Mandate

North Vancouver Recreation & Culture Commission is an entity of the City of North Vancouver and District of North Vancouver, created to fulfill the municipalities' responsibilities for arts and recreation. These responsibilities include the provision of quality recreation and arts experiences, operation of community recreation facilities, capacity building of relevant arts and recreation organizations, management of the public art programs, and oversight of the community arts grants.

Vision

Recreation and arts are vital to North Vancouver becoming the most vibrant, diverse, active, creative, and connected community.

Mission

North Vancouver Recreation and Culture Commission improves the health and well-being of all North Vancouver individuals, families and communities, and inspires residents through quality recreation and arts opportunities.

Recognizing that we are integral to the health and wellness solution, NVRC will work with other service providers to proactively and intentionally respond to indoor and outdoor recreation and arts needs, with a focus on those who would benefit most, including youth, those who are under-served, and those with barriers to accessing quality recreation and arts opportunities.

Values

These values act as a moral compass, providing a lens through which all decisions are evaluated.

• We are inclusive
• We are innovative, creative and bold
• We strive for the highest standards of service and stewardship of resources
• We act with integrity, ensuring open, respectful relationships and supportive environments.

• 2023 Priorities
• 2022 Priorities
• 2021 Priorities
• 2020 Priorities
• 2019 Priorities
• 2014-2018 Strategic Plan 

Privacy statement

Collection, use and disclosure of personal information
Personal information gathered by North Vancouver Recreation & Culture (NVRC) Commission is voluntarily provided by individuals in order to register for programs and memberships. If you provide us with your personal information, it will only be used or disclosed for the purposes for which it was collected or, in limited circumstances, in accordance with the provincial Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.

Freedom of information (FOI) requests

NVRC, like all local government organizations, is subject to the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (the Act). Under the Act, you have the right to request any record in our control or custody. This includes personal records about yourself or someone you are responsible for, or general public records that are not personal and that could be released to anyone, in part or in whole.

Before you make a formal request
The information you are looking for may already routinely be made available to the public in which case a formal request is not required. Examples include: answers to questions related to Commission operations and meeting agendas or minutes; programs; publications; policies; and procedures.

You may be able to find the information you are looking for online yourself or with the help of a NVRC staff member. Staff will let you know if they have the information. If they do, but it is not routinely made available, they will confirm that you need to submit a formal request. You can also phone (604-983-6306) or email NVRC’s Freedom of Information & Protection of Privacy Act (FOIPPA) Coordinator to determine if a formal request is required.

Find documents and information online
Commission meeting documents
Policies

Making a formal FOI request

A formal request for recorded information is a process to access records that are not routinely available. Unlike routine requests, formal requests must be made in writing. 

Step 1 – Complete and send the FOI request form

• To reduce processing time and potential fees, keep your request clear, concise and focused, and include appropriate date ranges. The request should provide sufficient detail to assist staff in locating/retrieving the records.
• Complete our online request form (recommended). 
• Alternatively, you can email, mail or hand-deliver a written request to: FOIPPA Coordinator, North Vancouver Recreation & Culture Commission, 851 West Queens Road, North Vancouver, BC V7N 4E3

Step 2 - We acknowledge and review your request

• We will acknowledge your request within 24 to 48 hours of receipt, except on weekends and holidays. 
• The FOIPPA Coordinator will review your request to determine if what you are looking for is routinely available or if we need to search for, compile and review the information. 
• The FOIPPA Coordinator will also make sure that your request is for information that NVRC holds and not some other public body.
• We may contact you to clarify your request.
• We will contact you officially, letting you know when you can expect to have your request fulfilled. The Act allows a response within 30 business days of receiving a request; however, we will respond sooner if possible.
• If your request asks for a large number of records or contains records of a different public body, we may take up to an additional 30 business days to respond under Section 10 of the Act and will inform you of this extension.
• If the responsive record package contains records from a third party, we may take an additional 50 business days to respond under Section 23 and Section 24 of the Act and will inform you of this extension.

Step 3 - We gather the information

• The appropriate department(s) will be contacted to retrieve the requested information.

Fees associated with your request
Section 75 of the Act provides that NVRC may charge a fee for certain limited costs of locating, retrieving, producing and preparing the records for disclosure. If there are costs involved in processing a formal request, you will be provided with a fee estimate before the application is fully processed.

Step 4 – We review the information 

• We review the records to make sure they are complete and conform with privacy regulations. Any information that would be an invasion of personal privacy or cause harm by one of the sections listed in the Act will be withheld.
• If a record has information we cannot provide, that information will be blacked-out and marked with the relevant section(s) of the Act that explains why it has been withheld.
• If a record has several sections of information that we cannot provide, we may refuse access to that entire record.

Step 5 – We release the information

• We prepare your information release and send it to you.

Appealing the response to your FOI request

Sometimes, our duty to protect someone's privacy or prevent harm means we are unable to meet your request for information. If you are not satisfied with the response to your request, please contact us to address your concerns. Email NVRC’s FOIPPA Coordinator providing as much detail as possible to help us understand the nature of your concern. Your appeal will be reviewed by NVRC’s FOIPPA lead. It may take up to five business days to respond.

If you disagree with NVRC’s final decision, you have the option to ask for a review by the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner, an independent government body that monitors and enforces provincial privacy and freedom of information laws. They ensure that your rights under the Act are protected and that disputes are resolved in a fair and unbiased manner.

We aim to provide a welcoming, safe and positive environment for all our patrons, visitors, staff and volunteers. 

Our expectations for patrons, visitors, staff and volunteers:

• Treat everyone with kindness, courtesy and respect. Threatening/aggressive behavior, harassment, discrimination, violence and physical or verbal abuse will not be tolerated. 

• Use the facility and equipment in a safe and appropriate way, and avoid conduct that may negatively impact other facility users and visitors, and staff and volunteers.

• Promote an inclusive environment in which differences are valued. Behaviour, actions or language that promotes discrimination, racism or hatred will not be tolerated.

• Adhere to the policies and procedures set by NVRC while using our facilities, programs and services.

• Participation while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or while in possession of weapons, drugs or other illegal or banned items will not be tolerated. 

NVRC reserves the right to refuse service or access for violation of drop-in procedures, inappropriate conduct and/or for failing to respect the Code of Conduct, for failing to respect facility/program rules, and/or for failing to follow the directions of a NVRC staff member.

If you have questions or would like to report a concern, please speak with a staff member.

Reference: North Vancouver Recreation & Culture Commission Policy #407 – Orderly Conduct

NVRC regularly conducts comprehensive needs assessments to identify:

• Leisure preferences of North Vancouver residents
• Where residents go to recreate
• Level of satisfaction with programs and services
• Preferences for service delivery
• Barriers to participation
• Priorities for the future

The research provides rigourous and representative data on outdoor recreation, indoor recreation, arts and culture, and volunteering. It can be segmented by interest area, age, where people live and other demographic factors. 

Collecting this information helps ensure that:

• Future planning is grounded in data
• NVRC understands and is proactively and intentionally responding to citizen needs for public recreation and cultural services 
• Services are inclusive of everyone in the community and target under-served populations
• Public resources are allocated in a responsible and sustainable manner that maximizes benefits to the communities NVRC serves

The North Vancouver Recreation and Culture (NVRC) Commission, established in 1971 as a partnership between the City of North Vancouver* and the District of North Vancouver*, has been delivering recreation and culture programs and services for more than 50 years. During that time, NVRC has developed a number of valuable partnerships with community organizations in which we collaborate to serve the needs of the North Vancouver community.

Capilano Community Services Society

Capilano Community Services Society (CCSS) is a charitable non-profit society serving communities across North and West Vancouver. ​It began operations in 1970, driven by a grassroots community response to address the need for the development and delivery of social programs for youth and seniors in the Capilano Highlands area but now supports residents across the North Shore. CCSS offers outreach and onsite programs and support services for people of all ages to increase social connections, stay active, and improve health and wellbeing. Fun programs promote learning together and provide a sense of community belonging, so that individuals and families can thrive. CCSS delivers a number of programs and services at Lions Gate Community Recreation Centre. Visit the Capilano Community Services Society  website for more information.

North Shore Neighbourhood House

Since 1939, North Shore Neighbourhood House (NSNH) has provided social, recreational and childcare services to North Shore residents of all ages. NSNH strives to build a safe, healthy and strong community, welcoming all ages, abilities and cultures – one where everyone has access to support, everyone is included, and where everyone matters. Services are directed towards improving community health and well-being with a mission is to work together to enhance the lives of its neighbours, especially the most vulnerable. NSNH also delivers a number of programs and services at John Braithwaite Community Centre. Visit the North Shore Neighbourhood House  website for more information.

Parkgate Society

Parkgate Society is a registered, not-for-profit charitable society providing programs and services through Parkgate Community Centre and satellite locations east of the Seymour River. With a vision of a vibrant, connected community, Parkgate Society creates opportunities for people in our community to live life better. They support this vision through the development of a unique and diverse blend of accessible low-cost and no-cost programs and services, created in direct response to community needs; primarily serving children, youth, families, and seniors. They continually strive to find new opportunities that will help them enhance or increase their community programs, community involvement, and community engagement Visit the Parkgate Society website for more information.