George Preston Recreation Centre

One of the few recreational centres having many wheelchair parking spots. The building initially is also wheelchair accessible with ramps and automatic doors, most working. HOWEVER what’s the point having great parking when the viewing platform for the hockey rink is terrible. It’s located on the upper restaurant side in a rink corner! Theres a convoluted set of doors, ramps, hallways and a elevator required to access the only wheelchair viewing platform. It can only accommodate two wheelchairs and a friend. When sitting there the other attendee blocks distal viewing for the other. The platform is set back with tables in front which obscures play along the boards. A large building truss also obscures 25% of the entire rink. Lastly unlike able body viewing the ceilings radiant heat does not reach this area. Not uncommon is many that are wheelchair confined have challenges staying warm. So like most rinks in the lower mainland accessibility was an after thought when building the facility. Seems like the restaurant got priority but is never open for non Rivermen games, daaaah! There could be an opportunity to build an elevated ramp and stage behind the one goal to allow game viewing as there is room. Many older rinks have provided that not so with GP. The two families there that morning to watch their kids play would describe the rink as disappointed and insulting. We didn’t use the washroom so can’t comment on there accessibility.