River District residents await promised Vancouver community centre

Residents of Vancouver’s growing River District are still waiting for construction to begin on a promised community centre that was expected to open in 2025. The planned facility includes child-care space, an amphitheatre, public plaza and athletic areas; residents say the target has shifted to 2027 without work starting on site.

The centre is not included in Vancouver’s 2027–2030 capital plan because a 2022 agreement made developer Wesgroup Properties responsible for delivering it. Under the arrangement, the Vancouver Park Board would operate the facility when it opens.

The City allowed Wesgroup additional residential density and height in River District to help close a funding shortfall. The developer says higher Metro Vancouver development cost charges added about $70 million to the broader River District project and that updated estimates put the community-centre budget at about $60 million, up from $47 million.

Wesgroup says it has invested more than $3 million and advanced the project through detailed design and the urban design panel, but says the financial framework needs adjustment. In July, the City said Wesgroup had advised that proceeding was not financially viable at that time, while remaining committed to the amenity.

Residents say the loss of a temporary community space in 2020 has left the neighbourhood without adequate programming and gathering space as its population grows. A 2021 Park Board memo identified a $15-million shortfall and warned the 2027 target could be at risk.