RONDA PAYNEnews@langleyadvance.com

Filled with unique shops and districts within itself, downtown Langley has seen some transformation

over the past few years, the most noticeable addition happening in February 2016 when the new Timms Community Centre was opened to the public.

The new centre is two floors of activity, fitness, and social connection within one modern building seamlessly attached to City hall and the Fraser Valley Regional Library downtown Langley branch. It makes for the ideal civic centre and hub of activity for Langley’s downtown.

Teri James, executive director with the Downtown Langley Business Association, said the addition is beneficial to the entire downtown.

“I believe that having a strong municipal and recreational hub in the downtown core is going to draw people to us,” she said. “I think it’s going to be extremely positive.”

A vast atrium is filled natural light, wood and other finishes to inspire an appreciation of life on the West Coast. Users of the new Timms Community Centre will find everything they expect from a community facility and more. The gymnasium is home to scheduled programs and events as well as drop-in sports like pickle-ball, volleyball, and

basketball. Off the gymnasium is state-of-the-art spin class room with the audio/visual equipment to enhance a spin bike experi-ence.

Those looking for cardio and weights will find them in the fully stocked weight room, com-plete with TechnoGym equip-ment connects with peoples smart phones. Then there is the games room, ideal for youth and seniors to enjoy cards, ping-pong, and even electronic gaming. Off the weight room and the games room is a unique outdoor gym area where a rubberized surface is pos-itioned within the concrete for outdoor activ-ities.

Upstairs are four multi-pur-pose rooms suitable for anything from a group meeting to an art class. Plus, there is a community kitch-en attached to one of the rooms to allow for cooking classes and group meals. The upstairs fitness room has a sprung wood floor making it ideal for Zumba and aerobic classes.

Perhaps one of the most excit-

ing elements of the new Timms Community Centre is the indoor fitness track. The three-lane track offers a view of the gym as well as the outdoors while users walk or run in a comfortable controlled environment.

When all the excitement and activity has taken its toll, stop for a while at the café in the atrium.

Not only has the addition of this new facility brought a one-of-a-kind gathering place to the downtown core, it has also continued with the enhance-ment of the area. New side-walks with trees, benches, and pedestrian-focused details give the area a welcoming feel. A

new clock tower, reminiscent of town-centre clocks, was donated by the Langley Rotary Club and is located to the north of the Timms Community Centre, add-ing another special touch to the civic centre experience.

“There’s huge plans for green space around the community centre,” James said. “People just feel compelled to gather

around it. [Greenspaces] are extremely important in any commun-ity, but I’m glad they’re in ours.”

The Timms official open-ing was in February but watch for the Timms Community Centre open house April 9 and lots of community activities throughout the year.

North of the Timms Community Centre, residents will find a thriv-ing entertainment hub at the Cascades Casino and Coast Hotel and Convention Centre. Aside from table games and slot machines, there’s the Summit Theatre with its many concerts and other events. The conference

centre upstairs is home to num-erous community events and is a popular choice for wedding and business meetings, trade shows, charity fundraisers, and political gatherings.

East of the civic centre is a thriving core of retail activity complete with independent shops and restaurants.

Another recently completed enhancement in the area is McBurney Lane. Decked out with wood sidewalks, trees, planters, places to sit and more, the new McBurney Lane is a wonderful place to enjoy the weather or to take in one of the many community activities held in the space. From summer arts events to Christmas festivals, McBurney Lane has become a popular home to downtown family fun.

Near McBurney Lane is the popular Douglas Park. Outfitted with a bandshell through the 2010 Winter Olympics legacy program, Douglas Park has played host to a range of events from summer evening dances to local bands. Each each September, the Langley Good Times Cruise-In uses the park for its Concours d’Elegance, the showcase of the rarest and most unique vintage vehicles at the charity car show.

With a new downtown hub and plenty to see and do, down-town Langley is the place to be for fun, food, fashion and so much more.

LangleyAdvance Welcome to the Neighbourhood, 2016 A33DOWNTOWN

Langley Advance files

In Douglas Park, with its distinctive bandshell, the Langley Good Times Cruise-In showcases the most unique vehicles at the annual auto show.

A revitalized downtown has so much to explore

The City of Langley core is a hub of activity, dining, shopping and more.

Heather Colpitts/Langley Advance

On Feb. 24, Eduardo Quino, nine, went to the Timms Community Centre grand opening with family and checked out the workout room. The grand opening was packed with people anxious to see the new $14.3 million facility, including the elevated walking/running track.