First Look at new Timms Community Centre

As I posted about a few weeks ago, the City of Langley has been planning to build a new Timms Community Centre, directly west of City Hall, for several years now. Steve Jobs would have been proud about the lack information made available to the public about this $14.3 million project until the City of Langley revealed the new community centre design yesterday afternoon.

Artist rendering of new Timms Community Centre, looking from Douglas Crescent. Select image to enlarge.

The new 35,000 sq. ft., two-storey facility also includes one-level of underground parking. The new Timms will include a full-size gym, walking track, fully equipped fitness centre, a community kitchen, and plenty of flexible room/community space. The design of the centre is to truly be a community hub. One of the challenges in the City today is a lack of flexible community space, so I’m glad that this is addressed in the community centre design.

Site plan for new Timms Community Centre. Select image to enlarge.

Timms fronts Douglas Crescent and is fully pedestrian and cycling-friendly. In fact, I’m happy that there is very little surface parking. Now there is surface parking in the back of the building which unfortunately fronts Fraser Highway, but it is my understanding that this is temporary. I’m hoping that Council and City staff will work quickly to improve the public realm along Fraser Highway; replacing the surface parking with a better, more pedestrian-friend land use.

Overall, I’m very impressed with the new design for the Timms Community Centre and I believe it will have a positive impact in Downtown Langley and provide a much needed social hub for people, including seniors and/or people with lower incomes, who live nearby. The new Timms is expected to be completed by December 2015.