City of Surrey wins BCRPA Facility Excellence Award for Clayton Community Centre

Surrey, BC – The City of Surrey’s Clayton Community Centre has received the Facility Excellence Award by the BC Recreation and Parks Association (BCRPA) for projects over $1 million. The award recognizes outstanding innovation in facility concept, design, development, maintenance, or operation of a facility.

“A key focus in the design of the new Clayton Community Centre was to create a public space that prioritizes accessibility and inclusivity,” said Mayor Doug McCallum. “I’d like to thank the BCRPA for recognizing our efforts to make the Clayton Community Centre a place where residents can come together to play, exercise and connect. We are proud to offer our community innovative recreational and gathering spaces in Clayton and throughout Surrey well into the future.”

Clayton Community Centre has been designed to offer a unique mix of welcoming spaces that support social inclusivity, gathering, and connection of various ages, family compositions, genders, abilities, and cultures. With fully universal washrooms and changerooms, best practices in wayfinding and signage, adaptable fitness equipment, and a hearing loop – a magnetic wireless sound system for use by people with hearing aids – the centre sets a high bar on accessibility and inclusivity.

Also, as part of the City’s commitment to sustainability, the design of Clayton Community Centre integrates the leading environmental standards by following Passive House criteria. The Centre has reduced energy consumption by 98% compared to the average performance of similar existing buildings in British Columbia which reduces Surrey’s carbon footprint.

The Centre’s spaces combine arts and culture programming, including performing and visual arts spaces, a library that features children and teen areas, and recreational facilities including a gymnasium and fitness centre. Its central location in a dense residential area located near transit stops, and within a 10-min walk from two high schools make it highly accessible by public transit, walking, biking, skateboarding, and scootering. Electric Vehicle charging stations are also provided.

The Facility Excellence Award is one of five provincial Awards of Excellence presented during BCRPA’s annual Symposium conference in Whistler. Each award is presented on behalf of over 4,000 recreation and parks sector members from across BC working to enhance the physical and mental health, wellness, connectedness, and quality of life of their communities.

Clayton Community Centre officially opened its doors to the public in October of 2021 and has since won the IOC IAKS Bronze Award in recognition of its exemplary architecture.

Learn more about the Surrey Invests capital infrastructure program and how Surrey is investing in several significant projects to meet the growing needs of residents.