Civic Recreation Centres
A long Vancouver history
From the time of the city’s first pioneers to the 
present, the Vancouver residents
have valued the availability, affordability and accessibility of public recreation. Before the turn of the last century, field hockey, baseball, cricket and bicycle clubs were well-entrenched sports in Vancouver, attracting great numbers of participants in the city’s first official green space, Stanley Park.
From field house to community centre
Through the first decades of the 20th century, neighbourhood and other grassroots sporting organizations - dedicated to fitness and fun - developed throughout Vancouver. Gradually these groups, which used the growing park system for activities, formed community partnerships with the Vancouver Park Board to enrich programming.
Community sponsored park field houses and programs sprang up across the city, followed in the early 1950s by larger community centres. In those early days, new centres were cost-shared between the City of Vancouver and the neighbourhoods through local improvement by-laws.
A proud legacy of recreation facilities
Vancouver’s community recreation system has never looked better. New and extensive recreation complexes that include fitness centres, swimming pools, ice rinks and so much more are within walking distance from most residents. They offer gathering places for all ages and an important focal point in every community.
Credit: Claudette Carracedo Today, there are 23 community recreation complexes located in city neighbourhoods, operated in cooperation with community centre associations and societies. The 2010 Winter Games will greatly enhance Vancouver’s recreation infrastructure by building the new Vancouver Olympic Centre/Vancouver Paralympic Centre at Hillcrest Park, which will convert to a community centre after the Games. As well, two new skating rinks are being constructed with the assistance of 2010 Winter Games funds and will further enhance ice-related events far into the future.
Find out more about Vancouver community centres.
NOTE: Some of the City’s recreation facilities are operating under modified conditions and hours leading up to, during and after the 2010 Winter Games. Click here for more information.
