Over the next three years, we’re building a new community recreation centre that will embrace the City’s vision of A Healthy City for All, and focus on physical and mental health, wellness, inclusion, and diversity.
Development of the new Harry Jerome Community Recreation Centre (HJCRC) is now underway in the heart of Central Lonsdale. Construction begins with site preparation and excavation for the new centre which will be located on the north side of East 23rd Street between Lonsdale Avenue and St Georges Avenue.
As the City’s largest ever infrastructure program, replacement of the 56-year-old HJCRC includes an arena with a 500-spectator capacity, more aquatic space, indoor and outdoor fitness amenities, new skate park, preschool and youth spaces and a new facility for Silver Harbour Seniors’ Activity Centre. Underground parking will maximize the site’s buildable space.
The current Harry Jerome, Memorial, and Mickey McDougall Community Recreation Centres, and Centennial Theatre will remain open and operating during construction. The site of the current HJCRC will become home to a new development, a multi-phase project which will provide a variety of housing types, including leasehold condo, below-market/market rental, non-profit housing, and seniors assisted living.
Construction Timeline
The project remains on track and the project scope and timelines remain unchanged. Construction will take place over a three year period, between spring 2022 and 2025.
The proposed schedule includes:
- March 2022 – Site preparation and demolition work begins on the north side of East 23rd Street.
- June 2022 – Foundation work begins.
- Summer 2022 – Financing finalized and authorization to move to construction phase.
- Fall 2022 – Building permit obtained and construction begins.
- 2025 – Completion of the new HJCRC and opening celebration.
Thank you for your patience and understanding as we begin work to transform the site to make way for the new centre.
Design Elements
Amenities in the New Community Recreation Centre
The development of a new state-of-the-art facility will deliver exceptional experiences, programs and services to all community members.
The community recreation centre will be home to a wide range of new and improved recreational, cultural and green space improvements including:
- community atrium and gathering areas
- arena with seating for 500 spectators
- significantly more aquatic space
- indoor and outdoor fitness spaces
- full-size gymnasium
- numerous multipurpose spaces
- preschool and youth spaces
- outdoor active/passive areas
- arts space
- community kitchen
- new skate park
- nature play area
- a multi-activity court
Sustainable Design
The new HJCRC’s sustainable design and building materials are key priorities to minimize the impact on the environment while improving building performance. The new community recreation centre will play a role in advancing the City’s Corporate Climate Action Plan by significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions, with an energy savings of 53% from the National Energy Code for Buildings 2017 baseline. Currently, the HJCRC accounts for 29% of the City’s building greenhouse gas emissions.
Other sustainable efforts at the new recreation centre will include:
- maximizing heat recovery through C02 refrigeration;
- a highly insulated building envelope;
- maximizing rain-water re-use on site;
- extensive natural daylight and passive solar strategies;
- innovative low-energy pool filtration system; and,
- electric vehicle and bike charging stations.
Accessible Design
Driven by the City’s vision of A Healthy City for All and guided by the City’s Community Recreation Strategy, the new HJCRC is focused on physical and mental wellness, inclusion, accessibility and diversity.
The new facility will create a barrier-free, accessible space for everyone and is pursuing the gold standard in the
the Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Certification program.
Design of the Recreation Centre
Video of New Community Recreation Centre Exterior & Interior
Construction Impacts
Roadwork
Roadwork around the facility will take place periodically throughout construction. Beginning in December 2021, upgrades to underground utilities including aging sewer, storm, and water mains are taking place along East 23rd Street between Lonsdale and St Georges.
During construction, single lane alternating traffic will be in place for the majority of the project. Temporary road closures may be required. Signage will be posted showing alternate routes and flag personnel will be on site to help keep traffic moving. For project updates, visit cnv.org/roadwork.
Parking
As of March 14, 2022, on site parking will be closed to allow for construction of the new Harry Jerome Community Recreation Centre. A limited number of parking spots are available at North Shore Alliance Church and other areas nearby. See map for details. Please consider walking, cycling or taking transit.
Sports Field
As of March 7, 2022, Norseman Field will be closed to allow for construction of the new Harry Jerome Community Recreation Centre.
A large, new park will be built as part of an adjacent development in the future. In the interim, we encourage you to use other nearby parks and trails in the City.
Trees
As part of the redevelopment of the site, 86 trees will be removed to facilitate construction. The row of street trees along Lonsdale Avenue frontage are being retained.
209 new trees will be planted as part of the project’s landscape plan. This means that for every one tree removed, more than two trees will be planted.
We are looking into ways to reuse some of the larger trees on the site and this evaluation is ongoing.
The project is also contributing $40,000 to the City’s tree planting program which will add 54 street trees to the City’s tree canopy. This is in support of the City’s new tree protection bylaw and urban forest management strategy that is underway to better manage trees in our community and ensure a healthy urban forest for future generations.
Skate Park
The Lonsdale Skate Park is now closed to allow for construction of the new Harry Jerome Community Recreation Centre. A new skate park, budgeted at $1.2 million, will be completed as part of the new HJCRC in 2025.
New skate park features include:
- Gathering zone and starting area
- 8 stair, 5 stair and 2 stair features
- Flat-ground zone
- Wall ride transition feature
- Main lower plaza with multiple bank hips
- Seating area
Mahon Skate Park
Council approved a proposal to work with the skate community on a new skate park at Mahon Park while the new HJCRC skate park is under construction. The location is next to the basketball/pickle ball courts and is deep enough into the park to buffer skate noise for neighbouring residents. The City worked with the skate community and park users to review and refine some of the park amenities and features into a final plan. Learn more on our project page at letstalk.cnv.org/skatepark.
Construction on the Mahon Skate Park begins in June 2022 and is expected to be complete later this summer. Look for information at cnv.org/skatepark.
Financing
The updated financial strategy combines low-interest, short-term financing from B.C.’s Municipal Financing Authority (MFA) to fund the construction of HJCRC, and through disposition of city-owned land when the project is completed in 2025. While delivering this important project, mitigating the financial impact on taxpayers remains a key priority.
The total funding required for the HJCRC capital program is unchanged at $226 million, which includes $181 million for the community recreation centre. To date, $92.2 million (40%) has already been secured through completion of a land lease agreement for Phase 1 of the HJNL.
The program will be primarily funded up front by an existing levy, community amenity contributions (CACs), development cost charges (DCCs), and low cost short term debt from the Municipal Financing Authority.
The projects in this larger program are:
- Construction of a new HJCRC
- Relocation and construction of a new North Vancouver Lawn Bowling Club and lawn bowling facilities;
- Relocation of the Flicka Gymnastics Club;
- Upgrades to the Mickey McDougall Community Recreation Centre;
- Relocation and construction of a new Silver Harbour Centre;
- Relocation of Centennial Theatre electric power; and
- Delivery of a new community park on the HJNL.
In November 2021, the City terminated its Offer to Lease for Phase 2 of the HJNL as a result of the developer not meeting a key contractual term of the agreement – prompting Council’s request for an updated Financial Strategy for the project.
View the full details of the proposed Financial Strategy.
Current Programs & Services
Information on spring programs and drop-in schedules at HJCRC as well as at all other NVRC facilities are posted on nvrc.ca. Registration for swimming, skating, and general programs commences mid-March. Registration for tennis at the North Vancouver Tennis Centre commences early March – Adults on March 1 and Juniors on March 2.
We appreciate the community’s patience as NVRC works towards recruiting additional staff in a challenging labour market (NVRC is currently hiring!). In the interim, please make use of the wide range of programs and services offered at other community recreation centres throughout the North Shore.
Project Partners
The HJCRC redevelopment project is being designed by HCMA Architecture + Design, which has delivered award-winning community recreation centre projects throughout the Lower Mainland and across Canada.
MAKE Project Management has been hired to manage the project, and Smith Bros & Wilson will be undertaking pre-construction services to inform the detailed design process.
Project Info Sheets
Info Sheets give an overview of the project progress and upcoming milestones. Check back regularly.