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Lougheed mall to temporarily house Burnaby library and rec centre

The mall's former H&M location will be turned into a community centre with library services, seniors' spaces, artist and theatre programming, and book and garden clubs.

Lougheed Town Centre will soon be (temporarily) home to a library and civic community centre.

The City of Burnaby has officially announced it will temporarily move the Cameron Community Centre and Library to the mall’s old H&M space, as the community centre undergoes a massive redevelopment at 9523 Cameron St.

The city proposed to lease and remodel the 17,000-square-foot space on the lower level of the mall at 9855 Austin Ave., according to the city’s request for proposal (RFP) for architectural consulting.

The total project budget, according to the RFP is $2.7 million. The RFP’s timeline had the temporary community centre opening by the end of July 2023, but the city’s website now states an opening of fall 2023.

The library at Lougheed will include a variety of programming activities carried over from its main location, including:

  • library services
  • seniors’ movement and social spaces
  • dance and music programs for all ages
  • health-focused programs
  • artist and theatre groups
  • arts, crafts, cards and games
  • book and garden clubs

Gym and sport programs will not be moved to Lougheed.

The current community centre and library, which has been open for almost 40 years according to the city, will be demolished and redeveloped beginning in 2023.

The rec centre will be replaced with a $252-million facility including a new library, pool, gym with two full-sized basketball courts, weight room with cardio facilities, an indoor running track, fitness studios, dedicated youth and seniors’ spaces, child-minding and play areas and a civic plaza.

For more information, see the city’s website.