Ron Andrews Recreation Centre

I’m reviewing just the daycamp (for school-​aged kids) aspect of this Centre. I’m not a fan of so many camps shuffling kids all the way across town and back via public transit every camp day, but this is the case with most I’ve found so far, so I’m not going to deduct points for that. When I shared my concerns that my kid (youngest in the group) might get lost in the shuffle (as he can), they attached a volunteer to him, to ensure he was always connected with the group. My kid adored her. The camp also provided bright camp shirts for the kids to wear on public outings, as an added safety measure. Also, the variety of crafts that week was excellent. I always wish camps would skip the junk food; I was so happy to find that at this one it was very minimal or non-​existent. All the leaders seemed to know the kids in their care by the end of the first day. I was so grateful for their quality care of my child. I was impressed with a number of things, and made a point of visiting the program director personally to say so. She was happy to hear it, noting that they been implementing comprehensive care and safety training and details. It showed!

Sure, it‘s a little run down,
Nah, it‘s not made for roid monkeys, and
Ya, you bet! it‘s a small community gym,
but for us locals, us regulars, it’s a gem.
With its caring down-​to-​earth staff, split gym, pool and hot tub, steam and sauna, fitness classes, racquetball court and preschool, Ron Andrews (RA) keeps the community vibe fresh and flowin‘strong. Maintaining a steady mixed demographic of preschoolers, moms, teens, fitness buff regulars and aquasizing steam-​lovin‘ seniors, RA is a hub for the North Van community and it keeps us connected. And yes, it represents us better than the North Vancouver Boyz on Youtube ;)
It oozes community factor and awesomeness… all because of the staff.
They listen.
After renos of the gym were completed a couple years back, the staff posted a bulletin: How do you like the new changes? Suggestions for improvement? [Suggestion box]. Though I liked the new layout very much, I submitted 4 suggestions after a few test-​run workouts: more mats, add a full length mirror to the mat area, switch the location of a treadmill with another fitness machine because it’s a little dangerous, and perhaps have a themed dance music night for a couple hours. And Voila! Within a week, my first 3 suggestions were implemented, and a basic questionnaire to have a dance music night went up. Community feedback is always encouraged here.
They motivate.
One of my friends began eating healthy and working out regularly to shed off a few extra pounds. She had been succeeding and gaining great results with her fitness plan. Noticing her change, the Weight Room Supervisor acknowledged that she was lookin great, ended up reviewing her food plan and providing healthy eating tips, and offered a couple personal training sessions if she could reach her next goal, which she did. How’s that for motivation? ;)
They care.
Proactive, helpful, kind and continuously working to make it the best community centre it can be, the staff make RA the epitome of a well-​run community centre. Core to their credo is community-​mindedness.
So by the looks of it, it’s just your everyday reccentre with an average weight room and pool, but when you get to know it, you realize its the heart of our community… in the District of North Vancouver :)