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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