The City of Burnaby has announced it expects to open a wide array of new facilities in what is a new recreation centre on the north side.
Feb. 1 was when the city officially assumed ownership of 3713 Kensington Ave., the site of the former Fortius Sport & Health facility.
In December 2020, the city purchased the property for $26.6 million from the Fortius Foundation. The purchase also reimbursed Fortius for the balance of the pre-paid lease on the adjacent sports fields on city-owned land at 3677 Kensington Ave.
Although the full recreation program at this facility is still in the works, the city said it hopes to open the facility’s weight room and fitness space to the public as soon as March. Visits will be booked through the same advance registration system used at other city facilities, in keeping with current pandemic guidelines.
“This will soon become a thriving hub in our community, a place where residents will come to be active and healthy, and to engage and connect with their neighbours,” said Mayor Mike Hurley, in a statement. “Burnaby is growing rapidly and so too are the recreation needs of our residents. This facility will play an important role in meeting the needs of our dynamic community now and into the future.”
Built in 2013, the facility at 3713 Kensington is in excess of 146,000 square feet located on a 5.16-acre property across the street from C.G. Brown Memorial Pool. City staff are already developing a detailed program for the facility’s impressive list of amenities, which includes:
- A double-gymnasium;
- fitness studios;
- office space;
- weight room; and
- FIFA-standard turf pitch.
The city also hopes that incorporating 3713 Kensington into the overall recreation program at Burnaby Lake will result in “significant cost savings” as the city moves forward with the replacement project for C.G. Brown Memorial Pool and Burnaby Lake Arena due to the reduced space and parking requirements.
