Vernon’s New Active Living Centre: An East Hill Guide

Q: Does the centre change what East Hill homes are worth?

Nobody can promise that. Amenities are one of many things buyers weigh. Ask Tim Jones about a specific street or home.

East Hill Vernon guide · October 30, 2026

Artist’s rendering of the Active Living Centre exterior, with a white curved upper level, long ribbon windows, a cedar entrance and families walking on the plaza — Artist’s rendering based on City of Vernon design.

Quick answer: The City of Vernon’s Active Living Centre is a new indoor aquatics, fitness and community centre at 3501 43rd Avenue, on the former Kin Race Track lands. The City says it opens in late 2026, and membership pre-sale starts November 1. East Hill’s northern edge is roughly 43rd Avenue too, so for many East Hill households this is a trip along the same avenue, down off the hill and onto the flat.

East Hill families keep asking what is changing around the neighbourhood, and this is the biggest answer for the next few years. Below is what the City has published about the centre, how it fits with life on the hill, and a look back at the racing history underneath it. Everything about the centre itself comes from the City of Vernon, so check vernon.ca/alc before you plan around a date or a feature.

When does it open, and can you join yet?

Not yet, but soon. The City describes the centre as opening in late 2026, and the founding-member pre-sale starts November 1. Founding members get perks that include one free month and a 10-visit guest pass. Rates and membership options are on the City’s Memberships & Rates page, linked from vernon.ca/alc.

Where is it, compared with East Hill?

The address is 3501 43rd Avenue, on the former Kin Race Track lands, beside Kal Tire Place. Our East Hill boundaries guide puts the neighbourhood’s north edge at roughly 43rd Avenue, and the west edge at Pleasant Valley Road and 27th Street. A 35th Street address sits west of that line, on the flatter ground below the hill. So the centre is close to East Hill’s north-western corner, not on the hill itself.

This page gives no drive, walk or bike times, and the City has not published parking or transit details for the finished building. Check your own route on a map and check BC Transit before opening day.

Walking

The way down is easy. The way home is the climb, especially from upper East Hill. Many households will walk one way and ride home.

Cycling

The hill decides it. Our transit and cycling guide covers the downtown links and the trade-offs.

Bus

Route 4 East Hill is the neighbourhood’s own route. Check bctransit.com/vernon for what serves the new centre.

Driving

Construction access is off 43rd Avenue. The City has not yet posted finished parking details, so watch vernon.ca/alc.

What is inside, in plain English

Here is the swimming and spa side, from the City’s feature list.

Eight-lane 50‑metre pool
Two diving boards
Warm‑water teaching pool
Zero‑depth beach entry
WhiteWater waterslide
NINJACROSS challenge course
Sauna, steam room and cold plunge
Family and adult‑only hot tubs

The leisure pool also has the WaveBall, a tot slide and interactive spray features. The 50-metre pool is for lane swimming, competition and training, and the warm-water pool is three lanes of 25 metres for lessons.

And the fitness, play and community side:

Fitness centre: cardio, strength and training
189‑metre indoor track
Double gymnasium
Eight multipurpose rooms
Child minding
Sensory room
Universal washrooms and changerooms
Café by Ratio Coffee & Pastry

The four-lane track is 189 metres, indoors and weatherproof, which matters on a January morning on the hill. The double gym covers basketball, pickleball and volleyball. On-site physiotherapy is by ODYNN Performance Therapy. Castanet reports the City is aiming for the top level (Gold) of the Rick Hansen Foundation’s accessibility certification, though that is a goal, not a rating yet.

Artist’s rendering of the 50-metre pool hall with lane swimmers, a lifeguard and families on the deck

Artist’s rendering of families sitting at the pool edge while a lesson runs in the warm shallow end

Artist’s rendering of a swimmer and a parent with a child in the pool, with diving boards at the far end

Artist’s rendering of the wide pool hall under a timber ceiling with a swimmer and a parent and child

Artist’s rendering based on City of Vernon design. Tap a photo to open the viewer.

Why East Hill households will care

Families with kids. Lakeview Park’s free Peanut Pool is the summer answer. The new centre adds a year-round one, with a teaching pool, a leisure pool and child minding. See our East Hill with kids guide.
Older neighbours and anyone with a steep street. An indoor, weatherproof walking track and a warm-water pool are a good fit for winter. Our pools and parks guide covers what is open in summer.
Teens and active adults. A fitness centre, double gym, diving boards and the NINJACROSS course are all under one roof.
Anyone who values accessibility. Universal washrooms and changerooms and a calm sensory room are on the City’s feature list.

A race track under the pool

The Active Living Centre sits on the old Kin Race Track lands. According to the Vernon Museum & Archives, races began there in October 1891 on land used by rancher Cornelius O’Keefe, and a Jockey Club formed in 1893. By 1911 it was considered the best half-mile track in B.C. The Vernon Days rodeo was held there from the 1940s, the grandstand was lost to arson in July 2014, and the old buildings were demolished in 2019 to 2020.

The pictures below are illustrations, not photographs. Each one is an artist’s recreation based on a Vernon Museum & Archives photograph.

Artist’s recreation of harness racers rounding the track in front of a wooden grandstand

Artist’s recreation of two riders racing round a curve with spectators along the rail and hills behind

Artist’s recreation of the view from inside the grandstand as harness racers pass

Artist’s recreation of families leaning on a fence as a harness racer passes

Artist’s recreation of drivers and horses at the start line while a starter holds a flag

Artist’s recreation of a rodeo rider in front of a full grandstand with early cars parked behind

Artist’s recreation of a rodeo day crowd along the fence beside the grandstand

Artist’s recreation of a rider leaving the chutes with the grandstand and parked cars behind

Artist’s recreation, based on Vernon Museum & Archives photo #3695. Tap a picture to scroll through all of them.

Thinking about East Hill homes?

Tim Jones, PREC*, REALTOR®, Coldwell Banker Executives Realty, is this site’s local expert. Ask him which streets sit where, what a steep driveway means in January, and how East Hill compares with the flat ground near the new centre.

Call Tim: 250-550-6979 Text Tim

Start with buying in East Hill, the East Hill guide or meet Tim. For the whole-of-Vernon view, including other neighbourhoods near the centre, read Sean Phillips’ companion article, Vernon’s Active Living Centre: What’s Inside and Where to Live Nearby.

Common questions

Is the Active Living Centre open?

Not yet. The City says it opens in late 2026, and the founding-member pre-sale starts November 1.

Is it in East Hill?

Not quite. It is at 3501 43rd Avenue, on the flatter ground close to East Hill’s north-western corner, beside Kal Tire Place.

What are the founding-member perks?

The City lists one free month and a 10-visit guest pass, plus more. Details are on vernon.ca/alc.

Does it have a track and a pool?

Yes. A 189-metre, four-lane indoor track, an eight-lane 50-metre pool and a three-lane 25-metre warm-water teaching pool.

Does the centre change what East Hill homes are worth?

Nobody can promise that, so this page does not claim it. Amenities are one of many things buyers weigh. Ask Tim about a specific street or home.

Sources: City of Vernon, Active Living Centre · City of Vernon, design, budget and schedule · Vernon Museum & Archives · Castanet. Opening dates, features and prices are the City’s and may change. This is general information, not advice.