Marpole Gets Green Community Centre Upgrade

By Elke Porter | WBN News Vancouver | June 30, 2025
Subscription to WBN and being a Writer is FREE!

The Marpole neighbourhood in South Vancouver celebrates a groundbreaking transformation as construction advances on its new state-of-the-art community centre. The $91 million project broke ground in November 2023 and will deliver a 42,000 square foot facility that represents the future of sustainable community infrastructure. This modern facility effectively doubles the size of the aging two-storey building it replaces, bringing expanded recreational opportunities to thousands of local residents. The project showcases Vancouver's commitment to environmental innovation while addressing the growing needs of one of the city's most vibrant communities.

Revolutionary Design Sets Environmental Standards

The broader use of mass timber and a design set to meet Passive House certification will help achieve aggressive GHG emissions-reduction targets. The innovative construction approach delivers remarkable environmental benefits, with the community centre's mass timber structure cutting embodied emissions by 30 per cent, and over 55 per cent when including biogenic carbon. The building will achieve Passive House and LEED Gold green design certifications, and the Rick Hansen Gold accessibility certification, setting new standards for public infrastructure in British Columbia.

Comprehensive Amenities Serve Diverse Community

The 5,000 m² community centre will include a gymnasium, fitness centre, field house, multi-purpose rooms, and a 74-space childcare facility. The new community centre will be built at the southern end of Oak Park, located near the corner of Oak Street and West 59th Avenue, with one level of underground parking that minimizes environmental impact. The centre aims to serve a diverse community upholding best practices around inclusion, equity, and cultural representation.

Project Nears Completion for Early 2026

Construction progress continues steadily, with excavation complete, services installed, and the parkade and ground floor slab poured. Occupancy is scheduled for early 2026, marking the end of a comprehensive renewal process that transforms a 70-year-old facility into a modern community hub. This ambitious project demonstrates how thoughtful urban planning combines environmental responsibility with community needs, creating lasting benefits for South Vancouver residents.

TAGS: #Marpole Community Centre #Vancouver Green #Mass Timber #Sustainable Building #South Vancouver #Community First #WBN News Vancouver #Elke Porter

#MarpoleCommunity #VancouverGreen #MassTimber #SustainableBuilding #SouthVancouver #CommunityFirst