New Harry Jerome Community Recreation Centre opens in North Vancouver

The City of North Vancouver has officially opened the New Harry Jerome Community Recreation Centre, a 189,000-square-foot complex described as the largest community recreation facility on the North Shore. Mayor Linda Buchanan and council members marked the opening with public tours, live performances and recreation demonstrations.

The event also unveiled public art, including a portrait of the late Harry Jerome by Yared Nigussu and installations by Qʷənat Angela Paul and Jill Anholt. Buchanan said the project followed more than 20 years of planning and engagement and was designed for people of all ages and abilities.

Designed by Vancouver firm HCMA Architecture and Design, the centre includes flexible program rooms, indoor and outdoor fitness areas, an Olympic-sized gymnasium, arts and youth spaces, a community kitchen and gathering areas. Its NHL-sized arena will host hockey, para ice hockey, ringette, public skating, lacrosse, inline hockey and other dry-floor sports, with seating for up to 500 spectators.

An aquatics centre scheduled to open in the fall will include a leisure pool, 25-metre 10-lane lap pool, diving facilities, hot pools, steam room, sauna and universal and gender-inclusive change rooms. The city says it will be only the second Canadian facility with its specified low-energy, low-chlorine filtration system.

The North Vancouver Recreation and Culture Commission will operate the centre. Some service areas open Monday, July 27, with try-it and drop-in activities planned before most regular programming begins in September. Fall program and registration information is available through the NVRC website.