Work is about to begin on redevelopment of the Harry Jerome Neighbourhood Lands – a precursor to the eventual rebuild of the City of North Vancouver’s aging rec centre.
The city announced Thursday that they had signed a 99-year lease and issued development permits for Darwin Properties and Sunrise Senior Living to begin work on the first residential building and assisted living facility in the multi-phase project.
Darwin will build two six-storey mid-rises where the decommissioned North Vancouver Lawn Bowling Club now sits.
The lease will put $50 million in the bank for the eventual rebuild of the $180-million Harry Jerome Community Recreation Centre.
“Council is committed to advancing the city as a people-oriented community and delivering infrastructure that supports their health and well-being,” said Mayor Linda Buchanan in the release. “A tremendous amount of work has been done to move this project forward. Today’s announcement represents a significant milestone for the city and it is exciting that it brings us one step closer in the delivery of the future Harry Jerome Community Recreation Centre.”
Construction on the 113-unit rental building is expected to start early in 2021 with the 100-unit assisted living building to follow later in the year, according to the city.
Council voted in 2018 for the precinct to be redeveloped to include roughly 800 units of housing in one 30-storey tower and one 26-storey tower as well as three six-storey buildings and one five-storey building between 21st and 23rd streets along Lonsdale Avenue. At the time, it was expected to generate $183 million in revenues for the city.
In a bid to save on up-front capital costs and longer-term operating costs, council voted in March to scale back the rec centre project, reducing the size of the rec centre’s pool from 50 to 25 metres, and eliminate curling from the facility altogether. The city is targeting summer 2022 for construction for the rec centre.
The Lawn Bowling Club is moving to a new facility with artificial greens and a clubhouse on 23rd Street at St. Andrews Avenue.
