Discover the Town Centre
White City began in 1959 as a small community built on the idea of quality of life, space, and connection. While the community has grown steadily over time, those foundational values continue to guide planning and decision-making today.
As White City grows, the Town is planning carefully to ensure that future development supports a complete community—one that balances housing, services, recreation, and employment while respecting the character residents value.
The Town Centre is a key part of that long-term plan.
What Is the Town Centre?
The Town Centre is a planned, mixed-use area intended to serve as a central gathering place for the community. It is envisioned as a location where residents can live, work, access services, and gather for recreation, culture, and community activities.
Unlike communities that historically developed around a downtown core, White City is intentionally creating a Town Centre through long-range planning to meet current and future needs.
The Town Centre is designed to:
provide a mix of housing types to support different stages of life
accommodate local services, shops, and professional offices
support recreation, cultural activities, and community events
create walkable connections through parks, trails, and public spaces
strengthen community identity and civic pride
A Long-Standing Community Vision
Planning for a Town Centre has been part of White City’s policy framework for more than two decades.
2002: The future land use concept first identified a central core area for community development.
2014/2015: Council adopted the Town Centre Neighbourhood Plan, which forms part of the Official Community Plan and provides detailed guidance for land use, density, transportation, parks, and design in the Town Centre area.
The Town Centre Neighbourhood Plan remains the primary policy document guiding development and investment in this area. It establishes a long-term vision rather than approving individual projects in isolation.
Hover over the timeline and click the arrows to navigate left and right. Click here to open the timeline in a new window.
What is the Town Centre?
The Town Centre is a planned, mixed-use area intended to serve as a central gathering place for White City. It is designed to support housing, services, recreation, employment, and community activity in one connected area.
Why is White City planning a Town Centre?
White City did not historically develop around a traditional downtown. The Town Centre is a long-term planning initiative intended to:
provide access to services closer to home
support a growing and changing population
create public spaces for community connection
strengthen the overall livability of the community
Has the Town Centre always been part of White City’s plans?
Planning for a Town Centre has been part of White City’s land-use vision since the early 2000s and was formalized through adoption of the Town Centre Neighbourhood Plan in 2014/15.
Is the Town Centre one specific development?
No. The Town Centre is a planned area, not a single project. Development occurs gradually over time and in phases, through multiple applications that must align with adopted municipal policy and provincial requirements.
How is development in the Town Centre planned and regulated?
Development in the Town Centre is guided by several planning and regulatory tools, including:
the Official Community Plan
the Town Centre Neighbourhood Plan
the Zoning Bylaw
subdivision approval by the Province
detailed engineering, servicing, and transportation reviews
These tools work together to ensure that development:
is appropriately serviced with water, wastewater, and roads
aligns with planned land uses and densities
contributes to parks, pathways, and public spaces
pays for required infrastructure through development agreements and levies
All development is reviewed through established legislative and regulatory processes to ensure compatibility with surrounding areas and alignment with community objectives.
What types of housing are planned in the Town Centre?
The Town Centre is planned to include a range of housing types, recognizing that residents’ needs change over time. This includes opportunities for:
singles and young households
families
residents looking to downsize
seniors seeking accessible housing options
This approach supports a more complete community while maintaining compatibility with surrounding neighbourhoods.
What other uses are planned in the Town Centre?
In addition to housing, the Town Centre is planned to accommodate:
local retail and professional services
food and beverage establishments
civic and community uses
arts, culture, and recreation
parks, trails, and open spaces
This mix of uses is intended to create a vibrant, active area that complements—not replaces—existing neighbourhoods across White City.
How does the Town ensure infrastructure can support growth?
Significant planning and engineering work supports the Town Centre vision, including:
transportation planning for major corridors such as Betteridge Road
upgrades to water and wastewater infrastructure
integration of parks, pathways, and green space
coordination with provincial agencies on subdivision approvals
Development within the Town Centre proceeds only when servicing capacity and infrastructure requirements are met, consistent with municipal and provincial standards.
Who pays for Town Centre development?
Development pays for development. Developers typically fund on-site infrastructure and contribute to off-site infrastructure through servicing agreements and development levies. This approach helps ensure that growth does not place an undue burden on existing taxpayers.
Will the Town Centre affect traffic?
Traffic impacts are reviewed through engineering and transportation studies as development proceeds. Planned road upgrades, pedestrian infrastructure, and pathway connections are intended to support safe movement for vehicles, cyclists, and pedestrians.
Will there be parks and open space in the Town Centre?
Yes. The Town Centre plan includes a network of parks, trails, pathways, and public open spaces. Parkland dedication and recreational amenities are required as part of development and guided by Town standards and long-range planning.
Are future community or recreation facilities planned in the Town Centre?
The Town Centre has long been identified as a potential location for major community facilities that serve residents across White City and the surrounding region. Any future facilities would be subject to Council direction, funding decisions, and further community engagement.
Is the Town Centre a short-term project?
No. The Town Centre is a long-range planning initiative, not a single project or short-term undertaking. It evolves over time through:
Council decisions
community input
technical studies
changing demographic and market conditions
How can residents stay informed or provide input?
Residents can stay informed through:
Council agendas and reports
the Town website
public notices
open houses and engagement opportunities, where required
The Town remains committed to transparent decision-making, legislative compliance, and ongoing communication as the Town Centre develops.

