HISTORY OF BRITANNIA

 

The Britannia Community Services Centre has a rich history that reflects the city’s development and its commitment to community engagement. Located in the Grandview-Woodland neighborhood, the Britannia Centre was established in 1975 as a central hub for local residents, offering a variety of recreational, cultural, and social services.

In the 1960s and early 1970s, East Vancouver was home to many working-class families and a significant immigrant population.  Despite this, there were limited facilities and resources for local youth. Britannia Secondary School students, who often had to travel far for recreational activities and social services, began to recognize the lack of accessible spaces for their peers to gather, socialize, and engage in meaningful activities.  Many students felt disconnected from other parts of the city, and they recognized the need for a dedicated space that could meet the needs of the local community.

In the early 1970s, a group of students from Britannia Secondary School, with the support of their teachers, took a proactive approach to advocating for a new community center. They began organizing campaigns and rallies to raise awareness about the lack of resources for youth in the area. Their activism highlighted the importance of building a community space that would offer programs and facilities for young people, including sports, arts, and social services.  They also saw the potential for a multi-faceted facility that would not only benefit youth but other groups within their neighborhood, such as families and seniors.

The Britannia students were able to mobilize their peers and gain the support of other community members who shared the same concerns. The efforts of the students were integral in raising public awareness about the need for such a facility. They were successful in drawing attention to the issue, both within the school and the broader East Vancouver community.  They lobbied the City of Vancouver and local officials to prioritize the development of the Britannia Community Centre as a way to provide young people with more opportunities for engagement and recreation. The students’ activism helped build momentum for the project and eventually garnered the attention of city planners and officials.

Their advocacy efforts reflected a broader social movement at the time in which young people across North America were increasingly voicing their concerns about issues like youth recreation, education, and social inequality. The Britannia students’ efforts to secure a community center were part of this larger push for more youth-centered spaces in urban areas.

In 1976, the Britannia Community Centre officially opened, providing much-needed facilities and services for the East Vancouver community. The center included a gymnasium, meeting rooms, sports facilities, and later, an ice rink and swimming pool. It was a space where youth, families, and seniors could come together and engage in a variety of activities that fostered social connections and personal development.

The role of teenagers from Britannia Secondary School in the fight for the development of the Britannia Community Centre is a significant part of the story of how the Centre came to be and left a lasting legacy with their successful campaign for the community centre. Their activism not only helped create a space that served the youth of East Vancouver but also demonstrated the power of young people to influence local politics and city planning.

The Britannia Community Centre has grown over the years and expanded its offerings, including a variety of sports programs, arts, childcare services, fitness facilities, and social programs.  Its programs serve the local population, especially those from diverse backgrounds, including Indigenous, immigrant, and working-class communities.  Throughout its history, the centre has been a place of community activism and social change. It has hosted public events, cultural festivals, and initiatives aimed at promoting inclusion, social justice, and local empowerment.

Today, the Britannia Community Centre continues to evolve, adapting to the changing demographics and needs of the community, while maintaining its core mission of being a welcoming, inclusive space for all.

For the full story read  A Great Idea: The Creation of Britannia Community Services Centre or pick up a copy the Info Centre.