The City of Burnaby is laying the groundwork for a transformative future at Central Park, beginning with an exciting redevelopment of the park's urban edge, known as "The Triangle." Phase 1 of the Central Park Master Plan (CPMP) promises to deliver a vibrant, welcoming community hub, blending play, culture, and nature right at the heart of Metrotown’s growing downtown core.

Reimagining Central Park’s Urban Gateway

Central Park has long been a green jewel in Burnaby’s landscape. Now, with increasing density and recreation demand in Metrotown, the City is embarking on a carefully phased master plan to guide improvements for decades to come.

Phase 1 focuses on the eastern entrance at Kingsway and Patterson Avenue — a bustling intersection served by Patterson SkyTrain Station. This critical "gateway" area, called The Triangle, is envisioned as a cornerstone of a larger linear park system along the BC Parkway. It will seamlessly connect the community to green spaces, the SkyTrain, and beyond.

The City’s goals for Phase 1 are ambitious yet deeply rooted in community needs: a vibrant recreation and cultural hub that enhances access, preserves the park’s beloved trees and historical features, and addresses long-standing concerns like visibility, safety, and noise management.

What's Coming to Central Park: Key Features of Phase 1

The Phase 1 plan includes several standout elements that reflect public input:

• A Destination Playground: Designed for all ages and abilities, this one-of-a-kind playground will feature popular amenities like swings, slides, ziplines, and accessible sand and water play areas.

• Community Plaza and Facilities: New washrooms and a concession building will support year-round events, providing clean, safe, and welcoming amenities.

• Festival Space and Central Lawn: A flexible open space will accommodate community gatherings, performances, and leisure activities.

• Enhanced Access and Safety: Improved pathways will connect Patterson Station with the park’s trail system, while better lighting and clear sightlines will promote security at all hours.

• Tree Protection and Heritage Preservation: Historical elements like the Jubilee Grove Arch and significant trees will be preserved, ensuring that the park’s natural legacy continues for future generations.

*Photo by City of Burnaby

*Photo by City of Burnaby

Shaped by the Community: What Residents Said

Extensive public consultation shaped the vision for Phase 1. Through open houses, online surveys, school workshops, and pop-up events, residents voiced their priorities:

• Top Priorities: Clean and accessible restrooms, seating and picnic areas, more lighting, and green space preservation topped the list.

• Playground Wishes: Families wanted adventurous, inclusive play features — and emphasized the importance of quieter zones and sensory-friendly spaces.

• Climate Action Matters: Respondents called for protecting trees, boosting biodiversity, and offering more shaded areas to combat rising summer heat.

• Art and Identity: Residents showed strong support for interactive public art, including Indigenous artworks and seasonal floral installations that reflect Burnaby’s diverse culture.

• Keeping Community Assets: Many stressed the importance of retaining the existing baseball diamond and suggested adding a fenced dog park.

Feedback also highlighted the need for safer active transportation routes, reduced noise impacts from SkyTrain and Kingsway, and improved security measures like additional lighting and trimmed vegetation.

Timeline and Next Steps

Phase 1 of the Central Park Master Plan is already well underway:

• Public consultation and early design stages wrapped up in 2024.

• Final design concepts will be reviewed by Burnaby City Council in Spring 2025.

• Construction is scheduled to begin in 2025, with the first improvements aiming to transform Central Park into an outdoor living room for Burnaby’s evolving downtown.

Looking ahead, Phase 2 — covering the broader park area, including Swangard Stadium and the outdoor pool — will kick off planning later in 2025. Together, these phases will culminate in a comprehensive Master Plan, setting the stage for Central Park’s next century.

A Greener, More Connected Burnaby

Burnaby’s commitment to balancing recreation, culture, and environmental stewardship shines through the Central Park Master Plan. As Metrotown grows upward and outward, the reimagined park promises to remain a vibrant heart of the community — a place for families, festivals, and future memories.

Curious how this redevelopment could shape the future of Central Park and Metrotown? We’re keeping a close eye on projects like this so our clients always stay informed. Want to be one of them?

Burnaby residents now have a brand-new, year-round venue for outdoor sports and community gatherings. The recently upgraded Jack Crosby Sports Box at Riverway Sports Complex officially opened for public drop-in on April 22, 2024 — offering a dynamic, covered space for a wide variety of activities.

The Riverway Outdoor Covered Sports Box project, which transformed the former Jack Crosby lacrosse box, is part of Burnaby’s broader investment in versatile, all-weather recreational facilities. With modern features and flexible programming, it’s poised to become a favorite gathering spot for athletes and families alike.

A Versatile, Weather-Proof Facility

Located at 8605 Nelson Avenue, the Jack Crosby Sports Box now boasts a large covered roof, secure storage, multi-use hard-court surfaces, and future-ready lighting (expected to be fully operational by summer 2024). Spectators will also enjoy designated seating areas, making it easier than ever to cheer on friends and family.

Designed for a variety of uses, the court is lined for lacrosse, ball hockey, pickleball, badminton, and volleyball. With six dual-use courts available, the Sports Box is adaptable to both casual drop-in games and formal city-run programming.

Importantly, the new covering ensures the space is protected from rain and snow, dramatically expanding the usability of the facility throughout Burnaby’s varied seasons.

*Photos by City of Burnaby

How to Access and Use the Jack Crosby Sports Box

The facility operates under several use categories:

• Public Drop-in: Open from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily for casual, first-come, first-served play.

• Specific Activity Drop-in: Priority is given to sports like pickleball, lacrosse, or ball hockey during scheduled drop-in times.

• Allotment Bookings: City programs and organized leagues reserve evening hours, typically from 6–10 p.m.

Spring evenings (April through June) are especially busy, with all three Burnaby multi-use boxes hosting league play during prime time. Those interested in regular organized games or group bookings are encouraged to consult the Outdoor Multi Use Boxes page for current schedules, or submit a group reservation application directly to the City.

*Photo by City of Burnaby

Community Rules and Player Etiquette

As a non-staffed venue, the Jack Crosby Sports Box relies on users to maintain a respectful and safe environment. Visitors are expected to:

• Wear non-marking shoes and use appropriate equipment.

• Refrain from eating, drinking, smoking, skateboarding, scootering, or cycling on the courts.

• Keep dogs off the courts at all times.

• Rotate courts after each game or 15 minutes of practice when busy.

Pickleball players should also be aware of special court-sharing rules: during public drop-in hours, if another sport arrives and needs space, pickleball use must be consolidated to the three southern courts.

Need gear? Burnaby residents can access portable pickleball nets through WebReg registration, and pick them up from the lockbox system provided.

Reserving Space and Ensuring Safety

Groups interested in reserving the Sports Box must submit a request form — ideally by November 1 for spring/summer or by April 1 for fall/winter seasons. Commercial general liability insurance is required for any official bookings, with options to purchase coverage independently or through a City-recommended broker.

To maintain the quality of the facility, users are encouraged to report maintenance issues or misconduct by calling 604-294-7206.

A New Hub for Sport and Community in Burnaby

The Jack Crosby Sports Box isn’t just an upgraded court — it’s a new community asset. Whether you’re dropping in for a quick pickleball game, participating in a league, or attending a cultural event, this new facility at Riverway Sports Complex offers a flexible and welcoming space for Burnaby residents of all ages.

Curious about how the Jack Crosby Sports Box and other upcoming projects could shape the future of Burnaby recreation? We’re keeping a close eye on every update so our clients always stay informed. Want to be one of them?

Burnaby’s popular Confederation Park has just unveiled an exciting new feature: the Sohen Gill Sports Box, a modern covered multi-sport facility designed to boost recreation opportunities year-round.

Replacing the aging open-air lacrosse box, the Sohen Gill Sports Box officially opened to the public on April 15, 2024, bringing a major upgrade to one of Burnaby’s most beloved parks. Featuring a covered, multi-use court, seating for spectators, and flexible space for a wide variety of activities, the new facility promises to be a vibrant hub for local sports, leisure, and community events.

A Major Upgrade for Confederation Park

Located at 250 Willingdon Avenue, Confederation Park has long been a favorite destination for Burnaby residents. The new Sohen Gill Sports Box represents a significant investment in keeping the park active, lively, and welcoming for all ages.

Key features of the facility include:

• A full covered roof, allowing year-round use and protection from the elements.

• Spectator seating to support community games and events.

• Bright, well-lit interiors, thanks to translucent wall panels providing natural daylight.

• A versatile multi-use court surface lined for sports like lacrosse, ball hockey, pickleball, basketball, volleyball, and badminton.

• Convenient storage areas and open space for casual leisure activities.

Spanning 200 by 85 feet — equivalent to an NHL-sized rink — the facility is sized to accommodate serious play and community events alike.

Recreation for Every Season

The vision behind the Sohen Gill Sports Box was to create a true four-season recreational amenity. Designed to be flexible and welcoming, the box supports an impressive range of sports and activities. Users can look forward to playing lacrosse, basketball, volleyball, and even practicing tai chi within its walls.

The City of Burnaby's recreation team is in the process of finalizing a full schedule of programs, camps, and open play times. With its spacious design and weather protection, the sports box is already seeing high demand from local groups eager to host practices, games, and special events.

Visitors interested in using the facility can check schedules and reservation details on Burnaby's Outdoor Multi-Use Boxes page online.

A Project Years in the Making

Planning for the Confederation Park upgrades dates back to February 2022, when the City identified the need to replace the old lacrosse box. Originally, the plan was to build two covered sports boxes — one at Confederation Park and one at Riverway Sports Complex. However, escalating construction costs meant the project had to be scaled back to prioritize Confederation Park first.

Construction officially began in early 2023, with Mayor Mike Hurley helping to break ground in April. After just over a year of work, the facility welcomed its first players in April 2024. An official dedication ceremony is scheduled for July 13, 2024, featuring family-friendly activities and opportunities to try out sports like lacrosse and basketball.

Funding for the project, which came in around $6.5 million, was supported through Burnaby’s 2023–2027 Capital Plan, with additional funds reallocated from other civic projects.

Honoring a Local Legend: Sohen Gill

The new facility carries a name steeped in Burnaby’s sports history. Sohen Gill, a pioneer in the lacrosse community, grew up playing the game at Confederation Park. Over a distinguished career, he made major contributions as a player, coach, executive, and Commissioner of the Western Lacrosse Association. His induction into the BC Sports Hall of Fame cements his legacy, and naming the new sports box in his honor ensures future generations will know his impact on the sport and the city.

Later this year, Burnaby will also celebrate the official opening of the Jack Crosby Memorial Sports Box at Riverway Sports Complex — another nod to the city’s rich lacrosse tradition.

Curious how the new Sohen Gill Sports Box could enhance life around Confederation Park? We’re keeping a close eye on developments like this to help our clients stay informed about Burnaby’s evolving communities. Want to be one of them?