This brings the new community recreation centre closer to completion, with construction on track to begin in mid 2022, and delivery of the new Harry Jerome Community Recreation Centre in 2025. Design of the new HJCRC is nearing completion and will be presented to Council this April.
“This is a great day for people in our City,” says Mayor Linda Buchanan. “Today’s announcement puts us on track to deliver this long-awaited new facility which prioritizes the wellbeing of people. Through location, amenities and programming the new center will promote a healthy community within a walkable neighbourhood as Council has envisioned. I’m proud to be delivering this new facility in a way that mitigates the financial risk so that we can move forward confidently and in a timely manner.”
With Phase 1 of the HJNL underway at Lonsdale and East 21st St., City staff are now negotiating with Darwin Properties lease terms for the remaining HJNL sites. The intent is to enter into leases for remaining city-owned sites by the end of this year, with revenues from the leases financing the construction of the new HJCRC. The HJNL will be a mixed-use development of residential and commercial space, a significant new park and a prominent connection for the Green Necklace.
Leasing the land first allows the City to finance the new HJCRC up-front, reducing potential financial risk associated with such a large project.
The existing HJCRC and Memorial Recreation Centre will close at the end of 2021 so that the redevelopment work can begin. North Vancouver Recreation and Culture Commission staff will relocate priority programming to other facilities, similar to the process used during the construction of Delbrook Community Recreation Centre.
The new HJCRC will include many amenities such as: an arena, enhanced aquatics centre with a 26.5 metre 10 lane pool and large leisure pool, multipurpose spaces, fitness space, preschool space, a gymnasium, youth and arts spaces, and an outdoor area that includes a new skate park, active and play areas and an outdoor multisport court.
A new facility for Silver Harbour Seniors Activity Centre is also planned for the site.
Quick Facts
- HJCRC was built in 1966. Its structure has reached its end of life after serving the community well for decades.
- The site of the City’s new HJCRC is located on City-owned land north side of 23rd Street, at Norseman field and the Centennial Theatre parking lot.
- As per City Council direction, discussions continue with Flicka Gymnastics on the feasibility of repurposing Mickey McDougall Community Recreation Centre as a gymnastics facility.
More information about the Harry Jerome Community Recreation Centre project is online at www.cnv.org/harryjerome.