East Gwillimbury, ON, August 24, 2026 — Brian Johns, candidate for Mayor of East Gwillimbury, today announced a commitment to champion a phased, community-driven revitalization of the Sharon Precinct Lands, the heritage and community hub at the heart of Sharon Village.
"The Civic Centre Site is one of the most special places in East Gwillimbury," said Johns. "It brings together our heritage, our parks, and our community, all within walking distance of homes and shops in Sharon Village. With the right vision, we can make it a vibrant, accessible, year-round destination that residents are proud of."
Johns committed to leading a comprehensive community engagement process to develop a phased Civic Centre Site Revitalization Plan, coordinated with community groups, cultural organizations, and the private sector, with measurable goals for completion, engagement, and year-round programming.
On heritage, Johns committed to restoring and maintaining the site's historic properties and exploring heritage-themed features, alongside space for public art that celebrates local talent. He pointed to a range of possible enhancements to the site's outdoor civic spaces to be shaped through the planning process, which could include improvements to the Cenotaph gathering area, an events pavilion, an amphitheatre for community events, refrigerated outdoor skating, a farm-themed children's playground, and community gardens.
Johns also committed to improving accessibility and connectivity across the precinct, ensuring trails, walkways, and public areas are inclusive and connected to surrounding parks and Sharon Village amenities, and to exploring compatible mixed-use development that could help support heritage preservation.
"This is a long-term investment in community pride, quality of life, and our shared identity," said Johns. "We do it properly, in phases, and we do it with the community at the table every step of the way."
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