The only access to the fitness centre in the gym on the second floor of the West Point Grey Community Centre is a set of narrow, steep stairs.

Raymond Greenwood, vice president of the West Point Grey Community Centre Association, says the entire community centre and grounds, located on West Second Avenue near Trimble Street, lacks appropriate access for people in wheelchairs and mothers with strollers.

"One of the park board's promises is that they ensure availability and accessibility for everyone," said Greenwood. "And the accessibility here is non-existent."

That lack of accessibility is one of several reasons the association wants the park board to approve a renovation project in its next capital plan. If approved, the $4-million project will include a new accessible fitness centre to be built on the west side of the gym and renovated washrooms.

The doorways of the gym's washrooms are too narrow to allow a wheelchair. The association also wants to improve access between the main building--Aberthau Mansion--and the gym. The mansion, a heritage Tudor-style home built in 1913, has no access besides stairs between the first and second floors. The association wants to add a stair lift in an area separate from the mansion's grand, dark-wood staircase, as well as build a new pottery building. The plan is to better connect the three buildings that make up the community centre into what will be called Aberthau Village.

Greenwood showed the Courier a letter it received this week from the B.C. Coalition of People With Disabilities in support of the proposed improvements. In the letter executive director Jane Dyson writes: "Our community frequently experiences barriers to accessing healthy leisure activities and we are consequently thrilled to hear about your association's project to make the West Point Grey Centre fully accessible."

Greenwood said the association began consulting with the community two years ago though open houses and workshops to see what the centre's neighbours want in a renewal project. Architects Jennifer Marshall and Shelley Craig of Urban Arts Architecture compiled the information gathered at those events and created three concepts based on the economic, social and environmental needs of the centre and community. Greenwood said association president Bill Moran recently made a presentation regarding the project at a park board committee meeting on community centre renewal and project priorities. He notes based on that meeting, in September parks staff will make recommendations regarding which projects are considered a priority for the 2011-2013 capital plan.

Craig said when Urban Arts got involved with the project in 2008, the centre clearly lacked accessibility and was bursting at the seams. She added the architects considered all of the feedback offered by the community.

"So we want to develop those approaches, while still maintaining and respecting the building and heritage garden," she said.

Greenwood belongs to the committee raising money for the project, which has raised almost 10 per cent of the $4 million needed. Greenwood hopes a rich donor will step up to the plate and donate the money needed in exchange for having the new building named after them.

"Heck, we'd call it the Sandra Thomas building if you gave us a couple of million dollars," Greenwood said.

sthomas@vancourier.com