Wesgroup

The Community Centre at River District remains a critical priority for Wesgroup and the City of Vancouver.

In 2022, Wesgroup assumed the responsibility of delivering the community centre – budgeted at $47 million. The estimated cost of delivery today is close to $60 million, due largely to an unprecedented increase in construction costs.

More importantly, additional Metro Vancouver Development Cost Charges introduced in 2023 have added nearly $70 million in costs to the masterplan not considered when the sources of funding for the community centre were negotiated, after scope and cost was determined by Wesgroup and the City in 2022.

Wesgroup and Staff have designed the interior space and progressed through the City’s Urban Design Panel, spending almost $3 million in costs to date.

Wesgroup and City Staff are working on the community centre daily and believe we soon will have a collective solution to this existing funding gap, which will get this critical community project back on track.

In spite of the funding gap, Wesgroup has been working hard on a parallel process with expert consultants to advance the design and submit detailed permits for the community centre so we’re ready to go once this issue is resolved. We’re almost there.

While future transit improvements may help reduce reliance on vehicles over time, current market expectations and City requirements still call for a meaningful amount of parking to support residents and local businesses today.

Wesgroup is exploring opportunities to locate parking above grade on its remaining parcels as a way to support efficient construction and keep projects moving forward. By reducing the amount of underground excavation required, this approach reduces construction complexity and costs, to support continued masterplan delivery, including housing, amenities, and community-serving spaces envisioned for River District.

Each parcel will continue to be evaluated individually, with above-grade parking considered where it can be integrated thoughtfully into the building design. In these locations, the building footprints allow parking levels to be fully internalized, maintaining active frontages and a walkable streetscape along surrounding roads and public spaces.

Wesgroup is working closely with the City of Vancouver on a plan to address the standing water currently present at Parcel 11. Winter conditions have made it challenging to drain and fill the excavation area; however, the team is preparing to move ahead with this work as weather conditions improve.

Site work is expected to resume in the spring, when conditions allow the excavation to be safely drained and filled so that the site can be stabilized and prepared for future development.

River District was designed with a substantial amount of underground parking to support residents, visitors, and businesses. In fact, overall parking supply in the community exceeds the minimum requirements set by the City of Vancouver. This provides flexibility and helps meet current mobility needs while the area continues to grow.

Underground parking is available throughout the community, including within River District and the River District Town Centre. We encourage residents and visitors to make use of these underground facilities, which are designed to provide convenient access while helping keep streets and surface areas welcoming and pedestrian-friendly.

River District is a large-scale, master-planned community that will continue to evolve over time. As with many projects of this scale, development is phased to align with market conditions, and community needs.

Based on current planning, full buildout is anticipated to be completed within the next 20 years. This long-term horizon allows for steady delivery of housing, amenities, public spaces, and local services, supporting a complete and vibrant community as it grows.

If you would like to receive planning and engagement updates from Wesgroup, please email us at info@eastfraserlands.ca (mailto:info@eastfraserlands.ca) to be added to our mailing list.