Park Board Chair Heather Deal speaks to media and guests The Sanctuary in Hastings Park il Giardino Italiano gardens 30 acres of park land have been restored

VANCOUVER - The province has reached an agreement with the City of Vancouver that helps strengthen local involvement in shaping the Pacific National Exhibition of the future. Effective Jan. 1, 2004 the city will take over the management and operation of the PNE.

Minister of Competition, Science and Enterprise Rick Thorpe and City of Vancouver Mayor Larry Campbell made the announcement today.

"The PNE is very important to the residents of Vancouver and the city is best suited to manage its role in the community into the future," said Thorpe. "We were delighted to work co-operatively with the city to come to this resolution. The PNE generates annual economic benefits for the Vancouver region of about $115 million, so we are very pleased to see that it will continue to operate."

"The park and the PNE are part of the historic fabric of our city," said Mayor Campbell. "We welcome this opportunity to find a new role for the PNE's fair and Playland, both of which have a significant impact on our local economy. Over the next few months, the city and the park board will work with all stakeholders and the citizens of Vancouver to develop a vision for how and in what form the PNE could remain at Hastings Park."

The transfer is scheduled to be complete by Jan. 1 to allow time to complete changes necessary to ensure the transfer is as seamless and inexpensive as possible. The city anticipates the PNE will operate through 2005.

"Since the adoption of the Hastings Park Restoration Plan in 1997, local residents and visitors have enjoyed the ecology of the Sanctuary, the architecture of the il Giardino Italiano gardens and the athletic opportunities of Empire Bowl playing fields," said Heather Deal, chair, Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation. "The Vancouver park board is committed to the continued greening of Hastings Park, and looks forward to working closely with the city, the PNE and the public towards the new vision of a fair in the park."

The PNE encompasses the fair, Playland and annual building rental and facility operations. It employs 150 full-time and 3,850 part-time people throughout the year. Playland, British Columbia's premier amusement park, opens April 18.

Visit the province's Web site at http://www.gov.bc.ca for online information and services.