Board Meeting Highlights
April 25, 2005
The following information is intended to provide quick highlights of this scheduled Board meeting. Every attempt has been made to summarize these highlights as accurately as possible; however, the complete and official minutes will be posted on the web site on the Monday one week prior to the next scheduled Board meeting.
Meeting Agenda - April 25, 2005
CHAIR'S REPORT
The Chair gave an account of two Park Board employees who had recently made the news - Apprentice Gardener Jennifer Keskula, an up and coming local boxing talent, and Recreation Programmer and former lifeguard Darwyn Hermann, who carried out a ocean rescue while on holiday in Costa Rica. She also invited the public to the official opening of the new Renfrew Pool this Friday afternoon.
GENERAL MANAGER'S REPORT
A number of issues related to the Park Board are on Council and Committee agendas this week: a Report on the GetOut! Youth Legacy Program - Phase #1 Summary and Phase #2 Action Plan which seeks funding; awarding of Celebration Grants to community based arts and culture groups to put on events (such as summer festivals at CRAB Park, Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Gardens and Hastings Park); Contract Extension for Ray-Cam Cooperative Asssociation, providing funding to operate four needed social service programs; 2004 City Annual Financial Reports, summarizing the state of Vancouver's finances; and Carrall Street Greenway Concept Design.
PRESENTATION
Vancouver Youth Week, now in its 10th year, is being celebrated from May 1 to 8, with a host of sport, recreational, arts, cultural and education events and activities planned across the City. The Park Board is a proud partner in the special week, with Britannia Community Centre as the host agency and staff at 14 other community centres involved.
STAFF REPORTS
Carrall Street Greenway
The Board received for information a report on the Carrall Street Greenway, a public corridor for pedestrians and cyclists which will connect the Burrard Inlet and False Creek waterfronts. This link will complete an 18 km recreational loop round the downtown peninsula and Stanley Park. The Greenway passes by many parks and public open spaces (CRAB Park at Portside, Maple Tree Square, Pigeon Park, Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Gardens, Andy Livingstone Park, and future extension of Creekside Park). As well it crosses three important historic neighborhoods - Gastown, Downtown Eastside and Chinatown. A conceptual design has been prepared with the public. The Board enthusiastically supported the plan and recommended approval by Council.
Get Out! Youth Legacy Program Action Plan
Get Out! Youth Legacy was launched in 2003 to encourage young people to be more active and involved in arts, culture and sports. It has been an innovative and effective way to meaningfully engage youth. An update on Phase #1 activities was given including pilot recreation programs, grants to youth, partnership grants and research findings. Phase #2 will build on the work to date, and focus on securing fund to sustain the program over time. The Board supported a recommendation that Council approve $200,000 for the implementation of the next phase.
Kerrisdale Park/Point Grey Secondary School Artificial
Turf
Project: Consultant Contract and License Agreement
A milestone in the lit synthetic playing field project has been reached, with the awarding of the contract for consultant services to R. F. Binnie & Associates, who will develop the design and construction drawings. Time line for field development is to begin construction in July and to be completed by November of this year. Under the proposed license agreeement with the City, Park Board and School Board, the new field will be used by Point Grey Secondary during school hours and by community groups the balance of the time. The Park Board will have care, custody and management of this land.
Adminstrative Report - New Regular Positions
Three regular full-time CUPE 15 positions were approved - Asbestos Program Technician, Maintenance Technician II, and Clerk for Stanley District Office. These new positions consolidate auxiliary assigments into regular full-time as the functions have evolved.
Daycare Portables in Parks
Park Board staff continue working to execute the agreements with childcare societies operating in portables on parkland in Burrard View Park, China Creek Park and Kits Area Park Site, to reflect the changes in ownership related to BC Buildings Corporation. These agreements will give the societies authority to operate their current services until they are replaced by another structure.
NEXT MEETING
The next regular meeting of the Park Board is at 7:00 pm on Monday, May 9th at 2099 Beach Avenue.
Top