June 2026 on the Shore
Coming up Roses. Photo: Heather Drugge
Summer's officially here — and so is the World Cup! ⚽ Whether you're catching games on the 29-foot screen at Shipyards Commons or dodging the traffic chaos that comes with hosting a global event, June is shaping up to be a hot one. The Shipyards Night Market is back (though it'll need to relocate from June 12 to July 17 to make room for Canada Soccer House), Lynn Valley Days has been cancelled over World Cup policing constraints, and water restrictions are kicking in June 8 thanks to a snowpack sitting at just 15% of historical average. Meanwhile, our municipal councils have been busy with some genuinely significant decisions. Let's dig in.
FIFA World Cup on the Shore. Watch the games on a big screen with a few hundred other people. The excitement of a big GOOOOAAALLLL!
📅 June 11 – July 19, 2026 📍Canada Soccer House at the Shipyards
Photo: Duncan Wilcock
FIFA fever! Photo: Duncan Wilcock
District of North Van single-family zoning consolidation
The District of North Vancouver will replace 19 single-family zones (how does that even happen?) with just two new ones: R1 (Rural and Suburban) and R2 (Urban Detached). The new zones affect almost 20,000 lots across the district. Here’s a round-up of what will change:
What R1 covers: 219 properties outside the Urban Containment Boundary are limited to a house and a secondary suite.
What R2 covers: 19,693 properties inside the UCB permit a house, secondary suite, and coach house (three units total, consistent with existing rules).
The bylaws are headed to a Public Hearing — so if you have opinions about how single-family neighbourhoods should evolve, now's your moment.
Why it matters: While this isn't adding density per se, consolidating 19 zones into 2 dramatically simplifies what's possible on residential lots. The basement and garage changes alone could shift how new homes get designed, favouring above-ground living space and discouraging the dark, flood-prone below-grade suites that create stormwater management headaches. It's a welcome modernization.
Oh, THAT wildflower meadow at Inter-River Park. Photo: Ghislaine Courcelles
Kidical mass on Canada bikes day
There was definitely a kidical mass at this super fun family ride in the City of North Vancouver, where all modes of transportation are welcome and encouraged. Kids, dogs, parents, and friends on wheels hanging out and having fun. What it’s all about (plus donuts!) Thanks to superdad organizer, James Obourne. Don’t miss it next year…
Active transportation improvements to Deep Cove
At its June 1 meeting, District of North Vancouver Council supported staff’s recommendation to begin work on low-cost, interim active transportation improvements between Parkgate Village and Deep Cove.
The Spirit Trail Eastern Extension, the long-term vision for a safe, comfortable corridor to Deep Cove, remains unfunded, with the District requiring at least 50% external funding before proceeding. But anyone who's tried to get down to Deep Cove on a summer weekend knows the situation is brutal: gridlocked traffic, no safe cycling route, and limited alternatives.
What's being explored:
Substantial use of existing trails and road segments with localized improvements
Modest, low-cost measures that could improve safety for some users
Options that won't prejudice the eventual Spirit Trail alignment
The staff report was honest: these interim measures “may not meet a 'comfortable for all' condition,” but they could provide incremental relief while the larger project waits for senior government dollars.
Why it matters: Deep Cove congestion is a perennial frustration. Even modest improvements, like better signage and spot fixes to existing paths, could make a meaningful difference for people on bikes and on foot. Every person not in a car is no longer traffic and leaves space for people who need a vehicle.
Seymour chair on a misty morning. Photo: Ghislaine Courcelles
More stories from betternorthshore
Community events
Harry Jerome Community Recreation Centre Grand Opening
📅 July 25, 2026 📍 Central Lonsdale, North Vancouver Performances and activities to celebrate this long-awaited facility.
Horseshoe Bay Community Market
📅 Every Saturday, June 13 – Oct 10 📍 Horseshoe Bay, West Vancouver Live entertainment, fresh produce, and artisanal goods.
Repair Cafe
Bring in your small appliances, electronics, clothing, bikes, laptops, and more. Together, we’ll do our best to get them working again.
📅Date: June 20, 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
📍Where: West Van Memorial Library
Register here: West Vancouver Repair Cafe
Dogwood, the official flower of British Columbia. Photo: Ghislaine Courcelles
Shore housing roundup
Lynn Valley: Nearly 400 new homes approved
District of North Vancouver Council approved a major mixed-use development of four six-storey buildings replacing the Lynn Valley strip mall and Draycott Gardens townhouse complex. This is the area around the Lynn Valley Village centre, and it's the right kind of densification for a rapidly evolving town centre. Read our story on this development here.
Park Royal North: more apartment towers?
West Vancouver's Local Area Plan for the Park Royal North area (Taylor Way/Marine Drive) could include up to 4,000 new apartments. The provincial housing minister has required that the plan include between 3,000 and 4,000 new apartments. The province has given the municipality until January 2028 to complete the local area plan, with the first quarterly report due this month.
CapU student housing sent back to drawing board
Despite unqualified support for the project from Capilano University itself, North Vancouver District council sent a proposed student housing tower near Capilano University back for rework, citing concerns about transportation challenges (that’s code for ‘parking might be a problem’)and affordability.
Public input opportunities
Chemtrade Public Hearing #3
The District of North Vancouver zoning bylaw prohibits the manufacture of hazardous substances. If the zoning change Chemtrade is asking for goes through, the zoning bylaw would be amended to add an exception to the prohibition on the manufacture of hazardous substances, permitting the manufacture, processing, liquefaction, handling, storage, loading, and shipping of chlorine on District land. To speak at the meeting, register in advance by emailing signup@dnv.org before 3 pm on June 16, 2026. You can speak in person or online.
Maybe there’s a way they can achieve what they want, without destroying the old growth? Let BC Parks know what you think : Take the survey by June 26th. Photo: Heather Drugge
What the new swimming area in Lolo might look like. I’m gonna dive in - you? Image: City of North Vancouver
Harbour Swimming Deck
Check out this cool new addition on LetsTalk. There are pop-up info sesssions and you can take an online survey until June 30. The Swim Deck includes an accessible shallow pool, 50-metre swim lanes, a jumping platform and lounging and seating areas. If you’ve ever had a swim at the 2nd Beach or Kits pools, you’ll know how cool it is to swim right beside the ocean. This is actually in the ocean. (Yes, they checked out pollution levels, and it’s not.)
Bunchberries in bloom along Upper Mosquito Creek. Photo: Heather Drugge
Where on the Shore?
The first person to send us an email with the location of this arch will receive a Better North Shore T-shirt. (Past winners are ineligible) hello@betternorthshore.ca Photo: Heather Drugge
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