midweek edition WEDNESDAY, JUNE 30, 2010 Vol. 101 No. 52 • Established 1908 • East
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Showboating
Edgy dance festival
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Park board poised for $80 million spending spree Projects must be mostly completed by March 2011 Sandra Thomas Staff writer
With help from federal infrastructure grants and the need to spend money while it’s still available, the park board has voted to move ahead with $80 million in recreation and outdoor projects. “The $80 million has to be spent in one year,” said park board chair Aaron Jasper. “We’re just waiting for the OK from city hall, but I’m confident that’s not a problem.” Last year the federal and provincial governments dedicated $20 billion for what’s called the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund for “shovelready” projects across B.C. to create employment during
the recession. The projects must also be mostly completed by March 2011. The park board is combining $14 million in infrastructure grants with 2010 capital plan funds, which must also be spent before the end of 2011. Jasper said in previous years money earmarked for a project could be reserved no matter how many years it took for that job’s completion. That’s no longer the case for most projects, Jasper said. If $5 million earmarked for a project isn’t spent within a three-year capital plan timeline, that money could go back to general revenue. Jasper added the park board had $20 million left over from the 2005-2008 capital plan, which had originally been earmarked for projects
put on hold because of construction related to the 2010 Olympics. And while the city allowed the park board to include that $20 million in its 2010 operating budget, Jasper isn’t certain that will be the case in the future. “The city is really tightening its belt,” said Jasper. “If you say Project X is going to get done by a certain time, it had better be done.” Once city council gives the board approval to move forward, the $80 million will be divided among large and small projects, the highlights of which are $19.4 million towards the new visitor centre at VanDusen Garden and $18.75 million for the new Trout Lake Community Centre. See COMMISSIONER on page 4
Olympic RV park lost money Point Grey residents opposed site at Spanish Banks, Jericho Beach Sandra Thomas Staff writer
The park board will invest $19.4 million in a new visitor centre at VanDusen photo Dan Toulgoet Garden.
A controversial RV park created to accommodate visitors to the 2010 Olympics not only failed to make a profit, it cost the park board $70,000. Phyllis Tyers, president of the North West Point Grey Home Owners’ Association, said she and many of her neighbours were dreading the Olympics because of concerns regarding the RV camps. They were supposed to hold 300 vehicles at Spanish Banks and Jeri-
cho Beach, across the road from the residents’ homes. “We started a petition and made a presentation to the park board, but it turned out that was a waste of time because nobody showed up,” said Tyers. “It was a non-event.” According to a short report compiled by Philip Josephs, acting co-director of Stanley District, only 145 spots were used with guests staying an average five days. It cost the park board $144,000 to create the RV parks, including $115,000 to hire a contractor to manage them for seven months. See RESIDENT on page 4
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