West Vancouver studies replacement for aging ice arena and seniors centre
The district is seeking consultants to advise on replacing the 60-year-old ice rink and 46-year-old seniors facility, with $100,000 budgeted for studies.
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West Vancouver is moving forward with plans to replace two of its most-used facilities: the 60-year-old West Vancouver Ice Arena and the 46-year-old Seniors' Activity Centre.
The municipality is seeking consultants to advise council on replacement options. The district has budgeted $100,000 for the studies, with completed reports expected within about four months of consulting firms being hired.
The Ice Arena opened in 1966 — the year Jean Beliveau and the Montreal Canadiens won the Stanley Cup. From August to June, the facility is booked virtually all of the time from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m., according to district staff.
Enhance West Van, the non-profit that oversees the community's main recreational facilities, came forward in 2025 with a request for the district to begin developing plans for a multi-sheet replacement.
After studying the needs of the 4,700 current members and the future capacity of the Seniors' Activity Centre, the non-profit's roundtable recommended replacing the facility last year.
"Our programs are at capacity in all of our areas, specifically our seniors' programs and our ice arena programs that we run," said Alison Gelz, senior manager of community services for the district. "Users need to travel outside of West Vancouver or off the North Shore to access additional ice time."
The district's civic site between 21st and 22nd Streets remains the ideal location for a new Seniors' Activity Centre, though exactly where on the land it should be located will require a site review. A multi-sheet ice rink's location in the community is also unknown — consultants will have to come up with a list of feasible locations.
Councillor Linda Watt expressed hope for outside funding. "I believe we have the lowest ice per capita ratio in the entire country. So I certainly hope we can find donations and the necessary funds for these important works," she said.
Mayor Mark Sager said he hopes the process moves quickly. "I'm hoping this doesn't take forever and we can get on with making the community's dream a reality."