Team prize (3 available)
$750
$250 per team member
Awarded to each winning team. One winner per category.
Mayor's Mississauga Building Challenge | 2026
Your city.
Your vision.
Your time to build.
Design and build a scale model of a Mississauga building. Present it to real industry judges. Win prizes for your team and your school.
May 1, 2026 | Living Arts Centre, Mississauga
Applications close April 15.
Teams of 3Going solo?
The Challenge
It started with one student’s scale model of the Absolute Towers — a build so impressive it caught the Mayor’s attention. Now, 100 students get the chance to run it back.
Teams of 3 will design and build a scale model of a Mississauga building using identical materials kits, then present their vision to a panel of industry professionals. Three categories. Three winning teams.
Prizes
3 winning teams.
$750 for each team.
$1,000 in Milwaukee tools for each winning team’s school.
School prize (3 available)
$1,000
in Milwaukee tools
Awarded to the school of each winning team.
Best Realistic
Closest to the real thing. Precision, accuracy, craftsmanship.
Best Artistic
Most creative interpretation. Bold design choices that stand out.
Best Narrative
Strongest story. What does this building mean for Mississauga’s future?
What You'll Get
Cash prizes + shop tools
$750 for each winning team. $1,000 in Milwaukee tools for each winning school.
All materials provided
Every team gets an identical kit. Show up and build.
Lunch is on us
Catered lunch for every participant. Dietary needs covered.
Branded swag
Event t-shirt and water bottle for every participant. Yours to keep.
Industry mentors
Real professionals circulating during the build — not just judging.
Mayor’s keynote
The Mayor of Mississauga kicks off the day with a personal address.
This event counts toward SHSM requirements for eligible Peel DSB and MonAvenir students. Certification coordinated through LearnIt.
Event Details
Everything you need to know about Build Day.
Build Day Schedule
May 1, 2026 · Living Arts Centre
9:00 – 9:30 AM
Welcome and keynote address from the Mayor
9:30 AM – 3:00 PM
Build time(includes breaks and catered lunch)
3:00 – 4:30 PM
Presentations and judging (science-fair format)
4:30 – 5:00 PM
Awards ceremony, photos, and closing remarks
Pro tip: wear comfortable shoes. You're going to be working hard.Mississauga wasn't built in a day — but your model will be.
Who Can Apply
Open to students from three Mississauga-area school boards.
Peel District School BoardGr. 11–12
Construction SHSM students
CSC MonAvenirGr. 11–12
Construction SHSM students
Dufferin-Peel Catholic DSBGr. 10–12
Students in TAS courses, construction technology,
engineering design, or related STEM/skilled trades programs
💬Not sure if this is for you? If you're interested in building, designing, or construction — apply. We want students who are excited to be there.
How It Works
1
Stage 1: Apply
Put together a team of 3 — or apply on your own and we’ll match you.
- A Mississauga building you want to recreate
- A short explanation of why it matters to you
- A supporting teacher’s name and email
2
Stage 2: Build Day
9 AM to 5 PM. May 1 at the Living Arts Centre. Right next to Square One.
- Your team gets a materials kit. You build. You present.
- Judges rotate to each team science-fair style.
- Winners announced at the closing ceremony.
Meet the Judges
Our panel of industry judges.
Carolyn Parrish
Mayor of Mississauga
Andrew Whittemore
Commissioner Planning & Building
Geoff Wright
City Manager & CAO
Felo Kalada
Mississauga Student & Competition Inspiration
Paula Tenuta
Chief Advocacy Officer at BILD
Veronica Maggisano
Vice President of Development at Oxford Properties Group
Your Application
Tell us why you’re excited to participate.
1Introduce yourself (or your team)
2Tell us which building you chose
3Explain why it matters — to you and to Mississauga
4Apply Now →
Materials Kit
Each team receives an identical kit of building materials — everything you need to construct your model. Full details will be posted here soon.
1
Example Item 1Details TBD
—2
Example Item 2Details TBD
—3
Example Item 3Details TBD
—4
Example Item 4Details TBD
—5
Example Item 5Details TBD
—Everything is provided. Just show up.
Questions?
What do I need to bring?
Nothing. Materials kits, lunch, and swag are all provided. Just bring yourself (and your team).
What if I don’t have a team?
No problem. Apply on your own and we’ll match you with other solo applicants — by grade where possible.
Do I have to be in SHSM?
Depends on your school board. Peel DSB and MonAvenir students need to be in Construction SHSM. Dufferin-Peel students can apply if they're in TAS, construction technology, engineering design, or related programs. Check the eligibility table above.
How do I get there?
Your school handles transportation. Talk to your teacher or coordinator about how your group is getting to the Living Arts Centre.
What’s in the materials kit?
Every team gets the same kit: Example Item 1, Example Item 2, Example Item 3, Example Item 4, Example Item 5.
Is this a whole day?
Yes — 9 AM to 5 PM at the Living Arts Centre. Lunch is catered. The day includes build time, presentations, judging, and an awards ceremony.
What if another team picks the same building?
That’s totally fine. What makes yours unique is your vision, your design choices, and your story. Two teams could pick the same building and produce completely different models.
Ready to Build?
Applications take about 10 minutes. You’ll need your team (or apply solo) and a building you want to recreate.
Teams of 3Going solo?
Don’t have a team? No problem — we’ll match you with other students.
Applications close April 15. Selected teams notified by April 17.
