Rosemary Brown Recreation Centre Grand Opening Celebration

Sources: City of Burnaby, Burnaby Now

The City of Burnaby is excited to announce the grand opening of the Rosemary Brown Recreation Centre on Saturday, May 11, inviting the community to join in the celebration.

“We are thrilled to welcome the Burnaby community to the brand new Rosemary Brown Recreation Centre, a stunning facility that will serve our community for years to come,” said Mayor Mike Hurley. “Named in honour of one of Burnaby’s pioneering champions of human rights, we’re deeply honoured to have her family in attendance for this special event.”

The festivities will kick off at noon and continue until 4 pm at the Rosemary Brown Recreation Centre in South Burnaby. Mayor Mike Hurley and Councillor Sav Dhaliwal will provide a brief introduction, followed by remarks from local BC artist Jill Anholt, who will speak about her public art piece, Gliding Edge. Cleta Brown, Rosemary Brown’s daughter, will also share a few words and participate in the ceremonial ribbon cutting.

Attendees can look forward to free, family-friendly activities including face painting, games, roving entertainment, and music, along with food trucks and exhibitions by local community organizations. For those interested in hitting the ice, there will be a Toonie Try It Skate (pre-registration required starting May 9 for Burnaby residents and May 10 for non-residents). Please note that skate rentals are limited, so bringing your own skates is recommended.

To minimize traffic congestion, visitors are encouraged to use public transit, cycle, or walk to the event as parking will be limited.

About Rosemary Brown

The Rosemary Brown Recreation Centre is named in honour of Rosemary Brown, a trailblazing politician and social justice advocate.

Rosemary Brown (1930-2003) was a pioneering politician and community leader known for her tireless efforts to combat discrimination against women and people of colour. As a prominent Burnaby MLA from 1979 to 1986, she made history as the first Black woman elected to a provincial legislature in Canada.

About Rosemary Brown Recreation Centre

Located in the Edmonds neighbourhood at 10th Avenue and 18th Street, this impressive 92,000-square-foot facility boasts two NHL-sized rinks, a skate shop, a concession area, meeting and multi-purpose rooms, warm-side arena viewing, an outdoor rooftop patio, and universal gender-neutral washrooms.

Designed with sustainability in mind, the centre incorporates features to minimize its environmental impact, including water conservation strategies and sustainable design elements. North-facing windows provide ample natural light, creating a welcoming atmosphere. Additionally, electric vehicle charging stalls and bicycle parking are available for visitors, promoting eco-friendly transportation options.

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