Provincial Awards

West Vancouver Community Centre
District of West Vancouver

The West Vancouver Community Centre (WVCC) was opened for public use in March of 2009, the culmination of 10 years of planning, deliberation, and consensus. Conceived as a replacement for outdated and deteriorating facilities from the 1950’s and 1960’s, the centre as it is today was a leap of imagination and innovation.

The endeavour saw the expansion of an existing Seniors Activity Centre, the upgrade of an Ice Arena, the addition of underground parking, the replacement/expansion of an aging Aquatic Centre and the consolidation of mechanical systems and ground source heating serving all these buildings. The WVCC brought these services together and created a hub for a broad range of recreation activities and health services that received immediate endorsement by residents.

The planning for this facility began by asking citizens how they envisioned the long term use of their civic centre precinct, the home of the key recreation facilities. It was established that parking would go underground to preserve precious surface space, that sustainability in all aspects would characterize the project, that separated facilities would be integrated for ease of use and cost-savings, and that high quality architectural design would be applied at every step.

The site was constrained despite its ten acre size. The new Community Centre, three times the size of the old facility, had to sit within the same footprint, and join the other facilities together. Partners had to be integrated in a seamless service that gave patrons a feeling of unity.

The Centre was designed to LEED Gold standards and was registered and built within those guidelines. The project introduced the first vertically bored ground source heat recover system in BC, eventually providing 40% of the energy requirements for the whole complex. Flexibility is a central theme in this building. While spaces have designated uses, they are also designed to accept a variety of program and events. The Centre is accessible to everyone in the community through design and programming that provides for all ages, abilities and incomes. Community governance is at the core of the WVCC which is jointly overseen by the District and the West Vancouver Community Centres Services Society.

The West Vancouver Community Centre presents a dynamic approach to community centre design that looks towards the future while revitalizing important public buildings. The facility provides a comprehensive mix of Community Recreation and Community Health functions in a unique “Wellness” Centre that includes spaces for sport, dance, art, health education, health clinics, music, childcare and a variety of social interaction.

The West Vancouver Community Centre embodies all aspects of the Facility Excellence Award and the BCRPA is pleased to present this award to the District of West Vancouver.