Bowen Island Municipality has received national recognition from the Canadian Association of Municipal Administrators (CAMA) for its Bowen Island Community Centre project.
The municipality was awarded the 2026 CAMA Willis Award for Innovation in the Under 20,000 population category during CAMA’s national conference held in Whistler, B.C.
The award recognizes outstanding municipal programs, projects, and services that demonstrate innovative approaches and deliver meaningful benefits to local governments and their communities.
After decades of community-led planning, the Bowen Island Community Centre (BICC) opened in 2025 as a versatile hub integrating arts, culture, recreation, and civic services in a single, accessible location. The project represents the largest capital investment in the municipality’s history, with a total cost of nearly $19 million.
The facility features:
- A professional performing arts venue with 179 retractable seats
- Multi-purpose programming and community meeting spaces
- A fitness studio and weight room
- The new Municipal Hall with centralized civic services.
By co-locating these services, the Centre enhances accessibility while improving operational efficiency and long-term financial sustainability.
Since opening, the 15,000-square-foot facility has quickly become the island’s “living room,” fostering social engagement, creativity, and community connection. The project is also being recognized as a replicable governance and service delivery model for small communities across Canada.
