May 13, 2024

Burnaby has opened the new 8,500 square-metre (92,000-square-foot) Rosemary Brown Recreation Centre featuring two NHL-sized rinks, meeting and multi-purpose rooms.

“This new facility is the first wave of new recreation centres in Burnaby coming in the next five to 10 years,” said Burnaby Mayor Mike Hurley. “This will be a focal point for the community in south Burnaby.”

The centre is named after local politician and social justice champion, Rosemary Brown, the first Black woman elected to a provincial legislature in Canada. She was elected in 1972, and served in the B.C. Legislature until 1986, including two terms as the member of the legislature for the Burnaby-Edmonds riding.

Her daughter, Cleta Brown, called the new facility “gorgeous,” and said “it will bring joy and pride to Burnaby sports teams, families, children and seniors.”  She added her mother “believed in community centres” and their contribution to “health, fitness and quality of life.”

“We are excited to have this new sport venue in Burnaby,” said Robyn Hughes, Director of Sport Burnaby. “This adds to our list of sport hosting locations in Burnaby and we look forward to staging the 2024 Pat Quinn Classic hockey tournament at this venue in December.”   Accessibility is a key feature of the new rinks and dressing rooms and both sheets are ready for para ice hockey. “We see exciting possibilities for hosting parasport events in partnership with the City of Burnaby,” adds Hughes.

In addition to the two rinks with more than 400 spectator seats combined for the two arenas, the Rosemary Brown Recreation Centre includes a skate shop, concession, outdoor rooftop patio, universal gender-neutral and accessible washrooms, barrier-free entrance and electric vehicle charging stalls.

The facility is located at 10th Avenue and 18th Street in the Edmonds neighbourhood in south Burnaby.

 

Opening ceremony photos: Sam Corea

Facility Photos: Vision Event Photography Inc.