In 2009 the municipality of West Vancouver, British Columbia took a bold step in engaging the community by entering into a joint operating agreement with a newly formed non profit society to oversee the operations of a recently constructed $40 million dollar/83,000 square foot community center officially named the West Vancouver Community Centre, including the oversight of the adjoining 40,000 square foot aquatic center with a combined operating budget of $6.7 million.

The non profit society, officially named the West Vancouver Community Center Services Society, is comprised of 16 residents of the community who are responsible for the operation and budgeting oversight of all community services and programs which take place in the facility. Sustainable, accessible, collaborative, multidimensioned, integrated, the buildings and the community governance model is designed to take West Vancouver’s blend of community services to the year 2050 and beyond, with the community at the helm. The community governance model establishes a collaborative partnership with local government and brings public involvement and decision making to the forefront of community service delivery.