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 website on the Monday one week prior to the next scheduled Board meeting.
Meeting Agenda - September 21 , 2009
The Chair reported on the Park Board's participation this summer in the Celebration of Lights Fireworks, the City's Pride Parade float, India Days at Sunset Community Centre, and the Annual Donor Recognition event. He also invited the public to attend this week's free skates at Killarney and Trout Lake ice rinks, part of their official openings. A City proclamation of 'Wild Salmon Month' was read, including information on the Salmon Celebration festival in Vanier Park.
The Chair announced the retirement of General Manager Susan Mundick and thanked her for the many years of contribution to parks and recreation. The Board will move to an open recruitment and hiring process for the General Manager position.
The Board accepted a generous donation in the amount of $10,000 from Quiksilver Canada to assist in improvements to the Downtown Skate Plaza.
On the last Planning and Environment Committee agenda were Community Meetings for the Committee, Synturf Site Selection, Biennale Returning Art/Donation, Trout Lake Community Centre Development Permit/Design, Capital Projects Overview and Komagata Maru Memorial . The last Services and Budget Committee agenda included Community Meetings for the Committee, Vancouver Services Review, Operating Budget Update August 2009 and HST Impact.
Park Board related items on Council agenda this week: H1N1 virus update and update on the Provincial Budget 2009.
Bicycle Skills Area - Vanier Park
The Board approved the installation of a BMX/Mountain Bike skills area in a section of Vanier Park. The youth park facility will next proceed to the design stage.
Extension of License with City of Vancouver re Captain Cook Park - Gingerbread House
The licence agreement with the City of Vancouver was renewed for the use of a portion of Captain Cook Park for a small fenced play area for the adjacent Gingerbread House Daycare - subject to Council's renewal of the operating lease including the term with the childcare operator.
Design for VanDusen Botanical Garden New Visitor Centre
The Board approved the concept design for VanDusen's new Visitor Centre Development Permit Application. The new centre will be a 'living building', with the most up-to-date principles of sustainability.
Vancouver International Sculpture Biennale - Returning Sculpture: Walking Figure
The sculpture Walking Figures by Magdalena Abakanowicz will be returned as part of a Vancouver International Biennale temporary installation to a new location at English Bay.
Public Art Donation - Echoes 2003
The Board accepted the donation of Echoes 2003 by artist Michel Goulet from the Vancouver International Biennale. The work will be installed in front of the Watermark Restaurant at Kitsilano Beach.
The next regular Park Board meeting will be held at 7 pm on Monday, October 5, 2009 at 2099 Beach Avenue.