In 2015, Vancouver City Council adopted the Northeast False Creek Plan, designed to reconnect downtown and Downtown Eastside, Chinatown, Citygate and communities to the south in a new holistic and inclusive waterfront. The Northeast False Creek (NEFC) Plaza of Nations Site is located with the Northeast False Creek redevelopment area. Site owner Canadian Metropolitan Properties Corporation (CMPC) submitted a rezoning application for residential development including provision of a community centre, ice rink, music presentation centre and childcare.
Background
Process
In March 2018, Cornerstone Planning Group was retained by the City of Vancouver to undertake a high-level preliminary functional program study to evaluate the suitability and merits of concept level plans and massing/stacking arrangements. Following the completion of this study, Cornerstone was retained again to develop a detailed functional program for publicly accessible functions on site including:
- 4,645 m2 (40,000 ft2) Community Centre
- 929 m2 (10,000 ft2) Ice Arena – to be shared as a Canucks training facility
- 1858 m2 (20,000 ft2) Music Presentation Centre
- 786 m2 (8,459 ft2) Childcare – 69 capacity with 745 m2 (8,020 ft2) outdoor space
The process was highly collaborative, with the project team regularly meeting with the Vancouver Parks Board and members of Vancouver Music Community to hash out spatial requirements to meet the needs of the users. Additionally, Cornerstone held a semi-private engagement session with specialty stakeholders to get their feedback for
Solution
The project culminated in a detailed Functional Program that was submitted to the City. Currently, the City of Vancouver is working with CMPC to develop detailed designs of the facility based off the functional program.
