Attractions and events you'd like to see in Vancouver...a wish list

[EastVanMark]

There's literally hundreds. (if not more)

Shows, and performance artists of all kinds.(Stunts, athletics, comedy, illusionists, erotica just to name a few, but there are literally hundreds more).

But actually, the biggest issue right now for them are the product displays that currently reside in the Forum. (again before people say, "who cares about a hand mop or miracle broom, again not playing to personal tastes, but people do. LOTS of them).

Companies like Apple, Microsoft, Nintendo (there's a super long list) will set up large interactive displays but you need space to accommodate, or you're settling for something lesser than, not as good.

[Vin]

https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/canada-eataly-toronto-photos

Would be lovely to have this in Vancouver: Eataly.

But of course, we are not getting a new mall downtown. Good things will never come here with the limited or without the right space.

[WarrenC12]

Originally Posted by EastVanMark

Oh its much better. Unless you don't like more of stuff in which case it might of been worse. Depends on perspective.

Wynn Proposal: Convention Centre, new marina, extension form Canada Place, 1000 room landmark hotel, International Level Casino. Cost to the public : $0

What we got: Convention Centre. Cost: Roughly $1 Billion.

Yea... maybe. Talk is cheap.

[WarrenC12]

Originally Posted by Migrant_Coconut

Okay, so exactly what kind of attractions are we missing out on? Genuinely curious.

Yes, apparently there's so much we don't understand.

[WarrenC12]

Originally Posted by EastVanMark

There's literally hundreds. (if not more)

Shows, and performance artists of all kinds.(Stunts, athletics, comedy, illusionists, erotica just to name a few, but there are literally hundreds more).

But actually, the biggest issue right now for them are the product displays that currently reside in the Forum. (again before people say, "who cares about a hand mop or miracle broom, again not playing to personal tastes, but people do. LOTS of them).

Companies like Apple, Microsoft, Nintendo (there's a super long list) will set up large interactive displays but you need space to accommodate, or you're settling for something lesser than, not as good.

Can you please give us some specifics that Vancouver doesn't already have? The things you're describing come to town and use higher quality spaces and better locations, namely downtown.

Is Nintendo trying to come here to set something up but says we lack the space? Honest question.

[Vin]

Originally Posted by EastVanMark

There's literally hundreds. (if not more)

Shows, and performance artists of all kinds.(Stunts, athletics, comedy, illusionists, erotica just to name a few, but there are literally hundreds more).

But actually, the biggest issue right now for them are the product displays that currently reside in the Forum. (again before people say, "who cares about a hand mop or miracle broom, again not playing to personal tastes, but people do. LOTS of them).

Companies like Apple, Microsoft, Nintendo (there's a super long list) will set up large interactive displays but you need space to accommodate, or you're settling for something lesser than, not as good.

Arts and culture aside, even interesting retail spaces in lanes and alleys, tall building lounges and restaurants (not necessarily roof-top, but would be a plus), and some interesting urban spaces would be ideal. The City needs to relax the rules regarding development so more exciting projects can take place here. We are literally burying our potential for creativity. Our current system restricting large developments only curtail the profitability of a project. A large scale project can encourage developers to provide better amenities to the public, such as what we see at the new Hudson Yards in NYC.

Other attractions include: 5D screen theatres, compact city centre theme parks (the Berjaya Times Square mall in Kuala Lumpur has an indoor roller coaster!), updated malls and markets, various museums in different spaces, sky gardens (such as the "Walkie Talkie" in London), clean and fun entertainment districts with better law and order enforcement, late night markets, better street furniture and art installations, easier and cheaper vehicular access to the downtown core after rush hours, cheaper entrance tickets to the sad sad Vancouer art gallery ($7 would be a decent price for adults), with longer opening hours, etc.

In London, the British Museum is free and opens till 830pm on Fridays. We charge so much here for some pretty rundown displays, and it's no wonder no locals, and even foreigners, find our city attractions here sub-par.

Imagine if the newer section of our Waterfront convention centre was built with an underground mall connected to the Waterfront Station and Sinclair centre, the entire waterfront would be an exciting place to visit, and people would actually have an excuse to go there. It would even help bring late night foot traffic, locals and tourists alike, to the usually dead Flyover Canada IMAX theatre and the surrounding places. Because of the planner's shortsigntedness, businesses that open late are not doing well around there. COEX in Seoul is a prime example of how vibrant the convention centre is: it has a mall right beneath the exhibition spaces that is directly linked to hotels and other plazas next door, as well as to the subway system.

Most important of all, get rid of all the garbage and disorderliness on our streets!

[SpongeG]

Originally Posted by Vin

https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/canada-eataly-toronto-photos

Would be lovely to have this in Vancouver: Eataly.

But of course, we are not getting a new mall downtown. Good things will never come here with the limited or without the right space.

Eataly will be opening when they can find the right space. According to retail insider they looked at Sinclair Centre but the space was too small.

[SpongeG]

I think whats missing is a few good rooftop or high up lounges or public spaces. Like the rooftop of Ginza Six gives great views. The lookout at Harbour Centre is too expensive and the restaurant is too dated and not that great and expensive.

rooftop of Ginza Six
Tokyo May 2019 by snub_you, on Flickr

[IMG]Tokyo May 2019 by snub_you, on Flickr[/IMG]

Tokyo May 2019 by snub_you, on Flickr

Tokyu Plaza in Harajuku
Tokyo May 2019 by snub_you, on Flickr

Tokyo May 2019 by snub_you, on Flickr

Tokyo May 2019 by snub_you, on Flickr

[Vin]

Originally Posted by SpongeG

Eataly will be opening when they can find the right space. According to retail insider they looked at Sinclair Centre but the space was too small.

Exactly.

[Migrant_Coconut]

Originally Posted by Vin

<Bunch of attractions completely unrelated to the PNE space which is the current subject, disregarding entirely>

Originally Posted by EastVanMark

There's literally hundreds. (if not more)

Shows, and performance artists of all kinds.(Stunts, athletics, comedy, illusionists, erotica just to name a few, but there are literally hundreds more).

But actually, the biggest issue right now for them are the product displays that currently reside in the Forum. (again before people say, "who cares about a hand mop or miracle broom, again not playing to personal tastes, but people do. LOTS of them).

Companies like Apple, Microsoft, Nintendo (there's a super long list) will set up large interactive displays but you need space to accommodate, or you're settling for something lesser than, not as good.

TMU, the small performances like standup and magic are what the Amphitheatre and Colosseum are for.

As for the conventions like E3 or CES, those usually go downtown instead. The PNE is a D-list venue these days.

[WarrenC12]

More rooftop options would be great in Vancouver. Something creative maybe with a retractable roof for the weather. I always like hitting the Keg in Yaletown.

[Migrant_Coconut]

We could use a proper rec centre. Not a lot of bowling or rock-climbing places in the city. Throw in a couple of surfing/golf/X-sports VR booths too.

[EastVanMark]

Originally Posted by WarrenC12

Yea... maybe. Talk is cheap.

Ya, lets not give him a chance, and then just speculate whether or not he would actually built it or not. Thats totally fair and reasonable.

You could say that about almost anything. For example, Vancouver wanted to allow the tallest building in the world to be built last Tuesday, but nobody wanted to, so they declined

[WarrenC12]

Originally Posted by EastVanMark

Ya, lets not give him a chance, and then speculate whether or not he would actually built it or not. Thats totally fair and reasonable.

Hey, I'm not saying it wouldn't have been a good idea and saved us from the BC Libs' insanely over budget, but amazing Convention Centre.

But, it didn't happen, and it will never happen. You can't assume it would be perfect. Gotta move on.

[EastVanMark]

Originally Posted by WarrenC12

Can you please give us some specifics that Vancouver doesn't already have? The things you're describing come to town and use higher quality spaces and better locations, namely downtown.

Is Nintendo trying to come here to set something up but says we lack the space? Honest question.

Those are shows that play at other fairs that could (but can't) come here. I can eat a candy apple at the mall too but then its not quite the same as it is at the fair is it?

If that is the logic used, then lets just shut down the PNE altogether. You can go on rides at the park, you can eat junk food pretty much anywhere, watch shows at better venues, and you can order gadgets pretty much anywhere online.

Then lets go down the list:

-Canucks? You're gone cause Vancouver already has hockey games.
Ditto Lions, Caps, etc
-Comedy Clubs? Let's shut them down because we have funny people telling jokes at home or at a comedy club. Plus online.
-Bars? Restaurants Nah, can buy them much cheaper at the grocery/liquor store and enjoy at home without the needless crowds.
-Speaking of online, bye bye malls. Can get whatever I want online.

You're kinda missing the point behind a fair here. It's not necessarily to have something new, or something you couldn't necessarily see somewhere else, its the fact that its all in one area. And you get to enjoy them all at once. Its not 1935. You don't go to a fair to learn how a telephone works anymore. But you may see a show, a new product, or exhibit that you ordinarily might have to wait or travel to see, all in one area, at one time. Thats sort of the point.

[EastVanMark]

Originally Posted by Migrant_Coconut

TMU, the small performances like standup and magic are what the Amphitheatre and Colosseum are for.

As for the conventions like E3 or CES, those usually go downtown instead. The PNE is a D-list venue these days.

No they can't as I've already explained, you can rarely use venues for more than one thing at the Fair. Magic needs to be indoors. Not outside. Besides, the Amphitheatre is used for other things.

Nothing to do with conventions. Its attractions specifically designed for Fairs. The list is long for acts and attractions that would come here so that people wouldn't complain "its the same stuff every year, I don't need to go for 5 years etc etc" but then don't want to see the PNE don't have the room to accommodate much that is "new".

I can tell by some of the responses most are far too young to remember, but the PNE used to put on music performances that were out of this world back in the 70's. I'm talking 30,000 people attending and multiple shows during the Fair. Now its nowhere near that. Why is that?
Calgary still draws huge acts during their event, why can't we anymore? Hmmmm

[WarrenC12]

Originally Posted by EastVanMark

Those are shows that play at other fairs that could (but can't) come here. I can eat a candy apple at the mall too but then its not quite the same as it is at the fair is it?

If that is the logic used, then lets just shut down the PNE altogether. You can go on rides at the park, you can eat junk food pretty much anywhere, watch shows at better venues, and you can order gadgets pretty much anywhere online.

Then lets go down the list:

-Canucks? You're gone cause Vancouver already has hockey games.
Ditto Lions, Caps, etc
-Comedy Clubs? Let's shut them down because we have funny people telling jokes at home or at a comedy club. Plus online.
-Bars? Restaurants Nah, can buy them much cheaper at the grocery/liquor store and enjoy at home without the needless crowds.
-Speaking of online, bye bye malls. Can get whatever I want online.

You're kinda missing the point behind a fair here. It's not necessarily to have something new, or something you couldn't necessarily see somewhere else, its the fact that its all in one area. And you get to enjoy them all at once. Its not 1935. You don't go to a fair to learn how a telephone works anymore. But you may see a show, a new product, or exhibit that you ordinarily might have to wait or travel to see, all in one area, at one time. Thats sort of the point.

I'm not advocating getting rid of the PNE, but the fair's decline has led to the changes we see at Hastings Park, not the other way around, as you seem to indicate. It certainly isn't 1935 any more.

All of those strawmen you list are of course a joke, but there are elements of truth.

Sports? Attendance has suffered due to the rise of instant replays, large screen HDTV, and the ability to watch any game from anywhere.

Comedy Clubs? Were they ever that big? Stand up is alright, but again, so much is available on Netflix. It doesn't stop big acts from coming here and selling out the QE theater and other venues.

Bars? Restaurants? We have some of the best cuisine and pricing in Vancouver.

Malls? You bet they are getting crushed thanks to Amazon. Look around North America for examples of that.

[EastVanMark]

Originally Posted by WarrenC12

Hey, I'm not saying it wouldn't have been a good idea and saved us from the BC Libs' insanely over budget, but amazing Convention Centre.

But, it didn't happen, and it will never happen. You can't assume it would be perfect. Gotta move on.

Not perfect, but a lot better and certainly cheaper than what we ended up with buy hey, its only money. (and vibrancy, capacity etc) you know, all that boring stuff.

[WarrenC12]

Originally Posted by EastVanMark

I can tell by some of the responses most are far too young to remember, but the PNE used to put on music performances that were out of this world back in the 70's. I'm talking 30,000 people attending and multiple shows during the Fair. Now its nowhere near that. Why is that?
Calgary still draws huge acts during their event, why can't we anymore? Hmmmm

At what venue? Empire Stadium? BC Place replaced that venue. I would like to see something there, and did attend Empire Field when it was a temporary replacement for the Lions and Whitecaps.

But... a large outdoor facility is probably not financially viable in Vancouver.

[EastVanMark]

Originally Posted by WarrenC12

I'm not advocating getting rid of the PNE, but the fair's decline has led to the changes we see at Hastings Park, not the other way around, as you seem to indicate. It certainly isn't 1935 any more.

All of those strawmen you list are of course a joke, but there are elements of truth.

Sports? Attendance has suffered due to the rise of instant replays, large screen HDTV, and the ability to watch any game from anywhere.

Comedy Clubs? Were they ever that big? Stand up is alright, but again, so much is available on Netflix. It doesn't stop big acts from coming here and selling out the QE theater and other venues.

Bars? Restaurants? We have some of the best cuisine and pricing in Vancouver.

Malls? You bet they are getting crushed thanks to Amazon. Look around North America for examples of that.

Actually, no that is not a fact. The Fairs declining numbers started EXACTLY the year it was cut in half. You are 100% wrong if you think otherwise.

No, no. Don't need to go to restaurants. Can accomplish the same cooking at home (and its cheaper). We need to follow the logic of "I can get it somewhere else," then we have to do it all the way. No cutting corners and choosing one or the other.

I know malls are suffering, but again, under the logic of "you can see/get it somewhere else" they must all close down immediately. Again, can't be kinda pregnant.

Same with Fairs, you can pretty much see/do anything you can there someplace else. So why bother? Why Because people still go to them. And as long as there's entities wanting to come display/sell their goods and services there we should be able to accommodate them. No amount of Vancouver style "can't do" logic changes that