Lion’s Gate Community Recreation Centre
1733 Lions Gate Ln, North Vancouver, British Columbia
Type: New construction
Size: 30,900 sf
Project Cost: $13.4 million
Development Partners:
- District of North Vancouver
- LARCO Investments Inc.
- North Vancouver Recreation and Culture
- North Vancouver District Public Libraries
Status: Opened in 2022
Description
The Lions Gate Community Recreation Centre (LGCRC) features a full-sized gymnasium, an express library, community spaces, community kitchen, and office space. The 2-storey centre was constructed as part of a larger mixed-use development of 18- and 12-storey residential towers with the LGCRC and commercial space at-grade, low-rise apartments, townhouses, and a 30,000 sq.ft. District-owned public plaza. Of the 341 residential units, 119 are rental units and 45 of these units are reserved for seniors.
Complexity / Collaboration
The site was vacant and privately-owned at the time of rezoning in 2014. It was formerly a private athletic club. The municipality and the developer negotiated for the community centre to be included in the development as an amenity contribution through the rezoning process.
User Interaction/Partnership Framework
The community centre is owned by the District of North Vancouver and operated by 3 partners: North Vancouver Recreation and Culture Commission, North Vancouver District Public Library, and Capilano Community Services Society. LARCO is responsible for the residential components of the project.
Costs / Funding
The District of North Vancouver negotiated with developer LARCO during the rezoning process to include the shell of the community centre in the development, which was considered a $8.5 million amenity contribution on behalf of the developer. The centre’s interior cost was $4.9 million, of which LARCO paid $2.5 million while the remaining amount was funded by a separate community amenity contribution from a nearby development, the Grouse Inn.
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