Firstenburg Community Center Case Study

The Firstenburg Community Center is a multi-use facility that combines recreational and community spaces with other public services. It embodies the character of the community, provides convenient access to services and brings together a diverse mix of users.

The recreation program includes swim and warm water leisure/therapy pools, a two-court gymnasium, fitness space, aerobics dance studios and multi-purpose activity spaces. The community spaces incorporate child watch, a teen lounge and game room, a senior lounge and resource room, and meeting rooms. The multi-use community rooms, which together seat up to 350, address the lack of meeting and gathering spaces in east Vancouver and provide a venue for City Council meetings, social dances, performances, neighborhood fairs and community forums.

The building and site were carefully designed to seamlessly integrate a now complete city branch library (also designed by Opsis), a future lap pool, and a future arts and crafts wing, which will reinforce the civic identity of this facility. Families have the opportunity to visit the site together, using library and community center resources to enjoy a wide range of recreation and learning activities.

Read the full case study report here.