An opening date could soon be announced for the completed but still unopened lelǝḿ community centre.
lelǝḿ is an 8.7 hectare development on the eastern edge of UBC’s campus with apartment buildings, townhomes, shops, a daycare, and an unused community centre that residents have eagerly been waiting for.
Construction was completed in summer 2024 and a grand opening was initially scheduled for July 18 of that year, but that didn’t end up happening for reasons that have yet to be disclosed.
The centre, located at 5490 Shortcut Road and within the lelǝḿ development, remains unopened and unused.
The ongoing delay, now at 16-months, has been due to the lack of a qualified operator for the centre, a spokesperson from the Ministry of Housing and Municipal Affairs told The Campus Resident last June. Once an operator is found an opening day will be announced, the spokesperson added.
It appears that day is coming closer.
“The UEL (University Endowment Lands) is currently negotiating with a potential operator for the lelǝḿ Community Centre,” said Mitch Patterson, Senior Planner at the UEL. “Once this agreement has been finalized it will be announced to the community.”
When it opens, the centre will hold 15,000 square feet of space for the public to use, including a fitness centre, meeting spaces, and other areas for members of the public to gather. lelǝḿ residents and non-residents alike will be able to use the facility.
“Primary services will focus on a fitness centre, studio-based fitness classes such as yoga and step, recreational sports, camps, special events, and any other programming as requested or needed by the community,” the Ministry of Housing and Municipal Affairs spokesperson said. There will also be space available for community events or event rental.
New daycare nearly at capacity
Adjacent to the community centre, a new daycare has opened, providing much-needed services for the community.
Operated by Core Education & Fine Arts (CEFA) Early Learning, CEFA–UBC is a private 5,000 square foot facility offering 100 childcare spaces. It opened in September this year.
capacity. (Photo: Emmanuel Samoglou)
CEFA-UBC’s principal told The Campus Resident the school is running at nearly full capacity, with only one parttime space currently available. It is located at 2620 Acadia Road.
AMIE BERNAERDT IS A THIRD YEAR STUDENT AT UBC, MAJORING IN CREATIVE WRITING AND ANTHROPOLOGY. SHE LIVES IN WESBROOK PLACE.