18 ~ Sunset Community Centre
Sunset Community Centre In 1945, the people of Sunset had a vision to build a new community centre. They started by forming a Community Association with the task of creating a new recreation facility in South Vancouver. How could the association raise another $100,000.00 when it took two years to raise $25,000.00? The community needed to do something big. Stan Thomas, President of the Sunset Association in 1947, was sent to Hollywood California to convince Bing Crosby to stage his radio show in Vancouver as a benefit for the construction of Sunset Community Centre. Bing Crosby was the most famous celebrity of his time selling #1 records, starring in popular Hollywood movies and he had the most listened to radio program in North America. Imagine Stan Thomas stepping into his car one rainy October morning to ask this international superstar to come to Vancouver for a benefit fundraiser. What do you think Bing’s response was? Yes! On September 21, 1948 the Bing Crosby Radio Show came to Vancouver and over $26,000.00 was raised in one performance. Following the program, the City of Vancouver contributed the remaining amount and Sunset Community Centre was built. The people of Sunset are a people with a vision. They take risks and they acheive their goals. Today, Sunset Community Centre is over 50 years old and and has just been replaced in 2007, with a new structure 2 blocks east on the Park Board’s Nursery lands along Main Street between 51st and 53rd Avenues. www.mysunset.net