The Prince Rupert Civic Centre Association was formed on August 24, 1942. The Gyro Club and Rotary Club and been pursuing indoor recreational facilities such as a YMCA with a swimming pool since 1925. In 1934, with the help of the newly formed Junior Chamber of Commerce, plans were drawn up, property was acquired from the city, and fund raising commenced. During the Depression, the Prince Rupret was in need of money and the Gyro and Rotary Clubs loaned money to the city that had been set aside for the centre in exchange for three lots on the corner of McBride Street and Second Avenue. In 1940, the Sons of Norway joined the effort. During the Second World War, YMCA War Services built a recreation centre which the city had set aside for a community centre. This was accomplished by way of an agreement with the Civic Centre Association through an understanding with the government that the Association would purchase the building after the war for ten cents on the dollar. Construction began in 1943. The YMCA's new $200,000 Red Triangle War Services centre was officially opened on February 15, 1945 by Col. C.C. Ferrie. Both Canadian and U.S. naval, army and air force personnel were in attendance including 1,000 Prince Rupert residents that took place in the auditorium. After the war the Civic Centre Association took over the Red Triangle War Services building and opened its doors to the public on March 17, 1946. A regulation size swimming pool was opened on November 4, 1959 on the corner of McBride and First Avenue behind the Civic Centre. The Civic Centre was destroyed by fire on April 20, 1968. The new Civic Centre recreation complex on McBride Street was officially opened October 16, 1971.