50 years for Langley’s George Preston Rec Centre, but still no stage

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Next year, Langley’s George Preston Recreation Centre will be celebrating its 50th anniversary, but it still doesn’t have a stage to let centre users celebrate their wins. Built in 1972 as a combined arena, community centre, and curling rink, the George Preston Recreation Centre has hosted the 2020 Canadian Junior Curling Championships, Special Olympics Bonspiel, the Wheelchair Provincial Curling Championships, and numerous fundraisers and galas.

Although there have been many requests to use a stage over the years, the township does not have any that are suitable for use indoors. Staff are suggesting the township purchase an accessible indoor stage for $50,000 in advance of the Langley Pos-Abilities Society’s anniversary event this November. The funding for the stage would come out of the township’s contingency fund, and staff are suggesting a rental fee for the stage’s use could help pay for maintenance, repairs, and replacement.