If you're new to Vancouver, you're probably looking to meet friends and have fun while you're here. It's a good idea to do what you love – use your hobbies and interests as a starting point to meet like-minded friends. There are a number of community centres in Vancouver that offer classes and programs where you can meet new people.

To find a community centre near your home, visit Vancouver.ca. You can also pick up free brochures at any community centre that will list all their programs and services, along with schedules and pricing.


How Much Will it Cost to Enroll in a Class?

That depends! You will have to pay to enroll in most classes at a community centre - anywhere from about $5 to a few hundred dollars. Usually, drop-in fitness classes are between $5 and $15 dollars. A two-month Spanish class that meets once a week will be around $200, and an ice skating class will be $7 for one class, or seven for about $38. .



Common Activities and Classes

Each centre offers some similar activities, and you can expect the following at most Vancouver community centres:

    › Swimming pool
    › Fitness centre
    › Ice rink
    › Playground
    › Various arts and sports classes and lessons

Some community centres will also have a:

    › Whirlpool
    › Sauna
    › Fitness equipment rentals
    › Racquetball and tennis courts



List of Community Centres by Activities

What Do You Want to Do?

› Where to go if you want Outdoor Activities: Kitsilano War Memorial Community Centre
2690 Larch Street - Vancouver BC

Outdoor programs at Kits Community Centre include co-ed beach volleyball, beach tennis and outdoor fitness boot camps. Programs take place at Kits beach and at various parks and beaches around Vancouver.



› Where to go if you want Arts Activities: The Roundhouse
181 Roundhouse Mews - Downtown Vancouver

Because the Roundhouse is right in the heart of Yaletown, it is often frequented by international students. The Roundhouse is heavy on artistic programs, such as aerial and acrobatic dance, water colour painting, native art carving, and digital photography.



› Where to go if you want Educational Activities : The Britannia Community Services Centre
1661 Napier Street - East Vancouver BC

The Britannia Centre opened in 1976 and is a central part of the community-focused Commercial Drive area. The Britannia Centre offers a number of different recreational courses and programs, and also has many educational and literacy programs. If you want to brush up on your English skills or take high school equivalency classes, join the many students who use its free or cheap resources. There is also a fitness centre, public library, pool and ice rink.



› Where to go if you want Social Recreation Events: Dunbar Community Centre
4747 Dunbar Street - Vancouver BC

Dunbar Community Centre has a variety of social recreation events, such as book clubs, social ballroom lessons, and group walks around the neighbourhood. Dunbar Community Centre also has six tennis courts to play on, but you must reserve as they fill up fast in the spring and summer.



› Where to go if you want Cooking Classes: Mount Pleasant Community Centre
#1 Kingsway - East Vancouver BC

Mount Pleasant Community Centre is known for its comprehensive listing of Vancouver cooking classes, including cupcake making, barbecue grilling, healthy cooking on a budget, and knife skills workshops.



› Where to go if you want Swimming Lessons/Water Activities: Killarney Community Centre
6260 Killarney Street - Vancouver BC

Killarney has adult swimming lessons - either group, private or semi-private, and they specialize in programs for the nervous adult swimmer. You can also take your lifeguard training here. Families often come to Killarney as it offers an ozone-treated pool, waterslide, lazy river, two lap pools, a whirlpool and steam room. Beware, it is busier on Saturdays and Sundays due to children's birthday parties.

Vancouver Community Centres (Clickable map)