Flicka Gymnastics & Mickey McDougall Community Recreation Centre Upgrades

Flicka Gymnastics Club is a non-profit organization that has operated on the North Shore since 1962. Flicka has leased space in the existing Harry Jerome Community Recreation Centre since 2000.

Flicka’s programs focus on both community gymnastics and competitive training programs, with the goal "to enable every gymnast to attain a realistic and achievable level of personal success in order to promote self confidence and a lasting enjoyment of the sport of gymnastics."

The Mickey McDougall building is a City-owned facility that was constructed in 1967 for use as a school. Since 1982, the North Vancouver Recreation and Culture Commission (NVRC) has operated the building as a Community Recreation Centre. 

In 2018, City staff and Flicka undertook a joint feasibility study to explore Flicka’s relocation into Mickey McDougall as part of the transition to the new Harry Jerome Community Recreation Centre. In July 2021, Council authorized the City to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Flicka, setting out the terms for the City to provide Flicka with the use of Mickey McDougall to continue their gymnastics training – watch the Council video. 

The revitalized Mickey McDougall Community Recreation Centre will feature an updated space for gymnastics training, improved accessibility and mechanical systems, and improved energy efficiency. The interior renovations are now nearly complete with exterior painting and landscaping scheduled for May and June. Flicka Gymnastics Club are looking forward to moving out of the existing HJCRC and starting operations in their new facility in early July 2026.

The Green and Inclusive Community Buildings Grant

In August 2022, as part of the Federal “Green and Inclusive Community Buildings” (GICB) program $2.2 million in funding to retrofit Mickey McDougall to support Flicka’s future use of the facility for gymnastics was announced. The GICB is a program focused on accessibility and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Learn more about Canada's Green Buildings Strategy.

The City is embarking on a bold direction for community recreation with the development of the new Harry Jerome Community Recreation Centre (HJCRC), providing an exciting opportunity to create a vibrant community hub in the City.

The project will include a brand new Harry Jerome, a new Silver Harbour Seniors’ Activity Centre, as well as upgrades to the Mickey McDougall Community Recreation Centre providing a new home for Flicka Gymnastics. Together with the new HJCRC and the new adjacent North Vancouver Lawn Bowling Club, the redevelopment of the Mickey McDougall site will help create a refreshed recreation and community hub for all of North Vancouver.

Who is Flicka Gymnastics?

Flicka Gymnastics Club is a longstanding sport community that has fostered young athletes to the Olympic level from the North Shore to the global stage. Flicka Gymnastics is dedicated to nurturing athletes of all abilities and ages. Offerings include recreational to competitive programs, along with kindergym for young children and thoughtfully-designed classes for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The ASD-focused classes are taught by staff trained by the Canucks Autism Network (CAN).

Why was Flicka’s operations moved to the Mickey McDougall facility?

Flicka Gymnastics’ operations began in the former Harry Jerome Community Recreation Centre in 1999. As part of the greater redevelopment of the area, the former centre will cease operations and Flicka was given the opportunity to transition its operations to the newly upgraded Mickey McDougall facility.

The renovations of the Mickey McDougall facility targeted improving the building’s energy efficiencies and enhancing the build for gymnastic activities.

What accessibility upgrades have been completed?

The Mickey McDougall building has been modernized with a new public entrance, exterior envelope upgrades, and new mechanical systems with enhanced energy efficiency measures. 

Renovations also include accessibility improvements, such as automatic door openers at all entrances, universally accessible washrooms and showers, and accessibility improvements in existing washroom facilities. 

Viewing windows looking onto the gymnasium floor are designed at a lower height to accommodate people who use wheelchairs.