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.
Learn About the Project
The Student 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 Student Recreation Centre North will also be constructed to a LEED Gold green building standard.
Construction will begin in 2022 with an anticipated completion in late 2024. The estimated cost is $67.5 million including contributions from Alma Mater Society (AMS) student fees, donors, and UBC.
View the Facility
Floor Plans & Use of Space
See how the Student 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.
Support the Project
Athletics and Recreation is a vital part of UBC campus life and culture. It provides current students, staff, faculty, alumni and community members a place to support lifelong health and wellbeing. The UBC Athletics and Recreation department is pleased to announce a game changing capital campaign project, Activate UBC.
With support from UBC leadership and students we are endeavoring to raise $5,000,000 to complete the funding of the new Student Recreation Centre North on campus. Supporters of Activate UBC will help create a new activity and fitness centre that offers 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.
In 2017, the UBC student body, via the Alma Mater Society, pledged their financial support with a donation of $22.5 million dollars towards this project. This new 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. The Student 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!
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 Student Recreation Centre North to campus.
Construction & Campus Impacts
Beginning July 2022, preparations for the construction of the Student Recreation Centre North will begin to impact the area between the UBC Life Building and Brock Commons. Visitors to this area should be aware that fencing for the construction site may affect pedestrian pathways and plan for alternate paths of travel.
