New Mount Pleasant Community Centre Opens Tomorrow December 11

December 10, 2009 (No. 65) - The Mount Pleasant Community Centre will reopen its doors tomorrow, Friday, December 11, at its new home at #1 Kingsway. The public is invited to drop in, say hello to staff and tour the new facility. Visitors can relax in the Games Room or work out in the new fitness centre. The popular Parent and Tot Drop-in program will also resume on Friday from 10:15 am to-12:15 pm.

Residents can pick up a brochure or visit the community centre website to check out program offerings. The next season of scheduled programming begins in January.

The gleaming new community centre, 24% larger than the old facility, features a stunning gym with a 26 feet high climbing wall, an expansive fitness centre, a dance studio and multi-purpose rooms. It shares the new space with the relocated Mount Pleasant Branch Library, Child Development Centre, a café and market rental housing. Flow, an art installation by Fiona Bowie comprised of ever-changing photographic scenes projected onto a large expanse of street level glass greets visitors as they enter the new building.

The new facility was built to target LEED Gold certification and includes many green features such as rainwater holding cisterns for irrigation, heating and cooling by ground sourced heat pumps and a green roof. Improved indoor air quality has been achieved through selection of flooring, carpets, paints, glues and sealants with minimal air contaminants. Numerous windows provide lots of natural light and views. Shading devices are used to reflect direct sunlight in many areas, reducing glare and preventing overheating of the building. The site is easily accessible by public transit and parking is available underground.

The community centre is open 6 am to 10 pm weekdays and 9 am to 6 pm on weekends. The community centre's new phone number is 604-257-3080.

A grand opening celebration for the facility is being planned for early in the new year.

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For more information contact: Carol DeFina, Communications Coordinator, at 604-257-8440
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.