The City of North Vancouver officially opened the new Harry Jerome Community Recreation Centre (HJCRC) today. The leading-edge complex represents the largest community recreation facility on the North Shore and a landmark investment in recreation, health and community well-being.
Mayor Linda Buchanan and members of Council welcomed the public into the expansive 189,000 square-foot building for a celebration featuring tours, live performances, and recreation demonstrations highlighting its unique design as a place for social connections. Notably during the opening event, a number of public art pieces were unveiled including a portrait of the late Harry Jerome by Yared Nigussu, and installations by local artists Qʷənat Angela Paul, and Jill Anholt.
“I am incredibly proud that after more than 20 years of planning, engagement and determination, the new Harry Jerome Community Recreation Centre is finally open to the residents of North Vancouver,” said Mayor Linda Buchanan. “The new Harry Jerome Community Recreation Centre is absolutely incredible. It is bright, welcoming, modern, and filled with enriching amenities. More importantly, it has been designed with people of all ages and abilities in mind. Harry Jerome lived by the motto, "Never give up." That spirit is woven into this project — and into the future we are building together as the Healthiest Small City in the World.”
The Harry Jerome Community Recreation Centre was designed by award-winning Vancouver-based architecture firm HCMA Architecture and Design with a unique focus on publicly accessible spaces designed to bring community together.
“The Harry Jerome Community Recreation Centre is a generational project that will amplify community building in the City of North Vancouver. Shaped by the distinct geography of the North Shore, this building will redefine the role of recreation in this city. It will set new standards for accessibility and social inclusion, ensuring that anyone, regardless of background or ability, will find their place here,” said Paul Fast, project architect and Principal, HCMA Architecture.
Scheduled to open this fall, the aquatics centre is only the second facility in Canada to feature an advanced low energy, low chlorine water filtration system. The aquatic centre includes a leisure pool with a lazy river, spray features and toddler play area; a 25-metre, 10-lane lap pool; a three-metre diving platform, three-metre springboard, and two one-metre springboards; an all-ages hot pool; 16+ only hot pool with steam room, and dry sauna; and universal as well as gender-inclusive change rooms and washrooms.
The NHL-sized arena can accommodate hockey, para ice hockey, ringette, public skating, lacrosse, inline hockey, and other dry-floor sports, with seating for up to 500 spectators. Additional amenities in the Centre include eight flexible multi-purpose rooms, expansive indoor and outdoor fitness areas, an Olympic-sized gymnasium, arts studio, youth and early years spaces, a community kitchen, and gathering spaces designed to support activities for residents across every stage of life.
The new HJCRC will be operated and programmed by the North Vancouver Recreation and Culture Commission (NVRC). Beginning Monday July 27, a number of service areas will be open for use. NVRC will offer ‘try-it’ and drop-in activities with most regular programming beginning in September. For details on fall programming and registration, visit the NVRC website.
Background
The new Harry Jerome Community Recreation Centre is named in honour of Harry Jerome – a local hero, world record holder, celebrated Olympic athlete, teacher, and enduring inspiration. His extraordinary accomplishments, resilience and commitment to community continue to inspire generations. The Centre stands as a lasting tribute to his legacy.
The new Harry Jerome Community Recreation Centre has been designed to accommodate the needs of a growing community today and in years to come. It features:
- A 52% increase in space from the existing building, HJCRC is now the largest recreation centre on the North Shore with 189,822 square feet of program space.
- Advanced heat recovery using new technology (CO2 refrigeration systems for the arena).
- Ground breaking low energy, low chlorine water filtration system for the pool (second in Canada).
- Canada Green Building Council Zero Carbon Design certified, allowing for future evolution of building energy systems.
- As part of the broader area’s revitalization, the new HJCRC precinct includes the new Silver Harbour Seniors’ Activity Centre, a more accessible and contemporary space.
For media inquiries please contact media@cnv.org or call 778-871-8594.
Please visit the webpages for more information about the Centre and a media kit featuring backgrounders, factsheets, and downloadable images and b-roll footage at hjcrc.ca and hjcrc.ca/news-and-updates.