Ajax Fairgrounds

Ajax is investing in the changing recreational needs of the community through modernizing and redeveloping our facilities and public spaces. Despite having a diverse and quickly growing population, the Town has no dedicated space for friends, families and groups to hold the kind of large-scale community festivals and events expected of a modern Town.

Located in north-east Ajax, the Audley Recreation Centre (ARC) is a state-of-the-art community centre with indoor and outdoor amenities, attracting residents from all over Durham. While the facility is well equipped, the Town will expand this state-of-the-art centre with a dedicated Fairground directly to the south of the building on an under-utilized vacant field.

About the Fairgrounds

The Ajax Fairgrounds and surrounding green space is the first of its kind in Durham Region, putting Ajax on the map as a premiere event destination. Accommodating up to 25,000 guests, the area will be home to community favourite Town signature events like Canada Day and Winterfest and will be available to groups/organizations looking to bring exclusive events to Ajax.

The 17.6 acre greenspace features a 7.3 acre event lawn enclosed by pedestrian trails, rolling hills (earth berms) and attractive landscaping, two stages, with the main central pathway intended to allow for additional uses such as food trucks and event pavilions, making it the perfect place for a variety of small, medium and large scale festivals and events.

The 1.33 km winding trail network throughout the area has been designed with year-round pedestrian use in mind. Lined with tree canopies and lighting, dog-walkers, neighbours, families, walking groups and individuals can enjoy the paved trails morning, afternoon and well into the evening.

Active transportation options such as walking, cycling and rolling are encouraged when visiting the fairgrounds, with dedicated active transportation parking that is able to hold hundreds of bicycles.

We look forward to welcoming you to the grand opening summer 2025!

Have a question?

We’ve prepared some FAQs below to help answer some of the most common questions around this project. Should you have further questions, you can consult the more detailed September 9, 2024 General Government Committee report located on the right hand side of this page.

Frequently Asked Questions

What will the Fairgrounds include?

• The site program for the new Ajax Fairgrounds is envisioned to include:
  • Primary and Secondary Stages
  • Earth Berms and Vegetation
  • Pedestrian and Vehicular Pathway Systems
  • Fencing
  • Pedestrian Walkway Lighting
  • Drainage and Irrigation
  • Electrical Servicing
  • Maintenance Compound

How is this being paid for?

• The Housing Accelerator Fund will be used to fully fund this project in an effort to support the Town’s growth related recreational and cultural needs.
• Additionally the Town intends for the Fairgrounds to be our first naming rights opportunity, bringing in non-tax revenue to the Town for years to come.

How will noise in the area be mitigated?

• Noise from large events on the adjacent residential areas have been considered and will be reduced through the use of berms and extensive vegetative plantings (coniferous and deciduous trees). These berms will not only direct sound away from residential properties, but also create a rolling landscape enclosing the flat event space and provide seating opportunities for event participants.

How will parking and traffic be affected?

• The pathway layout has been purposely designed for ease of access to the event space and to direct eventgoers from the shuttle drop-off area at the north façade of Audley Recreation Centre and facilitate pedestrian movement between the event space and parking lot with access being provided at both the east and west of the site. The site will be easily accessible for emergency medical services, operations equipment, and vendor vehicles, made possible by implementing a heavy-duty base that extends three meters beyond the event space asphalt pathway. Additionally, the area will be partially enclosed through the use of strategically placed fencing along the site’s westerly boundary running parallel with Audley Road. The fencing has been included in the site design primarily as a means to control pedestrian and vehicular access for large events. This fence will also act to minimize unsafe migrations from the event space towards Audley Road.

What about outdoor skating in the winter?

• During the colder winter season, the potential will remain to allow for ice skating activities on the rink that will be located on the granular plaza immediately adjacent to ARC.

Will the other outdoor amenities at ARC remain?

• Yes! The playground, basketball courts, splashpads etc. will all remain and are adjacent to the site.

Will there be security?

• There will be an ongoing security presence to monitor the site.

Have feedback? Let us know in the comment section below!