4 projects driving Burnaby’s massive civic building program

Major municipal projects in Burnaby have surpassed 50% completion as the city advances what it describes as the largest capital construction program in its history, with combined estimated costs exceeding $900 million.

The projects—a recreation complex with an Olympic-sized pool and NHL-sized arena, an expanded community centre and library, a replacement theatre, and a new public safety building—represent what the city calls a once-in-a-generation initiative to replace aging facilities and accommodate population growth.

“We’re delivering on our promise to provide Burnaby residents with recreation, arts and public safety facilities,” Mayor Mike Hurley said in a statement. “With these facilities, we’re investing in the infrastructure our growing city needs, to serve not only today’s generation but for generations to come.”

The Burnaby Lake Recreation Complex

Slated to open in spring 2027, the Burnaby Lake Recreation Complex will house the city’s first 10‑lane, 50‑metre Olympic‑sized pool and an NHL‑sized arena, positioning it as one of the largest aquatic facilities in Western Canada. The facility has an estimated project cost of about $252.9 million under a design–build contract led by Ventana Construction Corporation, which assumed the role after council shifted away from the original HCMA design to better control escalating costs. The redesign was carried out by Architecture49. The project will support community recreation, competitive sport and provincial events.​

The Cameron Community Centre and Library project

Located in the Lougheed Town Centre neighbourhood, the new Cameron Community Centre and Library will be roughly four times larger than the existing facility and include an aquatic centre, expanded library, double gymnasium, fitness studios, multi‑purpose spaces and an indoor running track. The green building will feature Burnaby’s first large‑scale green roof along with rooftop solar panels, and is proceeding under a construction contract with Graham Construction & Engineering LP within an approved construction budget of about $267 million. Completion is targeted for 2028, with work advancing in phases to replace aging community amenities while keeping key services available to local residents

The James Cowan Theatre Replacement Project

As part of the Shadbolt Centre for the Arts, the James Cowan Theatre redevelopment will deliver a modern, accessible, professional‑grade main stage and is expected to open to the public in 2027, replacing the original 1940s‑era theatre with a 38,000‑square‑foot facility configured to maximize arts programming. The rebuild, which is being executed by design-builder Ledcor, has an approved budget of about $55 million and will provide retractable seating for 364, improved backstage support spaces, three studios and significantly enhanced accessibility while maintaining the Shadbolt Centre’s role as Burnaby’s primary professional multi‑use presentation venue.

Community Safety Building

This purpose‑built Community Safety Building is intended to strengthen emergency response and public safety services and will replace the original Burnaby RCMP detachment on Norland Avenue, which dates back to 1967. Construction is starting in 2024 with opening targeted for 2027, and the project is reported as a more‑than‑$200‑million investment. It is being delivered through an integrated project delivery model with the Safe Community Partners team. The team consists of contractors Kinetic Construction Ltd., architects Johnston Davidson Architecture Inc., structural engineers RJC, mechanical engineers MCW Consulting Ltd., civil and electrical engineers WSP Canada Inc., mechanical contractors Altac Mechanical Inc., and electrical contractors Canem Systems Ltd. The new detachment will consolidate RCMP operations in a modern, seismically resilient facility designed to support Burnaby’s policing and community safety needs for decades to come.