W.E. Connect: West End Community Hub Renewal Plan

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CLOSED: engagement on the West End Community Hub Renewal Plan has concluded. Thank you to the community members who participated and provided input. You can learn more about the plan and past engagement on this project page. For future updates, visit https://vancouver.ca/home-property-development/west-end-community-hub-renewal-plan.aspx

‘W.E. Connect’ text and illustrations of the West End Community Centre, King George Secondary School and Joe Fortes Library.

City of Vancouver, Vancouver School Board, Vancouver Public Library, Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation and West End Community Centre Association have worked together to create a renewal plan for the West End Community Hub (WECH). The West End Community Hub will include a renewed West End Community Centre and Ice Arena, King George Secondary School, Joe Fortes Library, childcare spaces and the relocation of Firehall No. 6.

The West End Community Hub Renewal Plan guides the future of the site’s buildings, programming and outdoor spaces.

Public input

Community members were involved throughout the project.

We thank everyone for their participation and input.

Project status

At the end of February 2024, the Renewal Plan was endorsed by City of Vancouver Council, Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation and Vancouver Public Library Board. The West End Community Centre Association endorsed the plan in November 2023.

Work to secure funding for this renewal continues, and construction will not start until funding is secured. Construction will need to be implemented through multiple phases and capital plans, based on funding and renewal priorities.

City of Vancouver, Vancouver School Board, Vancouver Public Library, Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation and West End Community Centre Association have worked together to create a renewal plan for the West End Community Hub (WECH). The West End Community Hub will include a renewed West End Community Centre and Ice Arena, King George Secondary School, Joe Fortes Library, childcare spaces and the relocation of Firehall No. 6.

The West End Community Hub Renewal Plan guides the future of the site’s buildings, programming and outdoor spaces.

Public input

Community members were involved throughout the project.

We thank everyone for their participation and input.

Project status

At the end of February 2024, the Renewal Plan was endorsed by City of Vancouver Council, Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation and Vancouver Public Library Board. The West End Community Centre Association endorsed the plan in November 2023.

Work to secure funding for this renewal continues, and construction will not start until funding is secured. Construction will need to be implemented through multiple phases and capital plans, based on funding and renewal priorities.

CLOSED: engagement on the West End Community Hub Renewal Plan has concluded. Thank you to the community members who participated and provided input. You can learn more about the plan and past engagement on this project page. For future updates, visit https://vancouver.ca/home-property-development/west-end-community-hub-renewal-plan.aspx

Ask us a question about the reimagining process for the West End Community Hub and we will respond within 5 business days. 

User names and questions will be public once answered. If you prefer to provide private feedback, please email the project team at WeConnect@vancouver.ca. 

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    Why is any parking being considered for this project at all? The west end is treasured as a neighbourhood precisely because it has less car usage per person than other. Parking, especially below market subsidized parking, is a well known, well researched inducement to increased vehicle use, the very thing that will make the West End not the West End. Why do this? If people must drive their cars, fine, but they should find their parking on the private market and pay full market rents. The city should be taking care of people, not cars.

    VancouverForAll asked 11 months ago

    Thank you for your feedback. Project partners have worked with traffic and engineering consultants to ensure there is an appropriate number paid parking spaces for the site. The vision for this site was created with the community and includes supporting play, learning, creativity and wellness for all people. This includes community members who may have accessibility requirements and require access to the centre by vehicle.  

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    12 days ago George G asked, "Would the off-site location of an arena and parking require the expropriation of land and eviction of current tenants on Barclay/Denman?" but the answer didn't actually answer the question. Will the city be evicting human beings to make way for cars? Why is the city excavating to build an underground arena rather than simply making the buildings taller? No one wants to play sports underground.

    VancouverForAll asked 11 months ago

    Thank you for your feedback. The renewal plan is for the site that currently includes the West End Community Centre, Joe Fortes Library Branch, and the King George Secondary School. In all three scenarios, the arena and parking are planned to be built under the renewed buildings and outdoor spaces. There are no plans to redevelop any area off the existing site. No residential areas are being considered for this redevelopment and no residents will be evicted. In order to provide all identified community amenities on the existing site, and not disrupt existing residential areas, the Vancouver Board of parks and Recreation is considering an underground regulation-size ice sheet for the site. Once funding has been secured for the redevelopment, project partners will continue to work with the community on the design of spaces – including light and other visual connections between the above ground community centre and arena.

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    What will go in the place of the current Fire Hall 6 on Nelson St? Thank you.

    LeahC2250 asked 11 months ago

    City staff are assessing future uses for this site and planning will include community consultation. It is anticipated there will be opportunities for the current Fire Hall #6 location to support other important community activities.

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    What is the estimated completion date of this project? I may have missed this information but the project timeline and estimated completion date isn’t clear.

    asked 11 months ago

    The West End Community Hub Renewal Plan, which will guide future redevelopment of the site, is anticipated to be complete by late 2023. Construction timelines for the new West End Community Hub have not yet been determined, but will take place over multiple phases. Large redevelopment projects take a phased approached as funding is secured and to minimize community disruption.

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    Would the off-site location of an arena and parking require the expropriation of land ans eviction of current tenants on Barclay/Denman?

    George G asked 11 months ago

    Thank you for your question and review of the site scenarios. In all three site scenarios, the arena and parking are located within the current West End Community Hub site. The parking and arena would both be located underground, with parking directly below the community centre and arena below the outdoor play field. This would allow for a regulation-size ice sheet on the site, expanded spectator seating and parking for all West End Community Hub services.

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    I have been told by a neighbour that Denman Street will be closed for 5 years when the development starts and all traffic will be diverted to Thurlow Street. This seems unbelievable. Is that true?

    Wendy Sarkissisan asked about 1 year ago

    This project is currently in the planning stage. The purpose of current work is to create the West End Community Hub Renewal Plan, which will guide and direct the future of the site’s buildings, programming, outdoor spaces, and outline project phasing. Project phasing will determine how services can be maintained throughout future redevelopment and helps minimize service and construction disruption. Phasing and future construction timelines are not yet determined and specific plans, including any potential road closures, will be communicated and discussed with community well in advance of any construction.

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    How will the new envisioned spaces cater to the existing and growing youth population, and in particular pre-teens and teens of the area who need safe spaces available to hang out with friends (outside of school hours)?

    TMM asked about 1 year ago

    Thank you for this feedback. We have heard from community that youth spaces are needed, and therefore dedicated spaces that can primarily be used after school, including drop-in, informal, and for structured social and recreational activities for youth are being explored for the future West End Community Hub. These spaces are envisioned to be located outside of the high school and available to youth outside of school hours. In Spring 2023, project partners will share options with the community for how spaces of the future Hub will take shape and we appreciate any additional feedback you have on youth spaces at this time.

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    The current public spaces available for youth in the West End is very limited. There is some programming for 10-18 year olds but whenever the outside of school programming is offered it is fully booked out with long wait lists. We are a new family to the WE and it is very difficult to find opportunities for teenagers to have a safe space where they can engage in activities and meet up with friends and others in the community. With continued population growth in the area, there is a growing need for a dedicated space., so how can a purposeful and dedicated Youth space be incorporated into the new imagined centres - similar to Yaletown, West Vancouver and other community centres - to meet existing needs and also future proof the new development?

    ActiveInVan asked about 1 year ago

    Thank you for this feedback and insight. We have heard from community that youth spaces are needed, and therefore dedicated spaces that can primarily be used after school, including drop-in, informal, and for structured social and recreational activities for youth are being explored for the future West End Community Hub. In Spring 2023, project partners will share options with the community for how the spaces of the future Hub will take shape and we appreciate any additional feedback you have on youth spaces at this time.

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    Are you considering adding a public playground, including something for kids under 5? The West End currently has no public playground, so families need to walk to a different neighborhood (Coal Harbour, Yaletown) or go on a long walk into Stanley Park to access one. All those options are too far for a preschooler to walk on a daily basis, and don't allow parents, caregivers and children to meet others in their local community. Schoolyard playgrounds are closed to the public most days (and not built for the developmental needs of a preschooler). A neighbourhood splash pad would also be a welcome bonus for the outdoor space, and would be used by the local schools & daycares and help give some relief during heat waves. Please build a neighborhood playground to allow local parents, caregivers and children to build community, socialize and meet their neighbours, all while supporting the developmental needs of our community's children.

    cai asked over 1 year ago

    Thank you for your comment. Outdoor public spaces, including spaces for children of all ages, are important to the community. Project partners are currently working to develop initial options for how the community hub spaces could take shape, which will be shared with the community for additional feedback. Check back here for future engagement opportunities.

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    Will there be a gym like before

    Syska Daniel asked over 2 years ago

    Yes, all community amenities currently on site will be renewed. In Winter 2022, we will work with the community to plan for how residents would like to use the future community hub spaces, including enhancements to existing amenities.