With the new state-of-the-art Harry Jerome Community Recreation Centre (HJCRC) on track to begin construction in spring 2022, the North Vancouver Recreation and Culture Commission (NVRC) presented an Interim Recreation and Culture Service Plan to City Council at last night’s meeting.
Following a comprehensive program review, this plan will provide residents with a variety of service options during the closure of the existing centre and 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.
“The new Harry Jerome Community Rec Centre is something we have all wanted for a long time,” said Mayor Linda Buchanan. “As we’ve moved forward people have understandably wondered about the programs they and their families rely on. That’s why the City and the North Vancouver Recreation and Culture Commission have presented an interim service plan that will ensure the recreation needs of people are met as we deliver this new facility.”
Interim programs and services offered by NVRC will be based on evidence of highest demand and highest need, including individuals who may experience barriers to participation. NVRC has identified new temporary homes for many HJCRC programs and services including social recreation, fitness, arts and culture, licensed preschool, youth services and out-of-school programs. Many services will be provided in other NVRC-operated facilities and some in other venues within North Vancouver. NVRC and the City are also supporting user groups in their efforts to find alternate locations. Further information is available in the attached backgrounder.
“The interim service plan addresses the concerns people may have about how the construction of the new facility may impact them. Through increased capacity at other centres and outdoor recreation amenities, the health of City residents will be well-supported as we break ground on this exciting new centre,” added Mayor Buchanan.
Council also received an update on construction of the new HJCRC which is on budget and on schedule to start in March 2022 and anticipated to be completed in 2025. The project will deliver new and improved recreational and cultural amenities, including a new skate park, a variety of multipurpose and outdoor spaces, an arena with a 500-spectator capacity, more aquatic space, indoor and outdoor fitness amenities, preschool and youth spaces. A new facility for Silver Harbour Seniors’ Activity Centre is also planned for the site.
The existing HJCRC will be closed at the end of the year to make way for a new development on the Harry Jerome Neighbourhood Lands. The multi-phase project being developed by Darwin Construction will provide a variety of housing types, including leasehold condo, below-market/market rental, non-profit housing and seniors assisted living. The decision to lease the land first, and having the financial resources to finance the new HJCRC upfront, was made as a way to reduce the impact on taxpayers and manage the financial risk of such as large project.
The total budget for HJCRC is $181,696,000 and for Silver Harbour Seniors’ Activity Centre is $23,437,000. The project is being financed primarily through the revenue from leasing and redevelopment of the existing HJCRC neighbourhood lands. Funding was also allocated from annual increases to the City’s operating budget which were implemented 2013-2017 for the HJCRC project - approximately 4% of the City’s property tax levy which provided $2.6M per year on an ongoing basis. $13.7M was also funded in previous capital budgets.
The current HJCRC was constructed in 1966. After serving the community of North Vancouver for more than 55 years, the existing Harry Jerome Community Recreation Centre has reached the end of its useful life.
This new recreation facility will embrace the City’s vision of A Healthy City for All, creating a welcoming, vibrant, social heart of the community. Guided by the City’s Community Recreation Strategy, the new HJCRC is focused on physical and mental health, wellness, inclusion and diversity. The City’s goal is to create a barrier-free, accessible space for everyone in the community to enjoy.
For more information, including HJCRC project updates, visit cnv.org/hjcrc.
Backgrounder
The City of North Vancouver and District of North Vancouver partner to deliver recreation and culture services through the North Vancouver Recreation and Culture Commission. This partnership provides residents and user groups with access to all the community recreation centres across North Vancouver and with options when a facility is closed as was the case during the construction of the Delbrook Community Recreation Centre.
NVRC Interim Recreation and Culture Service Plan
As capacity and demand is high for programs, services and group rentals, the plan:
- Incorporates high priority programs previously offered at HJCRC into other NVRC facilities;
- Extends operating hours of pools to accommodate more people swimming;
- Explores alternate venue options in the neighbourhood surrounding HJCRC and other locations in the City;
- Complements indoor services with outdoor options where appropriate;
- Implements resident first registration for swimming and skating programs (in addition to tennis and adaptive programs which already have this system in place); and
- Explores options for community groups seeking rental space for programs.
Service Options During Construction
Access & Inclusion Programs: Services for people with disabilities and vulnerable populations will be accommodated at other NVRC-operated recreation centres and in partnership with community agencies. Venues have been selected based on easy access by transit and accessibility of facilities. The NVRC Financial Assistance program is available to individuals with financial barriers, along with a variety of low and no-cost programs/services.
Arts: NVRC arts programs will continue to be offered in other NVRC-operated recreation centres along with some programs offered at Centennial Theatre, and possibly Silver Harbour Seniors Activity Centre.
Aquatics: The hours at Ron Andrews and Delbrook pools will be extended to accommodate more people in swimming lessons, aquacise, masters swimming and some lane swimming.
Fitness: Programs will be offered at the Pipe Shop, Lions Gate Community Rec Centre (opening early in late fall 2021) and other locations. Hours of operation of fitness centres in community recreation centres will be extended if needed and feasible.
Flicka Gymnastics: Planning is underway to relocate to the Mickey McDougall Community Recreation Centre.
Ice and Dry Floor Arenas: Ice time at Karen Magnussen (KM) arena and public time at Canlan Ice Sports will be maximized to provide public skating and lessons. In-line hockey will continue at the KM arena. As ceiling height and slope in the KM arena do not meet the lacrosse requirements for players over age 10, options for indoor Minor, Junior B and Senior B lacrosse are being explored with user groups.
Lonsdale Preschool Program: Will be temporarily relocated to another community recreation centre with a longer term goal of a more permanent location in the City.
Out of School Programs: Options are being explored to provide more services in schools and in other community venues.
Registered and Drop-in Sports Programs: Will be moved to other NVRC-operated facilities.
Skate Park: Will be closed. Alternate skate parks include Griffin Bowl, Kirkstone and Seylynn.
Youth Centres: Youth from HJCRC will be encouraged to visit alternate centres.
Additional details on 2022 program dates, times, locations and registration will be provided in November and posted at nvrc.ca.