The City of Brampton has given the green light to a groundbreaking new project—literally. The Brampton and Regional Islamic Centre (BARIC), set to be built at 9445 Clarkway Drive, will be the first place of worship in the city to include underground parking.
“It’s a first of a kind,” said Regional Councillor Gurpartap Singh Toor, who represents Wards 9 and 10. “This underground garage is an incredible stride forward by the applicant, and it directly responds to community concerns around parking overflow.”
Approved by the city’s planning and development committee, the mosque will feature 141 parking spaces, including 50 underground. That’s a significant increase from the original plan, which proposed only 94 spaces. The site, near Bellchase Trail in the east end of the city, is currently vacant land and a woodlot zoned for agricultural use.
The application process, which began in late 2022, drew record engagement from the public. At the statutory public meeting in December of that year, more than 650 residents registered to speak, raising concerns about traffic, environmental impact, parking, and neighbourhood compatibility.
In response, developers revised the plans. BARIC committed to preserving half of the 2.61-acre property as protected woodland and agreed to offset any tree loss by planting an equal number off-site. The mosque design will also use building materials chosen to blend in with the character of the surrounding neighbourhood, such as brick veneer and pre-cast concrete panels.
“This proposal has undergone a tremendous amount of scrutiny and transformation,” said Toor. “It’s a true example of community feedback shaping a project.”
BARIC currently operates out of a commercial plaza and has long struggled to meet the needs of the growing local Muslim population. The new two-storey, 3,369-square-metre mosque will include not only prayer spaces but also a gym, fitness room, multi-purpose areas, and communal eating rooms.
“This approval is not just a regulatory milestone — it is a joyful and historic moment for our community,” said BARIC spokesperson Rahmatullah Habib. “It reflects the determination, unity and tireless efforts of countless individuals who remained committed throughout the process.”
Habib added that BARIC worked closely with city officials over the past two and a half years to address every concern raised during the approval process.
City planning staff concluded the proposal “represents good planning” and is appropriate for the orderly development of the land.
Toor says he’s hopeful that construction will begin by this fall. “This project will be a beautiful addition to our city,” he said. “And I’m really proud that Ward 10 will be home to it.”