West Van FC Breaks Ground on New Paul Myers Athletic Centre
WEST VANCOUVER, B.C. – On Wednesday, June
25th at 10:00 a.m., West Vancouver Football Club (West Van FC) will proudly celebrate
the groundbreaking of the Paul Myers
Athletic Centre (PMAC) at West Vancouver Secondary School. This milestone
event marks the beginning of construction on what will be West Vancouver’s only
indoor soccer and multi-sport facility, a transformative addition to the
community’s athletic infrastructure.
The state-of-the-art
facility has been made possible by an extraordinary $3 million donation from philanthropist Paul Myers, whose
generosity reflects a deep commitment to youth and community wellness. Many North Shore residents will be familiar
with Paul through his company Keith
Plumbing & Heating and his $25 million donation to the Acute Care tower at Lions Gate Hospital that now bears his name. “Supporting
this project is about more than building a facility—it's about investing in the
health, happiness, and future of this community,” said Paul Myers. “I’m proud
to be part of something that will serve generations of athletes, students, and
families in West Vancouver.”
The Paul Myers Athletic
Centre has also been realized as a result of West Van FC setting up a project
partnership with Sport BC’s BC Amateur Sport Fund, a qualified donee that works
to raise and disburse funds to the exclusive benefit of amateur sport. West Van FC’s partnership with BC Amateur
Sport Fund allows individuals and organizations to make donations to the
benefit of the Athletic Centre and receive a tax receipt for their gift.
The Paul Myers Athletic
Centre is the result of a strategic collaboration between West Van FC and the
West Vancouver School District, which has generously partnered to allow the
facility to be built on school district property. In return, students at West
Vancouver Secondary will have access to the PMAC during school hours. “The
new Paul Myers Athletic Centre is a game-changer for local soccer development
and WVS students,” said Nicole
Brown, Board Chair, West Vancouver Schools. “During school hours,
Physical Health Education (PHE) classes will have access to this
state-of-the-art facility, enhancing their programming with a high-quality
indoor training space.”
The groundbreaking
ceremony will be attended by Paul Myers, West Vancouver Mayor Mark Sager &
council members, Ruth Burr, President of West Van FC, &WVFC directors, the
Board of West Vancouver Schools and senior staff. Additionally, Rob Newman, President and CEO, Michael Peters, VP Finance, and
Allison Mailer, VP Operations of Sport BC will all be in attendance to
celebrate this milestone for West Vancouver sport.
Regarding the collaboration, Sport BC President &
CEO, Rob Newman shared “The fundraising partnership between the BC Amateur
Sport Fund, West Van FC, and the Paul Myers Family Foundation is a powerful
example of the potential of sport philanthropy. Sport BC is proud of this partnership
as an example of the potential of sport philanthropy to have a meaningful
impact for community now and for generations. We thank West Van FC and the Paul
Myers Family Foundation bringing us to the team to benefit amateur sport.”
“This facility
represents a commitment to the health, development, and future of young and
older athletes in our community,” said Ruth Burr, President of West Van FC.
“We’re thrilled to begin this journey and incredibly grateful for Paul Myers’
generosity and vision.”
As construction
begins, West Van FC is actively seeking sponsorship and donations to help
complete the finishing touches to the facility, particularly the addition of
key amenities such as the washrooms and warm-up turf. Community partners and
businesses are invited to be part of this legacy project through tax-deductible
donations and sponsorship opportunities.
Construction on the PMAC
is scheduled to begin this summer, with completion anticipated in late 2025.
About West Van FC:
West Van FC is comprised
of over 1,500 youth and 300 adult soccer players. It is the oldest community sports
organization in West Vancouver, with over 200 community volunteers and more
than 20 technical staff. Programs are
offered for children as young as four and
also adults playing on our Over 55 team.
BC Amateur Sport Fund:
The BC Amateur Sport
Fund seeks to raise funds to benefit amateur sport initiatives in the province of
British Columbia by partnering with Sport BC’s Provincial Sport Organizations
(“PSO”) and their member clubs on projects that promote participation,
competition, or governance of sport. Administered by Sport BC,
the Fund is the BC chapter of the Canadian Council of Provincial &
Territorial Sport Federations (“CCPTSF”), a Registered Canadian Amateur
Association (“RCAAA”) with qualified donee status established in 1980 to
promote amateur athletics across Canada.
Donors can make a gift to the Fund benefiting the Paul Myers Athletic
Centre online at http://support.bcamateursportfund.org/P0549 or can contact the Fund at bcasf@sportbc.com for more information.
About Sport BC
Sport BC believes in the power of sport and is committed to
building stronger communities through positive sport experiences. Our goal is
to enhance and support sport participation in British Columbia ensuring
everyone has the opportunity to thrive through sport. Through KidSport BC, BC
Amateur Sport Fund, and BC Women and Sport along with our services Sport BC
Insurance, and Payroll and Group Benefits; Sport BC supports our seventy-eight
member organizations. Keep up to date @SportBC #PoweredBySportBC
Media Contact:
Betty Dodson
West Van FC Communications
604-926-1757
communications@westvanfc.com
