Bettie Allard YMCA Fall Construction Update

We have come a long way in the construction of the new Bettie Allard YMCA since our last update. Located steps from the Burquitlam Skytrain Station, the modern 55,000 square-foot centre of community is planned to open in just one year’s time! This new YMCA Centre of Community will feature carefully designed, safe, inviting, and accessible community gathering spaces where everyone can come together to connect and grow. Your support, and the support of all our What Really Matters Now donors, volunteers and community leaders are making this ambitious project possible.

Construction began in spring of 2020 and has continued to progress steadily and on-track throughout the pandemic. Current construction work is focused on placing the third-floor structural steel. As well, our aquatic tanks have been prepped for waterproofing and work on the change rooms block is underway. We can’t wait to see these spaces filled with families and eager swimmers.

The next big step is to “top” or place the roof on the building, an integral part of the building envelope. The building envelope is like a shell — a barrier against the elements. It includes all of the building components that separate the indoors from the outdoors: the exterior walls, foundations, roof, windows and doors. Once the building envelope is complete, more detailed construction and design work can get underway to make our new Y feel like the fresh and familiar community hub it will soon become.

We look forward to the many building milestones coming up the next year, and as we build our new centre in Burquitlam we’ll continue to share exciting updates for our committed and valued donors, supporters and Tri-Cities residents in this important project.