"The practicum really brought everything together for me. I had a great experience at CDI." - George T., CDI College Graduate
The city of Burnaby offers many activities from sports and recreation to shopping and entertainment. Less than 30 minutes by car from downtown Vancouver, Burnaby is a great place to live, work and study. For those who want to leave the car at home, the entire city is accessible by the ever dependable Skytrain and public transit system.
Arts and Culture
For fans of arts and culture, Burnaby is home to numerous museums and galleries. Look back at the city's history at the Burnaby Village Museum and discover what the city looked like in the 1920s. Explore Japanese-Canadian history at the National Nikkei Museum and Heritage Centre. Take in the stunning First Nations art at the Simon Fraser University Museum of Archeology and Ethnology or the contemporary art exhibition at the SFU Art Gallery.
Check out the works of nationally and locally recognized artists at the Burnaby Art Gallery. Visit the Deer Lake Gallery for striking pieces that include acrylics, mixed media and photography by numerous local artists.
Theatre lovers should visit the Shadbolt Centre for the Arts to catch a musical, comedy or opera. The Michael J. Fox Theatre frequently hosts Cantonese operas and concerts by the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra.
Outdoor Activites
Nature and outdoor enthusiasts can take advantage of Burnaby's numerous gardens and parks. Beautiful Deer Lake Park offers much to see and do: boating, hiking, magnificent gardens, and fine dining at the Hart House Restaurant. The park also hosts festivals and concerts each summer, including the Rhododendron Festival, the Burnaby Blues and Roots Festival, and the spectacular annual concert by the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra.
Those looking to play tennis, pitch-and-putt golf or jog can head over to Central Park on the Vancouver-Burnaby border. Soccer fans can catch a Vancouver Whitecaps game at the park's Swangard Stadium. Bird lovers can head to Burnaby Lake Regional Nature Park to spot herons and eagles in their natural habitat. Hikers and mountain bikers can head up to Burnaby Mountain Conservation Area, near SFU, for an excellent ride and some of the best views of Vancouver.
Burnaby also offers numerous options for the athletic types. The Burnaby Tennis Courts are open to the public. Skaters and hockey players love Burnaby 8-Rinks, the largest ice rink complex in the world. The Burnaby Mountain and Riverway Golf Courses are excellent places to tee up, while the Burnaby Sports Complex offers everything from an indoor pool and archery facilities to soccer fields and a running track.
Those looking to shop will find that Burnaby has something to suit everyone's taste. Metropolis at Metrotown is the largest shopping centre in British Columbia, with over 450 shops, a massive food court, and a multi-screen movie theatre that plays the latest Hollywood blockbusters. Anyone looking for an alternative to Metropolis can visit Crystal Mall, Brentwood Town Centre and Lougheed Town Centre Mall. And for those who want an alternative to shopping malls should head over to Burnaby Heights for the independent bookstores, funky boutiques, trendy coffee shops and excellent Italian and Greek restaurants.