Downtown Vancouver Updates

[Changing City]

Originally Posted by jollyburger

Almost every Metro Vancouver school district generates around 15% of their budget from international students.

I don't think it's as much as that. And none of it funds swimming pools Downtown. Surrey for example gets around $14m for international students out of a total revenue of $778m. That's about 2% of revenue. Burnaby is projecting $16m from international students from total revenue of $255m, so around 6%.

And once again, a thread has been hi-jacked by Vin's irrelevant and inaccurate commentary.

[Migrant_Coconut]

Technically, it was me who resurrected yesterday's idiocy instead of letting it sit.

Back on topic: any plans for crossings at Pacific? The Howe-Seymour stretch isn't exactly pedestrian-friendly right now.

[jollyburger]

Originally Posted by Changing City

I don't think it's as much as that. And none of it funds swimming pools Downtown. Surrey for example gets around $14m for international students out of a total revenue of $778m. That's about 2% of revenue. Burnaby is projecting $16m from international students from total revenue of $255m, so around 6%.

And once again, a thread has been hi-jacked by Vin's irrelevant and inaccurate commentary.

5-10% for most of the districts with large international student populations.

"While international funding makes up about five per cent of the total revenue across the province, it is mostly held by ten districts, mainly in Metro Vancouver and Greater Victoria," says Gacoin, adding these regions have robust recruitment programs and are often seen as the most desirable locations by foreign students.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-c...enue-collapsed-during-pandemic-1.5995324

[Zepfancouver]

I thought this was interesting on reddit ‘Working Landscape’ was working today !
Don't know how long it hasn't been working but it is now for sell https://www.wescover.com/p/public-sculptures-by-daniel-laskarin-at-vancouver--PS13p6LsXI

[Changing City]

Originally Posted by Zepfancouver

I thought this was interesting on reddit ‘Working Landscape’ was working today !
Don't know how long it hasn't been working but it is now for sell https://www.wescover.com/p/public-sculptures-by-daniel-laskarin-at-vancouver--PS13p6LsXI

Here's the text from 'The Changing City' (2010). "Next to the Vancouver Club at the north end of Hornby Street is a park which sits on top of a parking garage, look for "Working Landscape" a public art piece designed by Daniel Laskarin which "addresses the social dynamics of the plaza… [the sculpture's] 3 platforms rotate at various speeds recalling the traditional presence of clocks on public squares. The platform surfaces are of heavy wooden planking; the planters of steel - materials reminiscent of the industrial buildings once such an important part of this area…" (Don’t be surprised if they’re not working!)"

[squeezied]

Originally Posted by Changing City

And once again, a thread has been hi-jacked by Vin's irrelevant and inaccurate commentary.

These are quite enjoyable if I'm to be honest.

[Vin]

Originally Posted by Changing City

I don't think it's as much as that. And none of it funds swimming pools Downtown. Surrey for example gets around $14m for international students out of a total revenue of $778m. That's about 2% of revenue. Burnaby is projecting $16m from international students from total revenue of $255m, so around 6%.

And once again, a thread has been hi-jacked by Vin's irrelevant and inaccurate commentary.

Says someone contributing a lot to this so-called "hijack".

Originally Posted by jollyburger

5-10% for most of the districts with large international student populations.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-c...enue-collapsed-during-pandemic-1.5995324

Exactly. With so much funding, Vancouver should have top-notch facilities, including at least one new swimming pool downtown.

Since the proposed swimming pool at Granville loop has been cancelled, and with the current aquatic centre fast falling apart (built 1974), I'm surprised no one is questioning why the City is not trying to come up with a replacement. But I suppose no money = no new facility.
This brings to mind the new Art Gallery. Normally a city the size and development potential of Vancouver should have a pretty decent one built already.

[Feathered Friend]

Community Bonds Save Vancouver’s Multigenerational Housing Opportunity From A Rotten Core

1317 Richards St and 508 Drake St
It’s not often an applicant team will announce to the Urban Design Panel they hope their proposal will set a worldwide example. That claim was bolstered by city staff, who admitted they were willing to stretch the Downtown Official Development Plan to enable that goal. They stressed this would never have been considered for a condo building, but this mix of cultural services, and non-profit social housing targeted for seniors and persons with disabilities, was too good to pass up.

That said, protecting the view corridors remained paramount, which is why a previous concept that included twice as many homes was rejected. Contextual fit was also vital, and echoing a majority of city council, one staff member noted that no matter the affordability, a 10 floor building would be too much for Commercial Drive. When combined with the distances required from existing buildings, and setbacks at the ground level, its no wonder these volunteers felt this proposal represented a heroic effort.

https://cityduo.wordpress.com/2021/06/09...-housing-opportunity-from-a-rotten-core/

[Migrant_Coconut]

Originally Posted by Vin

Exactly. With so much funding, Vancouver should have top-notch facilities, including at least one new swimming pool downtown.

Since the proposed swimming pool at Granville loop has been cancelled, and with the current aquatic centre fast falling apart (built 1974), I'm surprised no one is questioning why the City is not trying to come up with a replacement. But I suppose no money = no new facility.
This brings to mind the new Art Gallery. Normally a city the size and development potential of Vancouver should have a pretty decent one built already.

Ten seconds of Googling reveals that the City IS trying to replace it with a pool facility next door - apparently we're waiting on the beach redevelopment plan. Edit: Again, said replacement would be $70 million; 5% of the VSB budget is $24 mil, so "with so much funding" going to the Parks Board instead of the VSB (where it rightfully goes), we get... a foundation.

Most art galleries are funded through private donors and federal (not municipal) money. The VAG lacks enough of either.

[WarrenC12]

At the risk of throwing more gas on the fire... I'd love to see an indoor/outdoor pool concept on the water. Kits pool and the one at 3rd beach are great. Integrating something like that with a regular aquatic centre would be perfect. Could have year-round outdoor hot tubs?

Hillcrest actually has an outdoor pool, but it's quite small, and the views aren't the same.

[Krissy]

Originally Posted by Vin

Says someone contributing a lot to this so-called "hijack".

Since when did Vin start talking about himself in 3rd person?

[Vin]

Originally Posted by Migrant_Coconut

Ten seconds of Googling reveals that the City IS trying to replace it with a pool facility next door - apparently we're waiting on the beach redevelopment plan. Edit: Again, said replacement would be $70 million; 5% of the VSB budget is $24 mil, so "with so much funding" going to the Parks Board instead of the VSB (where it rightfully goes), we get... a foundation.

Most art galleries are funded through private donors and federal (not municipal) money. The VAG lacks enough of either.

Two years later, just like May 2019, the City still has yet to set aside any money for it. There are no concept plans, absolutely nothing. It's like saying they DO NOT have any plans to replace it. Even if the Parks Board comes up with a full beach development plan today, do you seriously think that they will be able to build a new pool?

May 2019
https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/vancouver-aquatic-centre-retractable-roof

As for the Art Gallery, we only have one half-decent museum/gallery downtown and we can't even get a replacement for it: that's shameful. In fact, none of the museums we have in this city is world-class. Other cities can do it, and it makes one wonder why we can't.

[GenWhy?]

Originally Posted by Vin

There are no concept plans, absolutely nothing. It's like saying they DO NOT have any plans to replace it. Even if the Parks Board comes up with a full beach development plan today, do you seriously think that they will be able to build a new pool?

Granville Loop pool dropped in 2017(?). Van Splash released in about 2019.

Concept plans for pools and the waterfront are pegged for release next summer with the COVID delay. Recent Beach Ave traffic changes monitoring are a component of this re-design.

This Plan requires Parks and City sign-off. Expect election 2022 shenanigans. Maybe a vote to approve and start designing in 2023. Operational by 2026? Better have an outdoor year-round hot pool.

[GenWhy?]

West End Rec Centre & Library might be built 1st is my guess, still. Still haven't got a response.

EDIT: Phase 1 design is in the Capital Budget Plan 2019-2022 ($10 m). Looks like the school is a part of it too, though that might be phase 2.

I consider the West End "downtown". So forgive me for continuing to derail.

[jollyburger]

Originally Posted by GenWhy?

West End Rec Centre & Library might be built 1st is my guess, still. Still haven't got a response.

EDIT: Phase 1 design is in the Capital Budget Plan 2019-2022 ($10 m). Looks like the school is a part of it too, though that might be phase 2.

I consider the West End "downtown". So forgive me for continuing to derail.

They seem closer to replacing the community centre and it has more broad usage compared to a pool. They also need to replace the King George Senior Secondary School at the same time for seismic reasons.

[Migrant_Coconut]

Originally Posted by Vin

Two years later, just like May 2019, the City still has yet to set aside any money for it. There are no concept plans, absolutely nothing. It's like saying they DO NOT have any plans to replace it. Even if the Parks Board comes up with a full beach development plan today, do you seriously think that they will be able to build a new pool?

May 2019
https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/vancouver-aquatic-centre-retractable-roof

As for the Art Gallery, we only have one half-decent museum/gallery downtown and we can't even get a replacement for it: that's shameful. In fact, none of the museums we have in this city is world-class. Other cities can do it, and it makes one wonder why we can't.

Not with that attitude they won't. As GenWhy pointed out, the plans and initial funding are coming next year; this ain't a summer blockbuster or new smartphone that needs to be hyped every few months to remind people it still exists.

Other cities get hundreds of millions in federal grants - we, on the other hand, have yet to see a single red dime from Ottawa.

[GenWhy?]

Originally Posted by jollyburger

They seem closer to replacing the community centre and it has more broad usage compared to a pool. They also need to replace the King George Senior Secondary School at the same time for seismic reasons.

Right.. nvm "phase 1" now reads more like Design Phase, and Phase 2 would be construction - $$$ mega bucks.

[Migrant_Coconut]

Originally Posted by jollyburger

They seem closer to replacing the community centre and it has more broad usage compared to a pool. They also need to replace the King George Senior Secondary School at the same time for seismic reasons.

Agreed. The VAC may be old, but those two are ancient.

[officedweller]

Richards Smithe Park

By me today.

The viewing platform over Smithe is being installed.

[jollyburger]

Huge apartment fire at 1075 Comox