New Sunset Community Centre Officially Opens

April 7, 2008 (No. 14) - The Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation officially opened the stunning new Sunset Community Centre today. Park Board Chair Korina Houghton and Sunset Community Association President Walter Schultz were joined by B.C. Premier Gordon Campbell, the Honourable Chuck Strahl, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Member of Parliament for Chilliwack-Fraser Canyon and Vancouver Mayor Sam Sullivan at the opening ceremonies.

The replacement and relocation of one of Vancouver's oldest community centres was a joint project between the Government of Canada, the Province of British Columbia, the City of Vancouver, the Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation and the Sunset Community Association.

The new facility is 20% larger than the old centre that first opened in 1950. Artfully positioned in its new location to showcase its sculptural, organic qualities, it boasts a uniquely curved roofline resembling a five-petaled flower when viewed from the air. The roof's design is also echoed in the gentle knolls of the new surrounding green space, bringing new visual interest to the traditional streetscape of Main Street.

The light-filled interior provides major programmable space for a full-sized gymnasium featuring a hardwood floor and ceiling, two multi-purpose rooms, a fitness centre, aerobics/dance room, arts and crafts room, youth lounge and two preschools. The facility was designed and built with numerous energy saving features, including a state-of-the-art geothermal heating and cooling system, radiant floor heating and high-efficiency glazing.

"The new Sunset Community Centre will serve as a focal point for the community for years to come," said Campbell. "This innovative, green facility is a testament to what can be accomplished when all levels of government work together in partnership for the benefit of citizens."

"The Government of Canada is proud to contribute to the health of communities in British Columbia," said Minister Strahl, on behalf of the Honourable Rona Ambrose, President of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and Minister of Western Economic Diversification. "This community centre will enable more people to have access to a leisure facility for years to come."

"The new Sunset Community Centre is a tribute to the hard work and achievement of community volunteers and neighbourhood associations," said Vancouver Mayor Sam Sullivan. "Today is a day to celebrate that spirit and the contribution of all levels of government that helped make this project succeed. This represents the best of Vancouver and one of the reasons we are regularly ranked as one of the world's top cities."

Sunset Association President Walter Schultz added, "The opening of the Sunset Community Centre has taken over ten years of grassroots community efforts but today all those efforts have been truly worth it. We are so proud of our beautiful new centre; it quite frankly takes your breath away."

Park Board Chair, Korina Houghton said, "The Sunset Community Centre was made possible because we had the enthusiastic support of all levels of government and the community itself. Moving the new centre to Main Street brings it closer to the heart of this busy, vibrant community."

The new community centre opened its doors to the public on Monday, December 17, 2007. The 2800 m² (30,000 ft²) stylish structure was designed by Bing Thom Architects and was built by Haebler Construction Ltd. at a cost of just over $12 million.

The Canada/BC Infrastructure Program, administered through Western Economic Diversification, provided $4 million and the Sunset Community Association contributed another $900,000 towards the project. The balance of funds was provided by the City of Vancouver through its 2003-2005 Capital Plan.

BC Premier Gordon Campbell, the Honourable Chuck Strahl, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and MP for Chilliwack-Fraser Canyon, the Honourable Carole Taylor, Minister of Finance and MLA for Vancouver-Langara, Korina Houghton, Chair, Vancouver Park Board, Walter Schultz, President, Sunset Community Association and Sam Sullivan, Mayor, City of Vancouver unveil the plaque recognizing the joint partnership between the Government of Canada, the Province of British Columbia, the City of Vancouver, the Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation and the Sunset Community Association.

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Joyce Courtney Manager of Communications Vancouver Park Board 604-257-8699

Bridgitte Anderson Press Secretary Office of the Premier 250-387-1715

Catherine Brown Western Economic Diversification Canada 604-666-1306

www.vancouverparks.ca

The Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation maintains 220 parks and 40 major facilities throughout the City of Vancouver. The Park Board's mission is to provide, preserve and advocate for parks and recreation services to benefit people, communities and the environment.