After years of delays, Burnaby is set to open Rosemary Brown Recreation Centre and its two NHL-sized rinks April 2.
The new 92,000-square-foot, $54-million arena is located in Edmonds at 7789 18th St.
"It will be great to open the doors to this wonderful community hub where residents can gather, connect and be active," said Mayor Mike Hurley in a press release.
"I look forward to seeing Burnaby residents of all ages enjoying Rosemary Brown Recreation Centre."
Community members can find drop-in activities and lessons at the facility beginning Tuesday, April 2, and the city will release more details about the grand opening in the near future.
(City council recently announced it renamed the facility from the Rosemary Brown Arena to Rosemary Brown Recreation Centre at its meeting March 11.)
The arena is named after local politician and social justice champion, Rosemary Brown, the first Black woman elected to a provincial legislature in Canada.
She served as MLA in Burnaby from 1979 to 1986.
"She was a pioneer politician, community leader and human rights champion who used her voice to fight discrimination against women and people of colour," stated the press release.
The new rec centre will include:
- two NHL-sized rinks
- a skate shop
- a concession
- meeting and multi-purpose rooms
- warm-side arena viewing
- an outdoor rooftop patio
- universal gender-neutral washrooms
- electric vehicle charging stalls
The facility's construction was delayed multiple times, and it was originally supposed to open in fall 2021.
