A budget update for the Brentwood Community Centre proved more controversial than just a $7-million rooftop park, as two councillors questioned whether the project should go ahead at all.
Burnaby city council originally approved the $139-million community centre in 2022 as part of a highrise residential development by Grosvenor in the 4600 block of Lougheed Highway, right across from Brentwood mall.
But staff came back this week with a budget update, including some new add-ons for council’s consideration, in particular a $7.3-million “podium park.”
Two councillors, however, said the park was an unnecessary expense and voted against the Brentwood Community Centre as a whole.
Coun. Sav Dhaliwal said he thought the facility was “very poorly designed” as similar facilities usually have more programmable space.
Staff said the eight-level community centre will have an “equal or higher degree of usable community recreation space,” including programmable space and drop-in options.
Dhaliwal also worried that the new facility will not include parking, as the development will be pedestrian focused and built without roads.
Coun. Pietro Calendino said the community at Confederation Park, north of Brentwood, had “a lot of concerns” that the Brentwood Community Centre was being prioritized over Confederation Park.
He said the Confederation Park Community Centre was planned first but was delayed due to cost concerns and design changes. Now the Confederation Park Community Centre project has been put on hold as the city's major civic project money has run out.
“It is unfair to that (Confederation Park) community who has been waiting 12 years, while this community (in) Brentwood, most of the people in those highrises don’t even know that we are planning this.”
Calendino also opposed the rooftop park, as he said it would not be used the whole year due to “inclement weather at least half the year.” He added there would be sufficient green space between the Grosvenor towers.
But Coun. Alison Gu said Burnaby’s playgrounds are all outside.
“Every playground that we have in the city right now is not covered, and they’re still valuable,” Gu said.
She noted Brentwood grew by 900 children between 2016 and 2021, according to the census.
“I think any space that we can create for kids is incredibly important because kids are the future.”
Gu said there is a “desperate need” in Brentwood for community centres.
She noted Burnaby’s money for community amenities came from growth, as the city takes cash from developers in exchange for allowing them to build taller towers.
“I think it’s about time that Brentwood got its fair share,” she said.
Mayor Mike Hurley supported the park and the community centre.
He said northwest Burnaby is currently home to 55,000 people and expects to have 80,000 by 2041.
“This is why we need to plan for the future.”
Council approved the updated $146.3-million budget, including the podium park, over Calendino’s and Dhaliwal’s objections.
The developer expects to begin construction in the first quarter of 2025.
The new 106,000-square-foot community centre will include:
- Double gymnasium and strength training/fitness facility
- Multipurpose rooms, meeting rooms and teaching kitchen
- Childminding and preschool spaces
- Arts, music and creative spaces
- Public art
