Construction is progressing as planned on the North Shore Elders Centre expansion project, led by Ta na wa Shéway I7x̱w ta Úxwumixw (Planning & Capital Projects).
After a land blessing in September 2025, Elders programming moved out of the Centre and construction began in full in October. Now, the new building extension foundations have been poured. This milestone means crews will soon be able to start building the structures for the expansion.
Located in the Xwemélch’stn (Capilano) community, The Elders Centre provides programs for Elders, age 55 and over, to support their social connection, independence and overall wellbeing. Pre-expansion, the Centre included a dining hall, lounge space, games room, wellness room, and supporting offices and storage. This space allowed for a variety of weekly activities like lunches, chair yoga, Squamish language class, weaving, drum-making and other traditional activities. for a variety of weekly activities like lunches, chair yoga, Squamish language class, weaving, drum-making and other traditional activities.
The expansion project will create an additional “4,940 square feet of program space, improving accessibility, space needs and creating a long-term community gathering amenity for Elders” according to the project designers, HCMA. This means the centre will more than double its overall space and include the addition of a medicine garden. The project included significant engagement with Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Elders, who co-created a space where Sḵwx̱wú7mesh culture is reflected throughout the building. HCMA says, “In particular, Elders identified improvements for important cultural traditions, including an arts and culture room large enough to accommodate looms for weaving and other uses, traditional gardens with outdoor covered areas, and a community kitchen large enough for traditional food preparation and storage.” The expansion will allow for up to 140 Elders to gather and share meals.
Construction is scheduled for completion in October of this year, and the re-opening of the Centre is planned for early 2027. Access to the Longhouse and Shaker Church is being maintained throughout the construction period.
