Bonsor Community Center
Bonsor Community Center is a great little venue to have a birthday, group or less formal type of event. As most community center rentals are cost-effective, I am sure this holds true of Bonsor…but check the link on pricing just to be sure to. It is similar in a lot of ways to the Delbrook community center.
Parking is a little tight at Bonsor. It is a very active and popular community center so there is often difficulty finding parking. The fact it is free is also a reason that parking is at a premium there. I did not notice if there was underground parking, so again, best to check the link. I spent about fifteen minutes looking for a place to park so best have your vendors work this into the schedule for arrival.
Once parking is found, getting into the center is quite easy. Entranceways and hallways are level and getting from the parking lot to the main door, with equipment loaded on a cart, or for a mobility-challenged guest in a wheelchair, is quite smooth.
There are elevators to move between floors and access to bathrooms is also handicapped friendly.
There are few venue rooms on the second floor but the main one is Active Studio 1. It is located just down the hall from the second-floor elevator so any equipment, decorations, etc, can be easily transported to the room.
The room itself is quite large and probably could accommodate over a hundred guests. The tables and chairs can be arranged to suit your event although everything is self serve…meaning you or your guests would have to do it. There are no table cloths either so if you wanted the tables and chairs skirted, you would have to bring those items. Typically, restaurant venues are better equipped for this type of accommodation.
A nice thing about the room is that it does have a small kitchen with a stove and fridge. If you were to hire a catering company and they would have what they would need. As well, if you were to serve a meal yourself, the facilities are there to do that. Most of our venue reviews go over what locations handle catering well.
I did notice a drop-down projection screen but not a projector. I am not sure if they rent one or if you would have to bring one if you wanted to do a video or slideshow presentation.
They do have a podium on wheels and a wireless microphone for your speeches, The in-ceiling speakers are adequate for speeches and perhaps low-level background music.
I do like the full-length wall mirrors. This makes the room feel more spacious and enhances any lighting you may have if you are having a dance floor.
The staff is friendly and helpful in getting out any extra table and chairs but you must do the cleanup and any arranging of the furniture yourself.
Bonsor Community Center works very well for those events where just a venue room is needed for an event. It is nothing fancy but the venue is clean, well kept, safe and accessible for all of your guests, I give the venue a 3.5 out of 5 stars.
Check out what I thought about the Hilton Metrotown venue!