Rosemary Brown Recreation Centre — Burnaby, BC - People-Named Places on Waymarking.com

The Place

The Rosemary Brown Recreation Centre opened in April 2024 in Burnaby’s Edmonds neighbourhood. This 8,500?m² (92,000?ft²) facility is a modern, inclusive public space featuring two NHL-sized ice rinks, multipurpose meeting rooms, a rooftop viewing patio, a skate shop, and a concession. Designed with a mass timber and steel hybrid structure, the centre prioritizes environmental sustainability with natural lighting, water-saving features, electric vehicle charging stations, and ample bike parking. It includes universal gender-neutral washrooms and change rooms, enhancing accessibility for all users. A public art installation titled “Gliding Edge” by local artist Jill Anholt adds a reflective, visual element that symbolizes movement, resilience, and grace. The centre serves as both a recreational destination and a community landmark, named to honour a groundbreaking Canadian leader.

The Person

Rosemary Brown was a trailblazing advocate for human rights, women’s equality, and racial justice whose contributions helped reshape Canadian society. Born Rosemary Wedderburn on June 17, 1930, in Kingston, Jamaica, she was raised in a family that valued education and public service. She immigrated to Canada in 1951 to attend McGill University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree. She later completed a Master of Social Work at the University of British Columbia. Her early years in Canada were marked by personal encounters with racism and sexism—experiences that profoundly shaped her life's work.

In 1956, Brown co-founded the British Columbia Association for the Advancement of Coloured People (BCAACP), one of the province’s first civil rights organizations. The group focused on fighting discrimination in housing, employment, and public services. Brown also became active in women’s advocacy, helping to establish the Vancouver Status of Women Council, where she served as the first ombudswoman. In the 1960s, she appeared regularly on television and radio, speaking out on issues of race, gender, and poverty. Her reputation as an articulate and fearless advocate made her a natural candidate for political office.

In 1972, Brown was elected to the British Columbia Legislative Assembly as the New Democratic Party MLA for Vancouver–Burrard, making history as the first Black woman elected to a provincial legislature in Canada. She served for 14 years and was re-elected in 1975, 1979, and 1983. During her time in office, Brown worked tirelessly to promote equity in education, employment, and family law. She introduced legislation aimed at eliminating discrimination based on sex, race, and marital status and became a respected voice on issues ranging from seniors’ rights to support for people with disabilities.

In 1975, Brown ran for the leadership of the federal New Democratic Party, becoming the first Black woman and only the second woman to seek leadership of a federal political party in Canada. She finished a strong second, gaining national attention and inspiring a new generation of women and racialized Canadians to enter public life. After retiring from provincial politics in 1986, Brown remained active in public service. She became Chief Commissioner of the Ontario Human Rights Commission and later taught women’s studies at Simon Fraser University. She was also a founding member of the Canadian Women’s Foundation.

Rosemary Brown received numerous honours, including the Order of British Columbia, the Order of Canada, and honorary doctorates from multiple universities. She died in 2003, but her legacy as a champion of justice and equality lives on through the institutions that bear her name and the countless lives she influenced.

References

• City of Burnaby – Rosemary Brown Recreation Centre
• Simon Fraser University – Rosemary Brown: A Canadian History Maker
• The Canadian Encyclopedia – Rosemary Brown
• BC Black History Awareness Society – Rosemary Brown
• Jill Anholt Studio – Gliding Edge

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