the west end community centre on denman is one of those neighbourhood gems that is much bigger and more spacious than it first appears. from the outside, it may look like a typical community recreation centre, but step inside and you quickly realize there is a whole little ecosystem happening under one roof. there's an ice rink, fitness centre, dance studios, squash courts, pottery spaces and a variety of community programs that bring people of all ages together. it feels less like a single purpose facility and more like a gathering place where the neighbourhood comes to move, learn and connect. i was there for an adult beginner ballet class under the guidance of maria, our ballet instructor. the goal was simple, to learn the basics and hopefully move through life with just a little more grace and elegance. we worked through the foundations of ballet: pliés, first position, rond de jambe and relevés. movements that look effortless when performed by trained dancers suddenly become a lesson in concentration, balance and body awareness when you're the one attempting them. the class moved between posture exercises, stretching, jumps and technique work. each movement seemed deceptively simple until you actually had to hold the position, engage the right muscles and remember all the little details. while focusing on my relevé, i could hear bass thumping from somewhere next door. not exactly the soundtrack i had imagined for ballet, but somehow it added to the charm, a reminder that this wasn't a polished, intimidating studio, but a real neighbourhood space filled with people pursuing their own interests. and that's what makes this experience so appealing. there's something wonderfully approachable about learning ballet in a community centre rather than a formal dance academy. around you, people are shooting hoops, working out, taking classes and going about their evening. it's a little busy, a little chaotic, and completely authentic to the neighbourhood. the dance studio itself is bright, clean and spacious, with large mirrors and ballet barres running along the walls. there's plenty of room to move, practice and slowly build confidence. i may not be preparing for the nutcracker or swan lake anytime soon, but there is something satisfying about learning a skill that is built around posture, strength and elegance. now the big question remains...when do we get to wear the pink tutus?! until then, it's one plié, one relevé and one small step toward moving with a little more grace. read more

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Some people i have grown to know at this gym have stopped coming because of certain hippy types that don't believe in deodorant, soap and water on a daily basis. They make it extremely unpleasant for the rest of us. After 20 yr going to the westend cc will not be renewing yearly in January because those same stinky guys have also a problem with essential oils and these are same guys that don't rinse before coming into steam, have had a problem or two with them because they exfoliate in the steam, they don't rinse or they pour water on the steam sensor but the lazy Filipino attendant is buddy with some of them so favours their unacceptable behaviour or homophobia even which is asinine considering it's the westend. This gym has gone down hygienically as well and the maintenance guy is just standing around chitchatting.. what a horrible and disappointing turn for this gym read more

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West End Community Center is a nice place to be. I would recommend this too anyone just starting out with fitness read more

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I give this place a two star because there ice is too slippery. I've been to plenty ice rinks before and never had an issue, but for some reason, their ice is the most slippery I have ever skated on. Now I'm not no professional skater or fancy dancer i know ice. I've been to a few rinks. I will definitely not be going back to this rink unless my man wants to ice skate. Other than that if you are looking for a slippery time, come here it's great, but if you're looking for a nice chill skate with your man on a nice Tuesday night for date night, then you should find a different rink And they're not even playing music. doesn't kind of skating rink doesn't play music? Also, they don't have a concession stand for food. What if you get hungry in the middle of a skate then you're stuck having to go out or bringing your own sandwiches. I shouldn't have to bring my own sandwich when I go skating I like to eat out a sandwich, when I go skating and get hungry. also, it's very bright and cold and no disco lights every rink. I've been to had disco lights. Where is the disco? read more

This place is amazing. We took our family ice skating. Frank!!!!! Frank is amazing and taught me how to ice skate!! He was so kind to my husband and helped us find ice skates that fit. He interacts with everyone not just my kids and family but everyone on the ice. He is the sweetest person I met in Vancouver. We skated during public skate on Thursday 12-1:30pm but came back at 3:30pm because my kids had so much fun. We even stayed after and watched some guys play hockey. They wanted to go back on Friday Morning!!! The staff at the desk were amazing as well. The locals that use this rink were equally nice. I highly recommend checking out this jewel!!! read more

West End Community Centre - Recreation Centers Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

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Dear West End Community Centre, You made our entire trip with ice skating for just $6 per person including skate rental! What an AMAZING deal! We were visiting Vancouver for a week, and when you have a family of five, activities can add up very quickly. We live in Hawaii on the island of 'Oahu, where there's only one ice skating venue on the entire island, so that means ice skating is a rare treat. Our kids loved it so much we came back three times. Our youngest six year old daughter begged us every single day to bring her back to hold on to the wall and learn how to skate on the ice. By day three she was skating all on her own and felt so accomplished. Our older two children couldn't skate by the end of our trip, but they still had a blast on that rink. I wish the times to skate were more often and longer, but I have so much gratitude in my heart for this wonderful community centre that created beautiful memories for our family. The staff here were super friendly and helpful, and we looked forward to seeing them during each visit. Can't wait to go back to Vancouver again for more family skate time! read more

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My family decided to book the gym at this community centre to hold my nephew's 2nd birthday party. It was the best decision made and the kids loved it! Four Tables and at least 40 chairs were set up for us. All we had to do was decorate the place and bring food. Imagine a huge gym with mats, slides, toys and cars the kids can sit in and drive around with their feet. All these toys were set up in the middle and the children had access to move around everywhere. They can be as loud as they want and they can run to their heart's content. Every little child and parent left happy that day. read more

West End Community Centre - Recreation Centers Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

What a great community center to serve the population of downtown Vancouver. So many things to do here. Skating rink. Auditorium. Pottery studio. Library. Youth programs. Everyone is welcome. So many benefits to being a member. read more

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What better rainy Sunday afternoon activity is there than skating? The west end community center has a standard sized rink and skate rentals. It is BYO-hot chocolate though. Entrance costs under $5, and then just an extra $2.45 to rent skates. There are family/public skates on Saturday and Sunday afternoons, a perfect date-night Saturday evening skate, and also a loonie-skate on Thursdays. In addition to the rink there is also a gym, library, and even a pottery studio in the center. And when you discover how much you love going skating, there are discount tickets available in books of 10 for both the entrance fees and skate rentals. read more

West End Community Centre - From West End Community Centre website - Recreation Centers Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

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**Ice Rink Review** 147' x 74'!!! Why are these dimensions significant?? It's significant if you're an ice hockey player that's used to NHL rink standards of 200' x 85'!! Yes, we call the WEC rink the "Boston Gardens" of Vancouver ice rinks because it was once the smallest rink in the NHL. The WEC is 147' X 74'!! The most players on ice is 4 per side + goalie. This makes for some really face-paced action in tight quarters. You have to think and move even faster!! Also, this rink has many idiosyncrasies: - there's only plexiglas-board combos on the north side of the rink. The remainder is concrete and doors. -there's only one opening for bench changes for BOTH teams and the gate is left OPEN! -there are only 2 double doors on the south side of the rink and if you've ripped a few slappers in the right spot, you can literally smash the handles off! LOL I noticed the rink is enjoyed by many international students and visitors. When we have practice or game sessions, they love to take pics with us in our hockey gear and ask of if they can hold our sticks. YES, we get to feel like NHL'rs for a day! Rockstar, baby!! read more

A nice facility with lots to do, WECC does a great job of catering to neighborhood needs. The fitness centre has separate rooms for weights and cardio, both of which are well appointed for an older facility. Additionally there is an ice rink, and a couple adjustable courts for racquetball/squash, which are becoming more and more rare withing the parks board (MPCC had some until it was torn down in favour of the new facility at 1 Kingsway) By no means is this a Crown Jewel among the host of newer, shinier facilities opens over the past 5-or-so years (MPCC, Trout Lake, Hillcrest) but WECC is still really nice, and serves it's community well. Me likey. read more

This place MAKES the neighbourhood. From library (you can request books from VPL online and get them to deliver them to Joe Fortes), to the fitness center, pottery studio...what more could you ask for!?!? A steam room?? OK, they have that too. I've been using this fitness centre for years and love it's unpretentiousness. If you go to the gym to prance around in makeup and lululemon keep walking. This place is to work out. And if you are a woman who gets annoyed at how the men take over the free weight room...just wait until Sunday 5-7 when us ladies have the whole place to ourselves. For some reason, not many women take advantage and i've had the place (including steam room) practically to myself on a few occasions. But the best are the Monday and Friday yoga classes with Fran. Monday will kick your arse. Yes, even you boys. Actually especially you boys. It is a Yoga Shape class and is not for the weak in mind, heart or body. Don't let her small frame fool you. Fran is a beast!!! Friday classes are a little less intense but still a great yoga workout. At less than 5$ a drop in (if you buy a book of 10 tix) it is the cheapest drop in in town. I love the WECC. read more

Decent community Centre but far from the best. Skating is nice here and they do have a mini library which nice. It's also a very popular place so the classes fill up really quickly meaning you can't delay a couple of days. The facility could be a bit cleaner but to be honest it wasn't a huge issue. Really wish they had some basketball here. read more

If I were writing Hallmark cards they might sound a little something like these: 1) Happy Anniversary, May 31. You make getting my parking pass so easy and so cheap to own. Thanks for the last magical four years! 2) Remember how fun skating was when you were a kid. Inside: Before your feet grew to big and your body grew brittle and grown up and falling actually hurt. Thanks for the ledges, built perfectly for scaredy cat adults. 3) Woo hoo, play date time. There's a fricking bouncy castle inside. Inside: You're invited. 4) Thank you for being my neighbourhood friend! read more

I'm sure the rest of the centre is fine, but this is just for the ice rink & facilities. Smaller rink, and even smaller dressing rooms. When I play my drop-in hockey either on Wed. or Sat nites, it's even better for the public to clear after their public skate, and just change out in the open like the rest of the guys. Ice of course is a chippy and not as smooth b/c of all the joe blow's & plain jane's who attempt to skate here just before we get on lol. But the smaller surface does make for great action, less room to move but more shots for the goalies too ;) It's well lit & decent digital score board on the wall. A great place to be casual and local residents to just walk here. As with West End, you get all walks of life here. Does have an underground parking but its a bit dungeon-like with archaic parking machines---last time i used it, it only accepted loonies. read more

This has got to be the coolest place in town. Bored on a rainy day? Come on over. What to do? Well, you could start with a fitness class: yoga, pilates, kickboxing, capoiera, step, spin, whatever your poison. Drop ins are around $5. Not enough? Stop by the fitness centre. Every bit as good as any gym I've ever visited, without the attitudes! After that, maybe a glide around the indoor skating rink. If you are looking for something more long-term, they offer every type of class you could desire, from languages to dance. Everyone here is super friendly and very down to earth. I love that the homeless guys can sit on the chairs and watch a hockey game or have a snooze, and no one bothers anyone. This is well worth paying taxes for. Yay Vancouver! read more

A studio rink with friendly staff and an intimate atmosphere. This one is also really cold and tends to get quite crowded for public sessions. Whatever you do, don't park in the underground garage here if you ever want to see your car again and watch your bags around the rink like crazy. read more

Great spot on rainy days when a run around Stanley is not an option. The drop in rate is 5$ which is completely reasonable. Usually empty and unpretentious - gotta love the community centre gyms! Its appears that 12-2pm on weekdays is senior time? 65 year old men seem to like twisting around on the mats with medicine balls! Way to go guys.. keep that cholesterol level in check. read more

Has assigned my son to the skating classes for the third level after he went there for the first one. Has received a call from the rink during which we agreed that we will try the third one and if it won't work - we will sign up for the second level. The day of the first lesson I was working, granny has taken my son to the rink. The man, who works there just came to the ice and has taken my son out of there. Then I have received a call from him, and he in unfortunately in a rude and impolite manner I was informed that my son is excluded from a group. I was trying to tell about the discussion we had with a lady, but he did not want to listen - just shouted - "It's the end of discussion. Do you refuse to receive a refund?". I was very upset after this talk. I know people might have "bad days", but treating people this way, especially in such a rude manner is quite unprofessional and very upsetting. Spending a few minutes to clarify the situation without shouting would not leave such an awful impression. My son is upset (he just did not stand to such treatment, especially from strangers), I am very disappointed with such level of communication. read more

Who knew that there was a skating rink in the West End - at the community centre that is.... by Haro and Denman! tucked away - if you are planning to skate - you have to enter through Haro street.. or you'll end up like me on the other side of the community centre through the Denman entrance... wondering how to get to the other side of the rink. There are SKATES rentals!!!!! thank goodness and it's not expensive either.... for two people to public skate and a pair of rentals, it was 12 dollars. On Monday evening from 8:15 - 10:15pm, there was a great turnout of people of different ages. Not the biggest rink, but enough for people to make their turns, and do their rounds. There are ample amount of benches to sit on during the zamboni breaks so that there is fresh slippery rice half way through! Fun Fun FUN! read more

This is our favourite community centre even though it is old. They have great programs here, and all the staff are very friendly. I just love taking the kids to classes here because it's such a beautiful walk to get here, and it's so welcoming inside. It's also attached to a public library, which is convenient. The public skating is decent and cheap too. read more

ALSO: men in combat boots and leggings in the fitness centre are not necessarily allowed, but are tolerated. I love my neighbourhood for many, many reasons, but seeing this particular sight in my local community centre over the past few years warms the cockles of my twee 'eart. The West End: home to Robin, the gays and the greys. read more

How about a skate on the weekend at the skating rink or a read in the library. There is also a fitness centre, a work-out room, pottery rooms and a common area. The West End Community Centre is the glue that holds this vibrant community together. The yearly membership is only $15 a year and it gets you into everything from discounted memberships to classes. When I was in high school, I always came to the gym here and it was so much fun. some Sundays, the skating is free, so check out the schedule. read more

Great birthday party location for kids during June with 5 bouncy castle. Kidzone! When the skate rink is closed for the few weeks it's a great place to host a party. Normally the gym is the one that is available with the castle style bouncy castle. Although old building it has parking below, close by lots of pics places to order food, pickup last minute things at Amy's loonie store. Although the centre doesn't provide leaders other than opening the door. You are responsible for clean up. read more

Went to the early morning Kick Start class this week. It's amazing! Jill is fabulous. It's a weight training Circuit alternating with cardioTabata, and finishing up with a good stretch. Best workout I've done in years, and love that it's first thing in the morning. read more

Ice skating lessons with Raymond, Frank and Amber are incredible. well done to them they're patient, talented and fun instructors.