Archie MontroseTop 8 Community Centers in Vancouver
Community centers are vibrant hubs connecting people from all walks of life. Whether you’re a fitness enthusiast, art lover, family with a little one, or someone seeking a sense of belonging, these centers can actually have what you need.
Need help finding your ideal community center? Check out our article below, featuring 8 interesting options to explore in Vancouver.
Kerrisdale Community Centre
Address: 5851 West Boulevard Vancouver BC Canada V6M 3W9
Phone: +1 604 257 8100
Operating Hours:
Monday – Friday 6:30 AM – 10 PM
Saturday – Sunday 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Kerrisdale Community Centre has an inviting atmosphere and a wide range of facilities that provide a wonderful space for relaxing and socializing. There’s a public library, a seniors centre, an exercise room, and indoor and outdoor pools, among other amenities.
The centre has been in operation since 1943 and is one of the city’s first community centres. This staying power is well reflected in their offerings, which cater to all ages and preferences.
Just make sure to check the website ahead of time for schedules and fees. For instance, the exercise room has a drop-in fee of CAD 4.25, while the Maple Grove outdoor pool, which opens during the summer, can be accessed for CAD 6.40.
Pro tip: During the spring and summer, Kerrisdale Community Centre offers tennis lessons at Elm Park.
The centre also partners with Vancouver Park Board’s Field House Activation Program to provide some engaging community-oriented programs covering arts, local food, other sports, and more.
Coal Harbour Community Centre
Address: 480 Broughton St, Vancouver, BC V6G 3H4, Canada
Phone: +1 604 718 8222
Operating Hours:
Monday – Thursday 9 AM – 10 PM
Friday – Saturday 9 AM – 5 PM
Sunday 10 AM – 5 PM
Coal Harbour Community Centre has a dance studio, multipurpose rooms, and a gymnasium, while also offering rental spaces for various occasions. They provide a variety of classes that you can register for, like Zumba and creative writing.
What makes this community centre stand out, though, is its location. Situated at the intersection of Broughton Street and Hastings Street, the centre is set against the backdrop of Stanley Park, the Northshore Mountains, and the Georgia Straight.
A little walk outside the community centre will treat you to beautiful sceneries.
Pro tip: They also provide lessons at the West End Community Centre, including private tennis lessons for children held at the King George Tennis Courts.
The West End Community Centre Association (WECCA) operates both community centres, along with Barclay Manor.
Mount Pleasant Community Centre
Address: 1 Kingsway, Vancouver, BC V5T 3H7, Canada
Phone: +1 604 257 3080
Operating Hours:
Monday – Friday 6 AM – 10 PM
Saturday 8 AM – 6 PM
Sunday 9 AM – 6 PM
This community centre has 30,000 square feet of space that’s used to host a licensed child care centre, gymnasium, fitness centre, dance studio, and multipurpose and meeting rooms, among other facilities.
If you’re looking for a swimming pool, this is not the community centre for you. But if you’re interested in a library (remember to call ahead before borrowing a book), a badminton court, or a rock climbing wall, this center can certainly cater to your needs.
If you’re on the lookout for a café to unwind or a vegan bakery, consider paying a visit to Whisk Matcha and Level V Bakery. They both offer health-conscious options that align with the ethos of the building as a Vancouver Green City facility.
Pro tip: Mount Pleasant Community Centre has also instituted a Food Security Program aimed at providing access to nourishing, high-quality meals within the neighborhood.
If you’re interested in volunteering at the soup kitchen or making donations, you can find more information about their programs here.
Kitsilano War Memorial Community Centre
Address: 2690 Larch St. Vancouver, BC Canada V6K 4K9
Phone: +1 604-257-6976
Operating Hours: (Fall)
Monday – Friday 7 AM – 10 PM
Saturday 8:30 AM – 5 PM
Sunday 8:30 AM – 9:30 PM
The Kitsilano Community Centre offers a wide range of amenities catering to different age groups and interests. They have childcare programs and a seniors’ lounge, plus a well-equipped dance studio and a fitness center complete with a sauna and a whirlpool.
Beyond the more common amenities, they host special needs activities and feature a spray park and an ice rink. The centre is also right beside Connaught Park, so you can relax where there’s plenty of oak and catalpa trees providing shade.
Pro tip: The Kitsilano Community Centre offers a variety of programs and classes, including fitness classes, dance classes, and sports leagues. To ensure you get a spot in the program you want, it’s a good idea to register in advance.
You can find registration dates and information on the Kitsilano Community Centre website.
West End Community Centre
Address: 870 Denman St, Vancouver, BC V6G 2L8, Canada
Phone: +1 604 257 8333
Operating Hours:
Monday – Friday 9 AM – 9 PM
Saturday – Sunday 9 AM – 5 PM
The West End Community Centre is a wonderful place to visit, as everything is clean and well-maintained. They also offer a lot of activities and amenities, such as the fitness centre, pottery studio, and the Little Sprouts Preschool,
The community center’s library is a great resource not only for book enthusiasts but also for those who are running errands and suddenly need to print documents. The process is seamless, and the staff is always ready to assist.
Pro tip: Denman Street is a busy commercial street. Keep in mind that many parking zones around the community center require permits, and metered parking on Denman Street is free only during off-peak times.
Dunbar Community Centre
Address: 4747 Dunbar Street Vancouver BC, Canada V6s 2H2
Phone: +1 604 222 6060
Operating Hours:
Monday – Friday 8:30 AM – 8:30 PM
Saturday 8:45 AM – 4 PM
One of the largest community centres in Vancouver, the Dunbar Community Centre offers diverse programming, including pottery, preschool, and squash court rentals. There’s also a dance studio, a kitchen, and a couple of multipurpose rooms that can be rented.
You can also inquire in this community centre about hosting a birthday party for your little one. The kitchen, party room, and one hour of supervised gym time are all part of the amenities that you’ll pay for.
Pro tip: Be sure to check the operating hours. If you’re looking to visit a community centre late at night, you might need to head over to Kitsilano or explore another community centre, as this one tends to close a bit earlier compared to others.
Trout Lake Community Centre
Address: 3360 Victoria Drive Vancouver, BC V5N 4M4
Phone: +1 604 257 6955
Operating Hours:
Monday – Friday 9 AM – 8:45 PM
Saturday – Sunday 8 AM – 3:45 PM
The Trout Lake Community Centre first opened in 1963 and was revitalized in 2012. It has a well-staffed fitness centre, an ice rink originally designed as a training site for the 2010 Olympic Games, and a gymnasium available for rent on various occasions.
Aside from those, you can enjoy access to an art studio, a preschool, and two multipurpose rooms. The surrounding area is equally inviting for leisurely strolls, thanks to the presence of the beautiful John Hendry Park and nearby Trout Lake.
Pro tip: The community center operates a Program Cost Assistance initiative, enabling those facing financial constraints to access programs with subsidized support.
To learn more, have a conversation with their Programmer or Community Recreation Supervisor on-site.
False Creek Community Centre
Address: 1318 Cartwright Street Vancouver, BC V6H 3R8
Phone: +1 604 257 6955
Operating Hours:
Monday – Friday 9 AM – 9:30 PM
Saturday – Sunday 9 AM – 4 PM
Smaller compared to other community centres, the False Creek Community Centre still boasts beautiful rooms, a spacious gym, and a number of community programs. They host a variety of classes for pottery, martial arts, music, and dance here, among others.
What sets this community center apart is its emphasis on waterfront sports (kayaking in vancouver) (it’s on Granville Island after all!) For those 19 years and older, there’s the Combo Kayak/SUP Club, while the Kayak Club and Stand Up Paddle Club cater to those aged 13 and above.
With expert instructors and the sheltered waters of Alder Bay, beginners seeking to grasp the fundamentals and build the confidence to paddle will find this experience just right.
Pro tip: If you’re looking for rooms to rent, they have four meeting rooms and three large rooms for rent.
