The Ontario government has broken ground on a new massive Metrolinx GO station that will anchor a major mixed-use development at Toronto’s Woodbine racetrack.

Woodbine Entertainment will contribute $170 million to the project in the city’s Etobicoke area, the province announced.

“Bringing mass transit to Woodbine is a transformative step for our racetrack and the broader North Etobicoke community,” said Woodbine CEO Michael. “This new transit connection unlocks the potential of our property to become a vibrant, inclusive, and transit-connected urban centre — with Woodbine Racetrack at its heart.”

The company said it plans to use the station as the foundation of a transit-connected urban centre that will deliver “tens of thousands of new homes, jobs and economic opportunities” as the 25-year project is completed.

“This isn’t just about building housing,” said Copeland. “It’s about creating a complete community, a connected urban centre, with culture, entertainment, green space and horseracing at the heart of it all.”

The project site spans 684 acres of land, which is the largest undeveloped parcel remaining in Toronto’s city limits. Woodbine, a not-for-profit corporation will continue to develop and retain ownership of the land while exploring joint-ventures. The project is expected to generate 43,000 construction jobs, according to Woodbine.

Plans call for the development to include affordable housing and new accommodations for backstretch workers who tend the racetrack’s 1,700 horses stabled at the track.

The future Woodbine GO station will be located on the Kitchener line. The new station will replace the nearby Etobicoke North GO station, which the province says lacks future growth capacity.

The Woodbine station will offer increased capacity and feature new rail platforms. The station will also create new links to the Union Pearson Express, Kitchener GO train and Pearson International Airport, as well as local bus services including the TTC, MiWay, York Regional Transit and Brampton Transit.

“The new Woodbine GO Station is going to be a gamechanger for Etobicoke and for commuters coming in from across the Greater Golden Horseshoe,” said Premier Doug Ford. “The investments we are making in Woodbine GO and in two-way, all-day GO service across the province will keep workers on the job in the face of tariffs and economic uncertainty and will help commuters get around faster and more conveniently in one of Ontario’s fastest growing regions.”

The City of Toronto is contributing to the station project through its New Deal with the province, said Mayor Olivia Chow. The New Deal comprises several agreements between the city and Ontario government whereby the Ontario whereby the province is providing $1.2 billion for prioritized transit and housing projects in Toronto.

“We are getting Toronto moving with more public transit to help people get to their destination faster,” said Chow.

Pictured: Future Woodbine GO station.

Rendering: Metrolinx