Board Meeting Highlights
June 26, 2006
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 - June 26, 2006
CHAIR'S REPORT
On Thursday, the Park Board and the Vancouver School Board celebrated the official opening of the new artificial turf playing field at Kerrisdale Park/Point Grey Secondary School. Douglas Park hosted a celebration of its 80th birthday with the unveiling of new commemorative plaques. The Chair recently met with BC's Premier and Minister of Tourism, Sports and the Arts to discuss the work of the Park Board.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
On the last Finance Committee agenda were updates on JCC Maccabi Games, 2006 Budget Initiatives and Indemnity Agreements, Prospect Point Lease Renewal and 2006 Fees & Charges. Planning Committee agenda included New Brighton Volleyball, Coalition of Handi Dart Users, Art in the Garden, Strathcona Community Gardens Wetland, Vancouver International Sculpture Biennale, Get Out!, and Vancouver Aquarium Technical Review and Public Consultation Process.
GENERAL MANAGER'S REPORT
Park Board-related item on Council and Committee agenda this week is the Capital Budget Status Report.
STAFF REPORTS
Stanley Park
Commemorative Donation
The Board accepted a donation of $800,000
from the Federal Government for the creation
of a children's playground and other improvements
in Stanley Park dedicated to the memory of
the victims of the bombing of Air India Flight
#182. Ceperley Park playground and surrounding
area will be redeveloped for play and recreation
and to include a place for an annual commemorative
event. Lees and Asscociates Consulting has
been appointed as landscape architects to
conceptualize, design and manage the project
including a public consultation process.
The project is intended to be complete by
June 1, 2007.
Sport Hosting
and Vancouver Sport Strategy
The Council report seeking approval to target
and expand civic support for sporting events
was endorsed. Recommendations include continuing
the partnership with 2010 Legacies Now/Hosting
BC for another 2 years; establishing a Sport
Hosting Policy and Grant Program with annual
funding; and developing a comprehensive Sport
Strategy for Vancouver. The initiative, which
will be led and administered by the Park
Board, looks to take advantage of the many
sport tourism opportunities and benefits
as the city prepares to host the world in
2010.
New Park for
Marpole: Construction
The contract to build the new park and playground
at West 72nd Avenue and Osler Street was
awarded to Cedar Crest Lands BC for $441,582.
After extensive community input, the Marpole
park will feature both active and passive
spaces and will reflect the Japanese heritage
of the area as its theme. It is expected
to be completed by late Fall.
Harbour Green
Park Restaurant Consultant
The recently developed Concessions Strategy
includes a new restaurant at the east edge
of Harbour Green Park next to the new Convention
Centre expansion project. The
Board awarded a contract for architectural
services, up to and including all submissions
required for approval of a Development Permit,
to Acton Ostry Acrhitects Inc. for a fee
of $80,000 . The 400 seat, two level facility
will be a public private partnership arrangement.
Capital Budget
Updates
The periodic review on the status of capital
projects improves monitoring of project costs
and ensures funds are available for all capital
projects. The Board endorsed the recommendations
in the Council report on Capital Program
Status Review. Park Board budget is $53.6
million with an unspent balance of $11.3
million as at December 31, 2005.
2006 Fees & Charges
A revised schedule of fees and charges was adopted
to reflect the July 1st reduction of 1% in GST recently
announced by the Federal Government. Parking rates
at dispensers which do not give change will not be
adjusted, nor will fees on activities such as swimming
lessons which do not have a GST component. The changes
support active, healthy living by lowering barriers
to participation at fee collecting facilities.
NOTICE OF MOTION
Commissioner Robertson submitted a Notice of Motion related to safety and security initiatives in parks and open spaces. The motion will be brought forward at the July 10th meeting.
NEXT MEETING
The next regular meeting of the Park Board will be held at 7:00 pm on Monday, July 10, 2006 at Trout Lake Community Centre.
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