The City of North Vancouver and Flicka Gymnastics have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that enables the gymnastics club to continue their legacy of raising future Olympians on the North Shore.
The MOU sets out the terms for the City to provide Flicka Gymnastics with use of the Mickey McDougall Community Recreation Centre to continue training and supporting their athletes within the community.
“Gymnastics is a fundamental building block of a child’s development,” said Mayor Linda Buchanan. “Flicka has long been an athletic pillar, particularly for girls, in our community. That’s why I’m glad gymnasts will soon be able to call the Mickey McDougall Community Recreation Centre home. Entering this agreement is another step forward in delivering a new Harry Jerome Community Recreation Centre and a healthy city that works for all people.”
Prior to the MOU, the City and Flicka Gymnastics undertook a joint feasibility study in order to explore options for Flicka’s use of the recreation centre as a gymnastics facility. The study determined renovation of Mickey McDougall was the most favourable option, as opposed to building a new facility, which would cost an estimated $24.4 million.
The terms of the deal, which will see Flicka move into Mickey McDougall Community Recreation Centre in early 2022, consists of a 10-year lease renewable for up to 10 more years. Under the MOU, the City will invest in making improvements to the building which includes sustainability and accessibility upgrades. The City has targeted to have the facility ready for lease in January, to minimize program interruptions.
“Flicka Gymnastics Society is pleased to enter into an agreement with the City of North Vancouver for the use of Mickey McDougall,” said Sue Whittred, Co-President of Flicka Gymnastics. “For 60 years, Flicka has provided gymnastics excellence through a diversity of programs for all ages and abilities. We are thankful for the support of the Mayor and Council as their support allows us to carry on providing gymnastics programming for our community.”
Flicka currently operates at the Harry Jerome Community Recreation Centre, which is scheduled to close at the end of the year to make way for the construction of a new centre in March 2022 with completion in 2025. The state-of-the-art facility will deliver new and improved recreational and cultural spaces, including an arena with up to 500-spectator capacity, more aquatic space, indoor and outdoor fitness amenities, a new skate park and a variety of multi-activity spaces.
The City has worked with the North Vancouver Recreation and Culture Commission to develop an Interim Services Plan which provides residents with a variety of service options during the construction of the new HJCRC. The service plan aims to maximize capacity of all NVRC community centres and use a number of alternate venues for recreation and culture programs and services.
For more information, including HJCRC project updates, visit cnv.org/hjcrc.