Mayor Ken Sim announces vision for 2027-2030 Capital Plan

VANCOUVER Mayor Ken Sim on Wednesday announced additional details of an upcoming motion that outlines key priorities for the City of Vancouver’s 2027–2030 Capital Plan. If approved, the motion would allocate $400 million in funding towards community centre renewal: the largest single investment of its kind in Vancouver’s history.

The motion identifies the following community centres as priority sites for replacement or large scale reconstruction, based on facility condition and community usage:

* Dunbar Community Centre
* Kerrisdale Community Centre
* Hastings Community Centre
* Roundhouse Community Centre
* Kensington Community Centre

In addition to community centre renewal, the motion outlines proposed investments in core infrastructure and public spaces, including:

* A 25 metre pool at Sunset Park
* Public space improvements in Gastown
* Renewal of the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden pond
* Washroom upgrades at Kitsilano Beach and Second Beach
* A spray park at Burrard View Park
* A turf field at Beaconsfield Park

The motion also advances future planning work to support the next generation of community infrastructure, including:

* Feasibility work for a Vietnamese Cultural Centre
* Exploration of a new 50-metre competition pool in Vancouver
* Continued long-term support for cultural infrastructure renewal projects
* A long-term strategy to address roads and sidewalks built on unstable peat substrate
* Exploration of a new or co-located Collingwood Branch library

The 2027-2030 Capital Plan will be the first delivered under Mayor Sim’s tenure and would be the initial phase in a decade-long effort to renew all of Vancouver community centres.

“Community centres are at the heart of Vancouver’s neighbourhoods, and this is about making sure they reflect the needs of the city we are today,” said Sim. “This is the largest investment in community centres in Vancouver’s history. It will go a long way toward addressing the gaps that have built up over time and will help deliver better facilities for communities across the city.”

These investments would only represent a portion of the overall 2027-2030 Capital Plan, and would build on previously advanced initiatives, including the redevelopment of Britannia Community Centre, the replacement of Kitsilano Pool, and the $104M allocated to upgrade Vancouver’s roads and sidewalks.

Over the course of this term in office, Sim and Council have prioritized addressing Vancouver’s longstanding infrastructure deficit. This has included a dedicated 1% levy, with funds going directly towards infrastructure renewal.

“Vancouver is growing, and our infrastructure needs to keep pace,” said Sim. “This motion is about setting clear priorities, focusing on the basics, and delivering the facilities and infrastructure people rely on, while planning ahead for what comes next.”

Chronic underinvestment in previous capital plans, led to deteriorating facility conditions and significant inequity between neighbourhoods. A recent Auditor General report found that 72% of Vancouver’s community centres were in poor or very poor condition.

The proposed vision for the 2027-2030 Capital Plan would mark a return to an exclusive focus on areas within the City of Vancouver’s jurisdiction.

“This is about getting back to basics and back to community,” said Sim. “Under previous administrations, Vancouver’s civic facilities were allowed to degrade as resources were focused on areas outside of our responsibilities as a municipality.”

The 2027–2030 Capital Plan will be developed by City staff and brought forward for Council consideration following further analysis and public engagement.