Strathcona Gardens Recreation Complex has been serving Campbell River, Electoral Area D and surrounding communities for more than 50 years.
Over the decades, the facility has grown and evolved to provide aquatic, arena, fitness and community recreation opportunities for residents of all ages.
Today, the REC-REATE project is building on that history by renewing and expanding Strathcona Gardens for future generations.
Growing With Our Community
Strathcona Gardens has developed in stages as community recreation needs have changed.
- 1972 – Rod Brind’Amour Arena opens.
- 1979 – Main pool opens, expanding aquatic recreation opportunities at Strathcona Gardens.
- 1995 – A major expansion adds Rink 2, the leisure ice area, leisure pool and lobby.
- 2020 – Energy upgrades are completed, including improvements to boilers, refrigeration plants and air-handling systems.
- 2024 – Construction begins on REC-REATE Phase 1 – Aquatic & Wellness, marking the next major chapter in the evolution of Strathcona Gardens.
Strathcona Gardens Before REC-REATE
Before the REC-REATE revitalization began, Strathcona Gardens included a wide range of recreation facilities and amenities.
Arenas
- Rod Brind’Amour Arena (Rink 1) – 85 x 200 ft. ice surface with 742 seats
- Rink 2 – 85 x 200 ft. ice surface with 150 seats
- Leisure Ice – approximately 4,000 sq. ft.
- Dressing rooms serving both arenas and the leisure ice area
- Skate shop offering skate sharpening and rentals
Aquatics
- 6 lane / 37.5-metre main pool
- Leisure pool
- Waterslide
- Hot tub
- Dry sauna and steam sauna
- Changerooms
Fitness
- Weight room
- Fitness studio
Other Amenities
- Concession
- Meeting rooms
- Offices
- Lobby and gathering spaces
- More than 200 parking spaces
Accessibility features included aquatic wheelchairs, an aquatic chair, accessible dressing spaces and a lift providing access to the second floor.
A Well-Used Regional Recreation Facility
Strathcona Gardens has long been an important recreation hub for the region.
Prior to REC-REATE, the facility welcomed approximately 150,000 visits annually and supported a wide variety of recreation programs, activities, user groups, events and community gatherings.
The facility is owned and operated by the Strathcona Regional District and is located at:
225 South Dogwood Street
Campbell River, BC
2015 Community Snapshot
As part of the 2015 Facility Needs Assessment, residents were asked about their use of Strathcona Gardens.
The survey found:
- 71% of households surveyed had at least one household member who used Strathcona Gardens
- 72% of Campbell River households had at least one household member visit the facility
- 64% of Electoral Area D households had at least one household member visit
- 95% of households with children reported using Strathcona Gardens
Aquatic facilities had the highest level of use, followed by ice and dry-floor activities.
The survey also showed that fitness and rehabilitation activities were particularly important to older adults, with notable participation among residents aged 55 and older.
These findings helped demonstrate the importance of Strathcona Gardens to the community and contributed to the planning that ultimately led to the REC-REATE revitalization project.
The Next Chapter
As Strathcona Gardens aged and the region continued to grow, facility assessments and community engagement identified the need for renewal, additional capacity and improved recreation spaces.
The REC-REATE project is the next chapter in that story — replacing aging infrastructure and creating modern, accessible and inclusive recreation facilities designed to serve the region for decades to come.