

Growth projections for Georgina show that by 2031, the Town’s population will grow, with much of that growth occurring in Keswick. It is this growth that is supporting the need for additional facilities. Locating facilities as close as possible to the majority of users will optimize use and is more environmentally friendly by limiting travel distances.

In 2014, the Town conducted a Recreation Facility Needs Study. Extensive research was done which evaluated data including our socio-demographic profile, trends and best practices, facility inventory, and a utilization analysis. Public consultation was also a key component of this study with surveys, public information centres and discussions with key stakeholders including sports groups, hall boards, seniors, Council and staff. The public survey showed that 88 per cent of the respondents agreed that “The Town should consider developing a Recreation Centre in the Keswick area with components such as an indoor pool, arena, gymnasium, walking track and or community rooms.” Throughout 2018 and 2019, the Town worked to develop the concept plan. Public consultation and stakeholder engagement was an important part of this phase.

History has taught us that single purpose or stand-alone facilities cost more to build and operate. That’s why municipalities across Ontario are now building MURCs. They are the most responsive and cost-effective way of meeting community recreational needs.

The Towns of Georgina and East Gwillimbury have been consulting with each other on their respective plans for their new recreation facilities to ensure decisions are not made in isolation. The Town of East Gwillimbury is planning for a Health and Active Living Plaza (HALP), which will be built once its population reaches 40,000 residents.

In 2018, Council directed staff to review, in collaboration with public input, the proposed 10,000-square-foot library within the MURC at an estimated cost of $4 to $4.5 million based on a square footage cost of $400 to $450. 

In 2016, the Georgina Public Library Board commissioned a library services and facilities study to guide the development of the library over the next 10 years. Based on professional standards, the consultants identified a lack of 15,000 square feet of library space to meet the present and growing needs of our community. The Library Board Strategic Plan identified the requirement for a branch in the rapidly growing area of south Keswick. The library board settled on a 10,000-square-foot branch with additional space shared with the Town’s Community Services Department. The MURC project provides an opportunity to address this shortcoming in service levels.

Most new public libraries are being built as part of a community hub rather than stand-alone buildings. These designs have proved to be more cost effective to build and operate, more convenient for residents, and allow for shared space for a variety of activities. It is not feasible or cost effective to expand the existing Keswick branch and the new library offers new library services that complements the services offered in the north Keswick branch. The focus will be on digital literacy and community programming space. The library also meets the need for more children’s programming space and services, which are in increasing demand.