The Harry Jerome Community Recreation Centre (HJCRC) in North Vancouver is moving ahead, aligning the delivery of the new facility with development of the surrounding Harry Jerome Neighbourhood Lands (HJNL).

Construction is expected to begin in 2022 with completion in 2025. Design of the new Harry Jerome centre is nearing completion and will be presented to city council in April.

According to Mayor Linda Buchanan, the city is “on track to deliver this long-awaited new facility which prioritizes the wellbeing of people. Through location, amenities and programming the new centre will promote a healthy community within a walkable neighbourhood as council has envisioned.”

With Phase 1 underway at Lonsdale and East 21st St., city staff are negotiating lease terms with Darwin Properties for the project’s remaining sites. The intent is to enter into leases for remaining city-owned sites by the end of this year, with revenues from the leases financing the construction of the new centre.

The centre will feature a mixed-use development of residential and commercial space, a new park and a prominent connection for the Green Necklace.

The new centre will include many amenities such as: an arena, enhanced aquatics centre with a 26.5 metre 10 lane pool and large leisure pool, multipurpose spaces, fitness space, preschool space, a gymnasium, youth and arts spaces, and an outdoor area that includes a new skate park, active and play areas and an outdoor multisport court. A new facility for Silver Harbour Seniors Activity Centre is also planned for the site.

The existing facility and Memorial Recreation Centre will close at the end of 2021 so that the redevelopment work can begin.