North Vancouver opens $230-million Harry Jerome Community Recreation Centre

The City of North Vancouver has opened the new Harry Jerome Community Recreation Centre in Central Lonsdale, a nearly 190,000-square-foot facility billed as the largest community recreation centre on the North Shore.

The recreation centre and neighbouring Silver Harbour Seniors’ Activity Centre carry a combined $230-million project budget and total about 328,000 square feet when underground space is included. Mayor Linda Buchanan said the project followed more than 20 years of planning and public engagement.

An earlier $237-million plan was paused after the 2018 civic election and redesigned to reduce its cost to $182 million. The revised project replaced a proposed 50-metre competition pool with a 25-metre pool, removed a curling rink and second gymnasium, and reduced parking. Pandemic-related inflation and unexpected soil cleanup later raised the final budget to $230 million.

Some parts of the complex will open for drop-in and try-it activities beginning Monday, July 27, while most regular programming is expected to start in September. The major aquatic centre is scheduled to open later this fall.

The complex includes four pools, a 25-metre 10-lane lap pool, a leisure pool, diving facilities, hot pools, sauna and steam room. It also has an NHL-sized arena with seating for up to 500, a gymnasium, fitness space, multipurpose rooms, an indoor walking loop, art studio, community kitchen and spaces for preschool, early-years and youth programming.

The old Harry Jerome centre across the street closed earlier this summer. The new facility is 52 per cent larger and includes outdoor fitness areas, a skate park, a nature play area, playground and multi-sport court.