Church will remain as a Community Center

After more than a year of discussions, community stakeholders, Councillors and city planners see a new vision for the Church buildings keeping both daycare and preschool services in Pemberton Heights. 

The District of North Vancouver has purchased the United Church property on 22nd Avenue which will allow both the daycare and the preschool to continue operations.

A formal announcement by the district will be forthcoming but the community is welcome to attend at The Corner Stone at 7pm on May 7 to thank the district for their support.

“This is a big win for the neighbourhood because now for the first time we actually have something that we can hope to call a community center,” says Colin Metcalfe, President, Pemberton Heights Community Association. “We are about 700 plus homes and there really isn’t anything else for us to call a community center. With this deal we have something that our kids can enjoy for years to come.”

Councillors Doug Mackay-Dunn and Lisa Muri were  early supporters in the community’s efforts along with Brian Bydwell and Ryan Malcolm in the District’s Planning office.

“The real credit should be given to Colin [Metcalfe] and the Pemberton Heights Community Association,” says Mackay-Dunn.  “Pemberton Heights and everyone on the west side is under-served. At the very the least they need something that they can use for a community meeting place. The church has done that for decades. To see that lost would be a significant loss to the community.”
Metcalfe was quick to give credit to other stakeholders and said that this was a real group effort by many members of the community including Herman Mah, Vice President PCHA , Mary Charleson formerly from the Parent Advisory Council, Shawna Ready, chair of the Mums Group and many others.

“This has really been a collaborative effort amongst the other groups within the neighbourhood. From the PAC to the Mums Group and others,”  says Metcalfe. “This has really been a neighbourhood effort.”

Metcalfe mentioned that the District will move forward with the daycare and the preschool and will continue to work with the district on establishing the community’s goals for the site. The PHCA will facilitate the discussions between the neighbourhood and the district and set up a series of meetings to discuss where to go from here.

“At the end of the day it’s no longer a church, it’s been decommissioned and now it’s just a building,” says Mackay-Dunn. “You have to get the best and highest use out of the building, which is to serve the community.  What the district will be doing now is reaching out to the Pemberton Heights Community Association and the community to figure out the best use.”