Vancouver Park Board - Southeast False Creek & Olympic Village

2010 Winter Games

Southeast False Creek Community centre
(at Vancouver Olympic Village)

Building the Venue
Pre-Games
Games Time
After the Games / Legacy

The Vancouver Park Board's 24th community centre is located on a stunning waterfront lot at Southeast False Creek, part of the Olympic and Paralympic Village Vancouver. The 4,227 sq m (45,500 sq ft) facility will become a two-level community centre, child-care facility, non-power boating centre and will also include space for a two-level restaurant. The north side of the facility provides sweeping views of False Creek and the North Shore mountains and the Village's pedestrian plaza will be accessible from the west side. The seawall skirts the north side of the building and provides easy access for cyclists and pedestrians.

During the 2010 Winter Games the building will be used as office space for the Olympic and Paralympic mayor, management staff and Four Host First Nations. Amenities for athletes will also be located here.

After the completion of the Winter Games the facility will be returned to the Park Board for conversion to a state-of-the-art community centre which will open in summer 2010.

At-A-Glance

Location	#1 Athlete's Way
Olympic Use	• Office space for the Olympic and Paralympic Village mayor, management staff and Four Host First Nations • Restaurant and retail space for Olympic sponsors
Post-Olympic Use	Community centre, childcare centre, non-motorized boating centre, restaurant
Project Costs	$36,020,000
Project Funding	City of Vancouver
Timeline	2000 – Official Development Plan for Olympic Village April 2007 – Urban Design Panel approval Spring 2008 – Construction started October 2009 – Scheduled completion November 2009 – March 2010 – Use by VANOC Spring 2010 – Community Centre retrofitting and completion Summer 2010 – Open to the public
Size	2,787 sq m (30,000 sq ft) community centre 743 sq m (8,000 sq ft) childcare centre 557 sq m (6,000 sq ft) commercial/restaurant space 140 sq m (1,500 sq ft) boating centre
Architect	Walter Francl Architecture Inc. and Nick Milkovich Architects Inc. + Arthur Erickson
Project Manager	City of Vancouver: Ian A. Smith, Manager of Development, City Parcels, 604-871-6857 Park Board: Ernest J. Fanthorpe, Facility Development Coordinator, 604-257-8458
Media enquiries	Joyce Courtney, Manager of Communications, 604-257-8699

Pre Games: Building the Venue

The building has been designed as a prominent feature on the False Creek waterfront. To the residential neighbours across the street, it presents a low profile with a variety of surface treatments including green walls and lots of glass offering views into the life of the community centre. On the waterfront and adjacent to the seawall, the building encloses in a graceful sweep a courtyard for multiple outdoor programming.

Project Update

November 4, 2009 – The community centre is completed and has been officially turned over to VANOC as part of a special 100-day countdown ceremony.

Click thumbnails below to view larger images

SEFC Community Centre,
October 2009

Green roof and
solar panels

Aerial view

VANOC will be readying the space for Games-time use.

Construction photo gallery - see the project take shape.

A Green and Sustainable Facility

The community centre is targeting a top honour in building sustainability – LEED Platinum certification. LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is a benchmark for design, construction and operation of green buildings.

Construction/Materials	15% recycled materials 20% regional materials Certified wood used throughout
Site	Redevelopment of a contaminated site Provision of electric vehicle charging stations and an electric vehicle for two years
Water	Rainwater is collected and used for toilet flushing and irrigation 30% reduction in potable water consumption
Energy	No solar power this was dropped due to excessive cost. Solar hot water panels to provide heating and cooling provides 10% renewable energy Green Power being purchased for 50% of the building electrical needs
Indoor Quality	No VOCs in any construction materials Construction indoor air quality management Provision of daylighting and views for building occupants Provision of individuals controls and opening windows for occupants

*LEED is a North American rating and certification system that evaluates energy performance and sustainable building practice. Canada Green Building Council

Games Time

The community centre will provide office space for the Olympic and Paralympic mayor, management staff and Host First Nations. The restaurant, retail space and meeting rooms will be used by Olympic sponsors to provide services and celebration spaces for athletes. Amenities for athletes such as banks, dry cleaner, hair dresser and food services will also be located here.

After the Games / Community Legacy

The centre will be a modern, green building that will integrate a full community centre, non-motorized boating facility, childcare and restaurant in one facility. It will include: