Construction is underway on a new recreation centre that will triple the amount of indoor fitness and recreation space at the University of British Columbia’s Vancouver campus.

Recreation Centre North, located in the heart of campus, will feature an indoor floor area of 101,000 sq. ft. spread over four levels and will include three gymnasium courts, an elevated 200-metre indoor track, and more than 40,000 sq. ft. of state-of-the-start fitness and multipurpose studio space.

The facility demonstrates UBC’s commitment to wellbeing by meeting the growing need from our community members for more recreation and gym space.

“We are thrilled to be breaking ground on the new recreation centre for UBC’s Vancouver campus,” says Kavie Toor, managing director of UBC Athletics and Recreation. “Demand for recreation and fitness access at UBC is at an all-time high. The new facility not only supports students’ fitness and wellbeing goals, but it also provides them with a space to prioritize their mental and physical health while they are pursuing their academic achievements.”

Designed by Shape Architecture, the new building will be located immediately north of the UBC Life Building (formerly the Student Union Building) and at the west end of Student Union Boulevard.

The facility will be seamlessly integrated with the UBC Life and Student Services Hub, and will include an outdoor walkway corridor at ground level to allow foot traffic to readily flow through the area. In addition to fitness space, the building will also include multipurpose rooms, universal and gender-specific change areas, and administrative offices.

Recreation Centre North will also be constructed to a LEED Gold green building standard and is Rick Hansen Foundation Certified.

Construction is expected to finish in late 2024.