Downtown Vancouver Updates

[Changing City]

Originally Posted by Vin

The City was supposed to build a public swimming pool/community centre at the east side (not the former taxi compound). What a betrayal to the local residents. I guess they have decided to sell the land to developers for a huge profit after their disastrous handling of City finances, especially during the pandemic.

No they weren't. It was 7 years ago, and the City were looking to see if they could leverage a new pool as a contribution from a developer who in turn would have put a high-rise condo tower on top.

As has already been noted, it turned out that the site was too small, and it was dropped in favour of replacing the Aquatic Centre close to its existing location. The engineering complexity was too great to have a huge column-free area for a pool, and a high-rise tower over the site. The local community in the West End were also upset about the pool possibly being relocated.

The idea of replacing the existing pool in the West End has been discussed for a couple of years. I'm surprised you missed it.

[dleung]

Originally Posted by mcminsen

May 29 '21, my pics

i'm amazed how they got the proforma to work on this one. Davie street is turning into a tower canyon - I figure any open space along here is going to be turned into either higher density than this, or be given as public space in exchange for higher density elsewhere. It's a shame half the garden with the willow trees and japanese maples has been lost, for some low-density wood-frame construction...

[Vin]

Originally Posted by Changing City

No they weren't. It was 7 years ago, and the City were looking to see if they could leverage a new pool as a contribution from a developer who in turn would have put a high-rise condo tower on top.

As has already been noted, it turned out that the site was too small, and it was dropped in favour of replacing the Aquatic Centre close to its existing location. The engineering complexity was too great to have a huge column-free area for a pool, and a high-rise tower over the site. The local community in the West End were also upset about the pool possibly being relocated.

The idea of replacing the existing pool in the West End has been discussed for a couple of years. I'm surprised you missed it.

So I wonder where the promised replacement pool will be at? Or perhaps it was conveniently dropped off the map so to speak. Either way, the City is still going to make loads of money compared to if it were to be used as public recreational centre.

[whatnext]

Originally Posted by Changing City

No they weren't. It was 7 years ago, and the City were looking to see if they could leverage a new pool as a contribution from a developer who in turn would have put a high-rise condo tower on top.

As has already been noted, it turned out that the site was too small, and it was dropped in favour of replacing the Aquatic Centre close to its existing location. The engineering complexity was too great to have a huge column-free area for a pool, and a high-rise tower over the site. The local community in the West End were also upset about the pool possibly being relocated.

The idea of replacing the existing pool in the West End has been discussed for a couple of years. I'm surprised you missed it.

Pleeease Vancouver, replace that eyesore of a pool. A total waste of such a great location.

[GenWhy?]

I think they stated the new pools are going in the same general location as the old.

[Migrant_Coconut]

AFAIK it's "eastern Sunset Beach" - so RIP that parking lot?

[officedweller]

The Berkeley Tower from Trish Jewison twitter today:


https://twitter.com/TrishJewison?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor

[jollyburger]

Originally Posted by Migrant_Coconut

AFAIK it's "eastern Sunset Beach" - so RIP that parking lot?

Seems like they'll release more information this year with the new master plan for the West End beaches. But good luck on funding for a replacement pool. Seems like it's easily out in 10+ year territory.

[Klazu]

The only thing I like about the tower is its unusual placement on the lot which just adds some variation to the area. There is still a need for a 40-floor landmark tower to anchor that part of Downtown.

[Migrant_Coconut]

Originally Posted by jollyburger

Seems like they'll release more information this year with the new master plan for the West End beaches. But good luck on funding for a replacement pool. Seems like it's easily out in 10+ year territory.

I guess the City could sell the VAC lot?

[idunno]

The West End is/will be CAC $$ (once all of these proposed condo tower rezonings along Alberni and Thurlow are enacted).

It doesn't mean projects will happen quickly, but it does mean there are potential funding sources!

[GenWhy?]

In 2019 we were yapping gums about this - I think the library / community centre is 1st, then the pool / rec centre.

[Vin]

Originally Posted by GenWhy?

I think they stated the new pools are going in the same general location as the old.

Surrounding municipalities, including UBC, already built nice rec. centres, swimming pools, etc for their communities, and yet the "biggest" economic centre that generate the most business/property taxes can't even build something decent for its downtown community. Speaks a lot doesn't it?

[WarrenC12]

Originally Posted by Vin

Surrounding municipalities, including UBC, already built nice rec. centres, swimming pools, etc for their communities, and yet the "biggest" economic centre that generate the most business/property taxes can't even build something decent for its downtown community. Speaks a lot doesn't it?

No, it really doesn't. It's all in your head.

[Migrant_Coconut]

If we had UBC's endless stream of international $$$tudents and tiny operating costs, we'd probably have a pool too.

[WarrenC12]

FWIW UBC has an amazing pool complex. Great for kids lessons, compared to pools in Vancouver which are crazy busy at all hours.

[Changing City]

Originally Posted by Vin

Surrounding municipalities, including UBC, already built nice rec. centres, swimming pools, etc for their communities, and yet the "biggest" economic centre that generate the most business/property taxes can't even build something decent for its downtown community. Speaks a lot doesn't it?

Could you provide a list of the new non-market housing UBC has built in the past few years?

It's all about needs, and priorities.

[GenWhy?]

Originally Posted by Vin

Surrounding municipalities, including UBC, already built nice rec. centres, swimming pools, etc for their communities, and yet the "biggest" economic centre that generate the most business/property taxes can't even build something decent for its downtown community. Speaks a lot doesn't it?

My knowledge of Vancouver's tax / CAC allocation system is still in its infancy, but as far as I know the wealth gets spread around the whole city. Hence the recent "Van Splash"(?) strategies to replace and renew a lot of the city's centres. Britannia is on the list... and so is VAC. Not sure why more rich areas should get gold treatment, as per your comment, but definitely these areas have received new community / daycare centres recently (Roundhouse & Coal Harbour). I think the balance of old/ new, and expansion and renewal are on track as best they can.

[GenWhy?]

The West End amenities are not "that old", as far as cities I've lived in, to be replaced ASAP. Their replacement within the next 15 years is on track as far as other cities in Canada I've lived in - 1960's stuff is the replacement marker for this decade, so 2020 replacement of 1970 rec centres seems appropriate.

As a West Ender, fancy stuff is cool en all, but I don't mind waiting 5 years to get 2 additional pools instead of 1, in a better location. Would rather CAC's go to housing, IMO.

[jollyburger]

I wonder how condo amenity pools factor into their assumptions for pool usage.