Hastings Park History

Hastings Park has a long and complex history, with a diverse set of stakeholders. Over the years the uses and development for the site has evolved to accommodate many needs and uses, both green and active.

Hastings Park was granted to the City by the Province in 1888.  Throughout most of the past 100 years, the site has been home to two institutions – the Pacific National Exhibition (PNE) and the Hastings Racecourse.

Detailed history 1995 - present

Historical Timeline

• 1889: Hastings Park site given to City of Vancouver by Province of British Columbia
• 1892: Racetrack opened at Hastings Park
• 1907: Vancouver Exhibition Association (VEA) founded, later named Pacific National Exhibition (PNE)
• 1910: Annual Fair opened
• 1926: Seasonal amusement attraction Happyland opened (now Playland)
• 1942: Japanese Canadians interned at Hastings Park, before being relocated to the interior of BC
• 1954: Empire Games
• 1972 to 2003: PNE operated as a provincial Crown Corporation & leased a portion of the site from the City of Vancouver
• 1997: Hastings Park Restoration Concept Plan finalized
• 1997 to 2001: Creation of Sanctuary, Italian Gardens and Empire Fields
• 2003: Vancouver named Host City of 2010 Olympic & Paralympic Winter Games, Pacific Coliseum to hold figure skating & short-track speed-skating competitions
• 2004: Province transferred ownership & management of PNE to City of Vancouver
• 2004: City-wide consultation process ‘Help Shape the Future’ involving over 1500 people identified a vision for the future of Hastings Park & the PNE
• 2004: Vancouver City Council reviewed 4 redesign approaches and approved a combination of two options, one that balances green space and active uses.
• 2007: Vancouver City Council approves Hastings Park Implementation Plan Process, the goal of which is to realize Council’s 2004 direction for the site
• 2009: Hasting Park PNE Master Plan is initiated.

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