Recreation Centre North

With Support from the Alma Mater Society

Project Team

Architect
SHAPE Architecture

Structural
WSP Canada Group Ltd.

Mechanical
The AME Consulting Group Ltd.

Electrical
PBX Engineering Ltd.

Civil
InterCAD Services Ltd.

Code
GHL Consultants

Traffic
Bunt & Associates

Construction Manager
ETRO Construction

Landscape Architect
PFS Studio

Envelope
LDR Engineering Group

LEED
Integral Group

Project Manager
UBC Properties Trust

Activate UBC: Recreation Centre North

The project received conditional Board 3 approval from the UBC Board of Governors on June 29, 2022. The new facility will provide much needed recreation space including a state of the art fitness centre, three gymnasiums, an indoor track, and many other amenities.

Planning for a new recreation centre emerged from the UBC GamePlan: 20-year Recreation and Athletics Facilities Strategy, which involved public consultation and was approved by the Board of Governors in April 2017. The strategy supports UBC’s commitment to wellbeing by meeting a growing need for recreational fitness and gymnasium space.

Latest Updates

Rec North Now Open

June 24, 2025

UBC’s new home for recreation, Rec North, officially opens on Wednesday, July 2 at 11am.

Preparing for Your First Visit to the Rec North Fitness Centre

June 19, 2025

Get to know the new fitness centre and plan out your first workout once Rec North opens!

🏀 Know Before You Go: Rec North Gymnasiums 🏐

New to drop-in gym sports at Rec North? Here’s your quick guide:
📝 How to sign in for drop-in games
📍 Where to go once you arrive
💡 Helpful tips to make your first visit smooth and fun

Whether you`re shooting hoops, bumping volleyballs, or just exploring, you’ll be ready to jump in and play.
#ubc #ubcrec #activateubc

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Open post by ubcrec with ID 18015374483740752
🏀 Know Before You Go: Rec North Gymnasiums 🏐 New to drop-in gym sports at Rec North? Here’s your quick guide: 📝 How to sign in for drop-in games 📍 Where to go once you arrive 💡 Helpful tips to make your first visit smooth and fun Whether you're shooting hoops, bumping volleyballs, or just exploring, you’ll be ready to jump in and play. #ubc #ubcrec #activateubc

🏃‍♀️ Know Before You Go: Rec North Indoor Track 🏃‍♂️
Ready to hit the track? Here’s your quick intro to the Rec North Indoor Track!

📍Where to find it inside the facility
🛎️ How to check in with ease
💡 Helpful tips to make your first lap a breeze

Whether you`re walking, jogging, or sprinting, you’ll be set to hit the track with confidence.
#ubc #ubcrec #activateubc

166 0
Open post by ubcrec with ID 18060307625517696
🏃‍♀️ Know Before You Go: Rec North Indoor Track 🏃‍♂️ Ready to hit the track? Here’s your quick intro to the Rec North Indoor Track! 📍Where to find it inside the facility 🛎️ How to check in with ease 💡 Helpful tips to make your first lap a breeze Whether you're walking, jogging, or sprinting, you’ll be set to hit the track with confidence. #ubc #ubcrec #activateubc

Learn About the Project

The Recreation Centre North facility will be built on the large plaza space situated immediately north of the UBC Life Building (formerly the Student Union Building) and at the western end of Student Union Boulevard. Located at the heart of UBC’s Vancouver campus, the building will include an outdoor walkway corridor at ground level to allow foot traffic to readily flow through the area.

The building is designed by SHAPE Architecture and features an indoor floor area of 101,000 square feet spread over four levels, including three gymnasium courts; an indoor run, roll, walk track; cardio and weightlifting areas; multipurpose rooms; universal and gender-specific change areas; and administrative offices. The Recreation Centre North will also be constructed to a LEED Gold green building standard and is Rick Hansen Foundation Certified.

Construction began in 2022 and was completed in summer 2025. The projet cost is $67.5 million including contributions from UBC, Alma Mater Society (AMS) student fees, and donors.

View the Facility

Floor Plans & Use of Space

See how Recreation Centre North is taking shape by clicking through the floor plans below. Click on the images below to see an overview of each floor as well as see how feedback from previous surveys and consultation have informed the planning of this new facility.

  • Entry level & primary access from exterior
  • Three court gymnasium & second level of fitness area
  • Run, roll, walk track (open to gym courts below) & third level of fitness area
  • Fourth level of fitness area
    Fourth level of fitness area

Activate UBC | Help Build Rec North

Thank you to supporters of the Activate UBC campaign that is helping to build Recreation Centre North.

This new activity and fitness centre will provide the UBC community a space to connect and get moving. The new building will house state-of-the-art exercise opportunities including three full gymnasiums courts, strength and cardio equipment, functional training and multipurpose spaces, running track and more. This facility will support our UBC student’s fitness and wellbeing goals and will provide them a space to prioritize their mental and physical health while they are pursuing their academic achievements. Recreation Centre North will add a much needed 41,500 square feet of fitness and activity space providing UBC students, staff and community members the room to move!

Builders

$1000 or more

Abdulaziz Al-Fahim, PhD
Benevity
Bryan Chang
Vicky Ru-Yun Cheng
Janet & Nils Clarke
Dr. Bryce Ford and Family
Nestor & Lindsey Korchinsky
Jim Leong
Hongye Keane Liu

George Morfitt
Atila & Gillian Ozkaplan
Joanie Pilcher
Yumin Benjamin Qiu
Alexander Remtulla
Edward Soorany
Leo Tam
Ken Teskey
Dandan Zhang

Contributors

$50-$999

Tiffany & Brian Johns
Michael Brewer
Bryan Chang
Erin Connors
Cybergrants

Suna Jung
Alexandra Kroetsch
Krish Maharaj, PhD
Kim Mayes
David Medilek

Alyssa Reyes
Mrigank Sharma and Family
Ashley Shepherd
Kate & Darren Thomson
Brian White


With support from UBC leadership and students we are endeavoring to raise $5,000,000 to complete the funding of the new Recreation Centre North on campus. 

  • Gifts of $1,000 (or a pledge of $84 per month for 12 months) or more will be recognized on the recreation centre donor wall that will also honour the history of recreation and intramurals.
  • All gifts over $50 will be recognized digitally on recreation.ubc.ca.
Download a PDF to learn more about how you can get involved with Activate UBC.

The Activate UBC campaign is the final piece of the puzzle that will complete the funding to make this vision of a new fitness and activity centre a reality. We need your support today more than ever to realize our goals of bringing UBC the brand new, significantly expanded Recreation Centre North to campus.