Two Burnaby projects planned by Ismaili community highlighted by mayor

Burnaby Mayor Mike Hurley says two projects planned by the Ismaili community will expand housing, care and gathering space in the city. The projects were highlighted during the recent visit of Prince Rahim Aga Khan V, the 50th hereditary Imam of Shia Ismaili Muslims.

Generations Burnaby is proposed immediately west of and behind the Ismaili Centre Vancouver. The mixed-use campus would include seniors housing, long-term care beds, a medical clinic, a child-care facility with outdoor play space and multipurpose social space.

Hurley says the development is intended to bring housing, long-term care, primary health services and early-childhood programming together in one location. It is part of the Generations national non-profit initiative, which has projects planned in seven cities across four provinces, including Burnaby, Vancouver and the Tri-Cities.

The second proposal, the Burnaby Lake multipurpose centre, would be built at the Burnaby Lake Jamatkhana site. Plans call for a hall for more than 500 people, to be used for sports, performances, weddings and community events.

The Ismaili community is providing land and fundraising for the projects, Hurley said. During the visit, Build Canada Homes and the Ismaili Council for Canada also signed a national memorandum of understanding intended to advance housing through the Generations model.