Community Centre
JBCC opened its doors to the public in August 2004. The history that led to the Centre’s opening is about inclusion and respect for the Lower Lonsdale community. In the mid 1990’s, The City of North Vancouver, realizing change was imminent, initiated an extensive consultation process with residents and businesses on how best to manage and benefit from development in the area.
Many needs and issues were identified but a common theme from the discussions was the need for a multi-purpose facility offering a mix of social, cultural, health and recreation programs ; the centre of a vibrant, active community.
Accordingly, the City identified the North Vancouver Recreation Commission, the North Shore Neighbourhood House and Vancouver Coastal Health as key partners both in planning and in the eventual operation of the proposed community centre.
Working closely with the community, plans were drafted to create the Centre.
In November 2003, the first JBCC Governance Committee was appointed by the City, comprised mainly of Lower Lonsdale citizens along with representatives of the partner agencies to represent the community ensure effective and efficient management of the partnership and operations of the Centre.
Less than a year later, the JBCC welcomed its first community members in August 2004, and today continues to develop as the heart of the Lower Lonsdale community.
Who is John Braithwaite?
Who is the man behind the Centre that is named after him? Many people will recognize John Bismark Braithwaite’s face in the newspaper, magazines, and other prominent places, and most of us know he has been a prominent and well known figure in our community.
What some may not know is John Braithwaite has served his community for more than 46 years and continues to remain an active voice – committed to his passion for human rights, social welfare, community participation, sustainable development, affordable housing and sound planning.
John Braithwaite has worked with the community since 1956 when he arrived in the City of North Vancouver. He was the Executive Director of the North Shore Neighbourhood House during the mid-1950s and later was the City’s Councilor for nine successful terms.
He retired from public office in 2002, but John Braithwaite continues to work relentlessly as a community worker and administrator with diverse groups, organizations and Council Committees. He advocates and promotes healthy and active life with North Vancouver’s youth by coaching soccer and basketball.
Awards and Recognition
John Braithwaite has received the following recognition for his community service and contributions to human rights:
- The National Black Award (1973)
- A Black Historical Society of British Columbia Community Service Award (1983)
- Canada 125 Medal (1992)
- In 1993, Braithwaite was appointed by Cabinet to the Judicial Council of B.C. The North Shore Neighbourhood House has also honoured him for outstanding community service.
- Freedom of the City of North Vancouver (2003) for his extraordinary accomplishments and contributions to the community.
- June 2004, John Braithwaite received a prestigious honour from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) for his exceptional contributions to civic politics.
Governance & Policies
Governance Committee
The Governance Committee of the John Braithwaite Community Centre (JBCC) operates within the existing policy frameworks of the Centre's three partners: the City of North Vancouver, the North Vancouver Recreation Commission and North Shore Neighbourhood House. The Committee ensures effective and efficient management of the partnership and is responsible for:
- Community engagement
- Supporting fundraising and public relations activities
- Strategic planning
- Policy development
- Ensuring programs reflect the needs of the community
- Adherence to JBCC's Governance Principles (adopted by City Council and the partners) and the Partnering Agreement.
Once the Governance Committee has approved a policy, it is the responsibility of the Centre Manager and staff to implement it. Certain policies are specific to each of JBCC's partners as employers. For more information, download our InformationPackage.pdf (628k).
Have a specific policy question?
Please email the Centre Manager or call 604-982-8310.
Governance Committee Composition
In keeping with achieving a "local autonomous community-based governance structure" (section 5.1 of the Governance Principles approved by City Council and the Partners), appointees to the Governance Committee are general citizens. Committee members initially serve 2-year terms, with a maximum of two consecutive terms (4 years). The committee is comprised of:
- A North Shore Neighbourhood House (NSNH) Board Member appointee
- A North Vancouver Recreation Commission (NVRC) Commissioner appointee
- A representative from North Vancouver City Council (non-voting)
- Eight North Vancouver residents, at least five of whom must be Lower Lonsdale citizens appointed by City Council
The Governance Committee receives support from the Centre Manager and the Partnership Staff Committee.
Current Governance Committee Members
| Jo Hinchliffe | Chair, Lower Lonsdale resident |
| Daniel Hill | Vice Chair, North Vancouver resident |
| Councillor Craig Keating | City of North Vancouver representative |
| Snover (Sunney) Baines | Lower Lonsdale resident |
| Cheryl Leia | North Vancouver Recreation Commission representative |
Partnership Staff Committee
The Partnership Staff Committee, comprised of staff representatives from each of the three partner organizations, provides policy support and advice to the Governance Committee and operational support and advice to the Centre Manager to ensure the interests of the three partners are being met in the operation of the JBCC.
* Links to external sites are provided for your convenience only. John Braithwaite Community Centre is not responsible for the accuracy and/or completeness of the information provided on these external sites, nor for the security and privacy policies of the linked sites.