Kitsilano Community Centre's Heat Recovery Project

✍️ By Karalee Greer | WBN News – Kitsilano | May 10, 2025

Located in the heart of Vancouver’s west side, the Kitsilano War Memorial Community Centre is not only a beloved recreational hub, but also a powerful example of how community infrastructure can align with 21st-century climate action goals. Founded in 1951 as a tribute to Vancouverites who served in World War II, the centre has grown into a vibrant space offering a wide array of programs—from aquafit to youth basketball, cultural events, and seniors' workshops.

♻️ A Sustainable Retrofit

In 2018, the City of Vancouver, in partnership with Prism Engineering, launched a forward-thinking Heat Recovery Project to address the building’s outdated mechanical systems and reduce its environmental footprint. Prior to the retrofit, the centre's HVAC system was characterized by oversized and inefficient components, including three large boilers and supplemental gas-fired air handling units. The new system integrates variable flow heat recovery chillers and reconfigured boilers, optimizing performance and allowing continuous operation even under varying load conditions. Kitsilano Community Centre Heat Recovery

The heart of the new system is its ability to capture waste heat from the ice rink’s refrigeration process and redistribute it to heat water and air throughout the facility, including the showers, change rooms, and the whirlpool. The system uses variable flow heat recovery chillers, allowing it to run efficiently even under changing conditions. It’s one of the most comprehensive and impactful retrofits of its kind in Vancouver. https://kitscc.com/wp-content/uploads/KitsccAGM-Report-2021.pdf

🌎 Proven Climate Impact

Since implementation, the project has yielded an 82% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, helping move Vancouver toward its goal of becoming a carbon-neutral city by 2050. Kitsilano Community Centre Heat Recovery It has also lowered operating costs, making it both an environmental and economic win. According to the City’s 2019 case study, the Kitsilano retrofit stands as a template for energy-efficient modernization of older civic buildings across Canada.

🏫 More Than Just Bricks and Boilers

While the Heat Recovery Project is a major achievement, the Kitsilano Community Centre remains, first and foremost, a community cornerstone. It includes a fitness centre, a full-sized gymnasium, multi-purpose rooms, and an ice rink that serves as the core of its heat recovery strategy. Thousands of residents pass through its doors each month for everything from drop-in yoga to community potlucks.

The centre’s inclusive programs span all age groups and backgrounds, making it a cultural touchstone for Kitsilano residents. It’s also supported by the Kitsilano Community Centre Association, which plays an active role in shaping programming and community engagement. https://kitscc.com/

🔋 A Model for the Future

As cities across Canada seek to reduce carbon emissions in the built environment, Kitsilano’s successful retrofit shows what's possible with vision, engineering expertise, and community will. The project also illustrates how heritage buildings don’t need to be sacrificed for sustainability—instead, they can evolve into the climate-conscious hubs of tomorrow.

Karalee Greer - Publisher

Tags: #WBN News Kitsilano #Karalee Greer #Kitsilano #Kitsilano Community Centre #Green Infrastructure #Sustainability #Climate Action