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A new arena in Burnaby slated to open in 2022 will be called the Rosemary Brown Arena while the Fortius Sport and Health recreation centre will be renamed the Christine Sinclair Community Centre.
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Burnaby will name two recreation centres after politician and social justice champion Rosemary Brown and soccer star Christine Sinclair for their significant contributions and achievements in Burnaby.
City staff say the 146,000 square-foot Fortius Sport and Health recreation centre at 3713 Kensington Avenue will be renamed the Christine Sinclair Community Centre.
Council also announced that the name for a new arena under construction at 10th Avenue and 18th Street in Edmonds will be the Rosemary Brown Arena. The 92,000-square-foot facility, slated to open in 2022, will have two NHL-sized rinks and will accommodate ice sports, as well as lacrosse, ball hockey, community events and city-run programs, the city said.
“Christine Sinclair and Rosemary Brown have been trailblazers and a huge source of inspiration for people of all ages, particularly for girls and young women,” said Burnaby mayor Mike Hurley, in a statement Thursday.
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“Each of them have made a tremendous impact and the City of Burnaby is proud to honour them by having their names on these marquee recreation facilities.”
Brown, who died in 2003, was a pioneer politician, community leader and human rights champion who used her voice to fight discrimination against women and people of colour. She served as a prominent Burnaby MLA from 1979 to 1986, and was the first Black woman elected to a provincial legislature in Canada, according to a city news release Thursday.
“Our family is thrilled to know that my mother’s life’s work is being remembered in this way,” said Cleta Brown, in a statement.
“Many of the people who visit this new arena will be new immigrants, women and other people whose lives have benefited directly from the causes she dedicated her life to advancing.”
Sinclair led Team Canada to win back-to-back bronze medals at the 2012 London and 2016 Rio Olympic Games. In January 2020, in the 23rd minute of Team Canada’s opening match against St. Kitts and Nevis, she scored her 185th international goal, setting the record for most goals in international play, both women’s and men’s soccer, according to the city.
“I’m so honoured to be recognized in this way, and I can’t imagine a better place for it,” said Sinclair, in a statement.
“I’ve been in this facility many times over the years and played on the turf fields. I look forward to seeing the next generation of athletes come through these doors.”
The official ceremonies to mark the naming of these two city centres will be announced at a later date.
ticrawford@postmedia.com
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