New Westminster, BC – The City of New Westminster is excited to announce the completion of the Queen’s Park Sportsplex. The new 12,000 square foot multi-sport facility was constructed following the collapse of the Queen’s Park Arenex in 2016. The net zero carbon facility is the first of its kind for the City of New Westminster and is situated in Queen’s Park adjacent to the stadium, arena, and skatepark.

While the new building has been custom designed to accommodate all the activities previously offered at the Arenex, including gymnastics, trampoline, ball hockey, badminton, volleyball, basketball, pickleball and other indoor sports, the opening of the facility will be slow and gradual as a result of COVID-19. The unique facility requirements for gymnastics and trampoline programs has limited the City’s ability to offer a full complement of lessons and programs since 2016. As such, gymnastics and trampoline will be given initial priority in the Sportsplex until safety restrictions allow for other activities to be offered.  The popular preschool playtime program, Motoring Munchkins, will also be offered in the first phase of programming.

“I’m thrilled that the Queen’s Park Sportsplex is now complete and ready to welcome participants back to many of the programs that were displaced after the loss of the Arenex,” said Mayor Jonathan X. Coté. “This new and improved facility not only provides an enhanced program space for a variety of activities, it has also been constructed using advanced green building principles making it the first City-owned net zero carbon facility.”

Environmental sustainability and energy efficiency were driving principles in the construction of the new facility. The building is equipped with features such as high performance passive heating and cooling units, and solar panels installed on the roof. Additionally, reclaimed timbers from the old Arenex were incorporated into the design of the Sportsplex.

To ensure participant safety, gymnastics and trampoline programs will adhere to Via Sport return-to-sport guidelines and approved safety plans. This will include health checks for participants, the wearing of masks by staff, enhanced cleaning protocols and equipment disinfection, and limited numbers of programs running at one time. Access into the Sportsplex will be limited to program participants only.

“While we are very pleased that new Queen’s Park Sportsplex is now complete, we are also disappointed that we are unable to invite everyone into the space the way we would like,” said Dean Gibson, Director of Parks and Recreation. “When the time allows, we look forward to giving this fantastic recreation facility the public opening and celebration it deserves.”

Located outside the Sportsplex will be a unique public plaza featuring arbutus trees and public art that recalls the history of the Queen’s Park Zoo. In addition to supporting day-to-day activities with seating areas, bicycle parking, natural play elements and a basketball half court, this multi-purpose space is also equipped to host outdoor special events.

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Contact:

Jay Young
Manager, Recreation Services
City of New Westminster
604-777-5122 or