A Message from Mayor Mike Hurley

To My Fellow Burnaby Residents:

On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared the COVID-19 outbreak a pandemic. With the one-year milestone comes reflection on the year we’ve just lived through, and an opportunity to look to the future.

I think we’re ready to look forward. As the Province’s vaccination program expands, I’m optimistic that our economy will strengthen, and we will soon return to more active and social lives. I urge you to stay the course by wearing a mask, physical distancing, avoiding gatherings and washing your hands.  

Meantime, the City of Burnaby is forging ahead with initiatives that matter to residents. Responding to City Council’s declaration of a Climate Emergency in 2019, we are already taking steps for Burnaby to be “carbon neutral” (no longer contributing to the carbon emissions that accelerate climate change) by 2050. This will ensure we enjoy a sustainable and resilient community for generations to come.

New Recreation Facilities 

We are also making solid progress to provide outstanding new recreation facilities to serve our community. A new pedestrian overpass over Highway 1 is being planned that will improve walking and cycling connections between the Deer Lake and Burnaby Lake areas. At Burnaby Lake, the former Fortius Sport & Health property that we purchased in late 2020 is now open accepting fitness and weight room bookings. We will have more news to share as we expand programming at this facility. Across the street, we will soon unveil designs for a new Burnaby Lake Sports Complex (BLSC). BLSC will replace CG Brown Pool and Burnaby Lake Arena with a spectacular new facility that will be a draw for residents all across Burnaby. 

In Edmonds, a new South Burnaby Arena is taking shape. When complete, the two NHL-sized ice sheets will provide an important amenity for recreation and competitive activities. Near Metrotown, the completion of the final phase of the Central Park Perimeter Trail will let residents enjoy a lit, rubberized five-kilometer loop of the park. And finally, we’re planning to create new recreation facilities in the rapidly growing town centres of Brentwood and Lougheed. We will have more details to share soon.

New Sidewalks, Housing and Child Care 

We have big plans for our neighbourhoods in 2021. To make it safer and more convenient to walk, we will build more than 15 kilometres of new sidewalks close to schools, parks and community centres. At school sites across Burnaby, a partnership with the school board the Province is creating child care centres that will result 445 new quality child care spaces by the end of the year, of which 247 will be for children ages five and under. 

And in our push to improve housing affordability, we are leveraging partnerships with BC Housing, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation and non-profit housing providers. If funding is approved, construction will begin on over 1,150 units of new non-market and affordable homes this year.

Despite the challenges caused by the pandemic, we are fortunate to be in a strong financial position as a municipality. The future of Burnaby is bright. I look forward to working together with the community to achieve our goals in the years ahead.

Sincerely,
Mayor Mike Hurley