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

mr.x · #1 Posted **Jun 6, 2010, 7:51 PM**

In no particular order...

Expansion/improvements/moves of existing attractions:

1) Science World
- the planned expansion is a modest improvement, but ideally I'd like to see the Space Centre move into a much, much larger Science World
- Science World is 2.5x larger from what it is today

2) Vancouver Aquarium
- a major expansion is being planned

3) Vancouver Art Gallery
- a new building for the gallery at Larwill Park, however, something much larger than the currently planned 300,000 square foot proposal....make it 500,000 sq. feet

4) Museum of Vancouver
- move the MOV to the existing art gallery/old courthouse building...expand the space by building under the Georgia Plaza and use the UBC Robson Square space
- it includes new space for the BC Sports Hall of Fame as well as a substantial Vancouver 2010 exhibit
- total space: 150,000 square feet existing + 70,000 sq. foot UBC Robson Square + 100,000 sq. foot expansion under Georgia Plaza = 320,00 square feet total

5) Vancouver Maritime Museum
- a 400,000 square foot museum to be built at the Plaza of Nations site, tied in with the new plaza and pier to the east of it as well as a 2,000-seat performing arts centre to the west of it.

6) Pacific Centre mall expansion
- a major expansion at the Sears site, an 8-floor atrium expansion that would at least double the number of stores at the mall to 200
- there would also be a major 700-foot office tower

7) Vancouver Zoo at Hastings Park
- move the Aldergrove Zoo to a new world-class Hastings Park zoo; Playland will be moved elsewhere - see #8
- but Hastings Racecourse/casino and Empire Fields will remain
- the zoo will be publicly operated with a business plan almost identical to that of the Vancouver Aquarium (a educational and research institution, only takes in animals that can no longer survive in the wild)
- with the much more central location, it will have a significantly higher attendance than the Aldergrove Zoo...there will be a watchful public eye on how the zoo cares for its animals and the additional attendance revenue will enable the zoo to give its animals and facilities quality maintenance
- an 90 acre zoo

8) Playland and the Fair at False Creek
- a 50-acre mini-amusement park at the vacant future Creekside Park expansion site
- flame me all you want, but that huge park is just completely overkill with the existing Creekside Park north of Science World and the planned parks for Southeast False Creek
- the amusement park would be modeled after Pacific Park at the Santa Monica Pier
- it would be an "open" amusement park, meaning you can freely walk in and simply pay for the rides...no admission
- bound to be a runaway success considering its central location, three nearby SkyTrain stations, two stadiums, future casino hotel, etc.
- and yes, it'll have a 140-metre high enclosed cabin ferris wheel
- The Fair - optional: the annual fair will continue to exist with a shortened 10-day event with events and activities inside BC Place Stadium; the new Georgia steps, plaza, and boardwalk; part of Pacific Boulevard; underneath the Georgia Viaducts; Creekside Park; Andy Livingstone Park and sports fields; Dr. Sun Yat Sen Gardens; and the Chinatown Night Market will also be incorporated into the Fair as a 17-day Chinese market...each night will end with a laser and water works show in False Creek...the Fair could eventually expand into having different sites/pavilions throughout the Downtown core
- or alternative, move Playland to Surrey

9) Celebration of Light
- of course, it has funding issues as is...but expand it into a 8-night event that starts in mid-July...with higher calibre fireworks

10) Robson Square Zip Line
- bring back a permanent version of the Olympic zip line we had, with admission fees of course

11) Granville Street
- completely closed off to traffic at all times with street re-built once again into a pedestrian street with weekend event programming

12) New Years Eve!
- the precinct around Granville Street and Robson is closed for a Time Square-styled New Years Eve countdown and bash with rooftop fireworks from buildings nearby and confetti and streamers shooting into the streets
- large enough to fit 100,000 people

And there are a few more i have...but that's enough for now.

EDIT...more:

13) Canada Place pier
- Port Vancouver offices currently occupy the extension of Canada Place that was built earlier in the decade, have them vacate the space so that Cirque du Soleil can set up a show there...and of course, the triangular fixed roof would likely have to come off for some larger and more airy

14) A massive nightclub at Storyeum that can fit 1,500 people

djh · #2 Posted **Jun 6, 2010, 9:11 PM**

Bravo! Great list! My, how you've grown up since the early days when you seemingly thought Vancouver was paradise and any person who suggested we add anything was seen as a heretic.

I agree with pretty much all of your dream list. Except:

6 - Don't want a bigger underground mall. It sucks the traffic off the street, and would make Granville a dead zone - would probably drop the rents and bring back the seedy shops. And our climate does not require a huge enclosed mall. But I wouldn't mind Sears taking up less space and something other than more $hops $hops $hops going in there (as many have suggested before, there are many options, such as the Art Gallery, Museum, office space, entertainment complex, even an indoor fairgrond. See The Trocadero in Picadilly Circus, or the Metreon in SF)

9 - Yes, a better Celebration of Light - at LEAST as good as the premiere one in Canada, the Montreal firework display. I reckon the way to make this work is simple. Have headline acts come and perform on the world's biggest beach concert BEFORE the show. Put, say, some big-name touring bands on a floating stage, charge a really cheap entry to that beach , and obviously free for people outside of the concert zone/just there for the fireworks. I'm sure LiveNation can get two or three of their acts to do a free 20 minute gig before the fireworks. You get the crowd, the money raised goes towards fencing, policing and crowd control. The band does a huge publicity blitz in front of half a million people and see their sales rocket the next day, the record label plug themselves, and the crowds feel fine about paying $10 to see a wicked concert before the fireworks.

trofirhen · #3 Posted **Jun 6, 2010, 9:49 PM**

I've said it before and I'll say it again .....

Some "tall ships" (2 or 3 of them) down at the waterfront, perhaps around Coal Harbour, to amplify that "maritime" feeling, and give the waterfront some real character.

The Maritime Museum might do well there, too: somewhat west of the Convention Centre, as that part of the waterfront is a little bit sterile and "dead."

Hitmonlee · #4 Posted **Jun 6, 2010, 11:02 PM**

What we have right now is more than adequate entertainment for a city of our size. You can't have it all

djh · #5 Posted **Jun 6, 2010, 11:09 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hitmonlee

What we have right now is more than adequate entertainment for a city of our size. You can't have it all

Yeah, curb your enthusiasm, people. Don't aim for better. Don't dream. And thank the powers that be that you're taxes give you what you have...

Yume-sama · #6 Posted **Jun 6, 2010, 11:17 PM**

I tried to think of something when I first saw this thread that Vancouver doesn't have that I would like it to, and that I would actually USE. I still can't really think of anything. Sure something like a Zoo or whatever would be nice, but I wouldn't go. And the hippies would have sit-ins and probably help a Chimp escape which would then terrorize the city... Or perhaps, a prominent Opera House... again, something I would never go to. I'm really drawing a blank.

For all purposes, I look forward to my time in Vancouver because... it just provides more for *me* already than wherever I happen to be that isn't Vancouver

My biggest complaint for the longest while was it being somewhat difficult to get to / from the airport. Now that's gone, and I'm having a hard time complaining about something.

GeeCee · #7 Posted **Jun 6, 2010, 11:24 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by mr.x

- The Fair - optional: the annual fair will continue to exist with a shortened 10-day event with events and activities inside BC Place Stadium; the new Georgia steps, plaza, and boardwalk; part of Pacific Boulevard; underneath the Georgia Viaducts; Creekside Park; Andy Livingstone Park and sports fields; Dr. Sun Yat Sen Gardens; and the Chinatown Night Market will also be incorporated into the Fair as a 17-day Chinese market...each night will end with a laser and water works show in False Creek...the Fair could eventually expand into having different sites/pavilions throughout the Downtown core

I strongly prefer having one site for the PNE.

mr.x · #8 Posted **Jun 6, 2010, 11:32 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by GeeCee

I strongly prefer having one site for the PNE.

Well it would still be one site considering BC Place, Creekside Park, Pacific Blvd, Andy Livingstone Park, etc. are all right next to each other.

It's not like the PNE is held in one area, it's held in multiple buildings and areas throughout the site....

mr.x · #9 Posted **Jun 6, 2010, 11:36 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yume-sama

I tried to think of something when I first saw this thread that Vancouver doesn't have that I would like it to, and that I would actually USE. I still can't really think of anything. Sure something like a Zoo or whatever would be nice, but I wouldn't go. And the hippies would have sit-ins and probably help a Chimp escape which would then terrorize the city... Or perhaps, a prominent Opera House... again, something I would never go to. I'm really drawing a blank.

For all purposes, I look forward to my time in Vancouver because... it just provides more for *me* already than wherever I happen to be that isn't Vancouver

My biggest complaint for the longest while was it being somewhat difficult to get to / from the airport. Now that's gone, and I'm having a hard time complaining about something.

Well, I'm not a huge fan of these things either...but it's all based on a non-selfish desire to have more variety and a higher quality attractions and events in the city.

Haha, I could defiinitely see the hippies doing their thing with a zoo proposal...oh well, I guess they'd prefer that the animals stay in the Aldergrove prison. :p

vangirl3 · #10 Posted **Jun 7, 2010, 1:11 AM**

Great post Mr. X, but please... don't move Playland!

Playland is such an iconic attraction. Urbanizing it would get rid of its gritty, dated flavour. It just wouldn't be the same without the bad carnies, the scratchy PA, the smell of hay and horse dung, the 70's classic rock, the wooden roller coaster etc. It's such a testament to a different time and place...

Also, no zoo. We can watch animals in the wild in 3D...let's not capture them. Although, a sanctuary for rescued animals might be a good thing.

I like most of your other suggestions... here's some things that I'd like to see:

-an urban farm in Stanley Park and/or urban farms tended by kids on school lands
-a boxwood maze a la Hampton Court, but more challenging, in either Stanley Park of QE Park
-Trout Lake tarted up so it's like a classic European park (Luxembourg Gardens?)
-would love a classic kids carousel somewhere along the seawall or at Trout Lake
-musical and outdoor theatre events geared to parks on the skytrain system (QE, Trout Lake, Burnaby Lake)

In fact, I'd love it if the entire seawall was strategically peppered with things to do (carousel, mini golf, climbing wall). The idea would be that you bike, walk, run and periodically you can stop and do something fun.

jlousa · #11 Posted **Jun 7, 2010, 1:22 AM**

I'm with Yume, not much I'd add to Vancouver, it has pretty much everything I need/want. There are a few things that could be expanded/updated, but I can't think of anything that we're lacking.

Personally I think it'd be cool if we could have submarine tours of Burrad inlet, and false creek/english bay. We have a local company that manufactures mini subs. A tour company should buy one and offer tours.
I'd prefer if Vancouver carves out a niche for itself and finds something to offer that isn't in every other city across the globe.

SpongeG · #12 Posted **Jun 7, 2010, 1:26 AM**

crate and barrel
anthropologie
CB2
West Elm

with those I would be set

mr.x · #13 Posted **Jun 7, 2010, 1:30 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by vangirl3

Great post Mr. X, but please... don't move Playland!

Playland is such an iconic attraction. Urbanizing it would get rid of its gritty, dated flavour. It just wouldn't be the same without the bad carnies, the scratchy PA, the smell of hay and horse dung, the 70's classic rock, the wooden roller coaster etc. It's such a testament to a different time and place...

Also, no zoo. We can watch animals in the wild in 3D...let's not capture them. Although, a sanctuary for rescued animals might be a good thing.

I like most of your other suggestions... here's some things that I'd like to see:

-an urban farm in Stanley Park and/or urban farms tended by kids on school lands
-a boxwood maze a la Hampton Court, but more challenging, in either Stanley Park of QE Park
-Trout Lake tarted up so it's like a classic European park (Luxembourg Gardens?)
-would love a classic kids carousel somewhere along the seawall or at Trout Lake
-musical and outdoor theatre events geared to parks on the skytrain system (QE, Trout Lake, Burnaby Lake)

In fact, I'd love it if the entire seawall was strategically peppered with things to do (carousel, mini golf, climbing wall). The idea would be that you bike, walk, run and periodically you can stop and do something fun.

Great ideas you have there!

As for my Playland relocation idea, it's based on having a Zoo at Hastings Park. The Hastings Park Zoo wouldn't capture new animals, rather it would use the same animals that are currently at the poorly built and maintained Aldergrove Zoo.

And the zoo would be very much like the Vancouver Aquarium, it'll be a research and education centre and would take in orphans and animals that have been injured and can no longer survive in the wild. For instance, several dolphins at the Vancouver Aquarium are missing parts of their fins after being caught in Japanese fishing nets...and the Aquarium most recently rescued a sick and orphaned baby harbour porpoise - it'll likely stay at an aquarium for the rest of its life. The zoo would do the same thing with animals.

The zoo would move into Hastings Park including the Playland space. Playland would move to Creekside Park, except for Coaster - given its structural complexity. Coaster would remain at Hastings Park and could be left as an open attraction or a zoo attraction. Hastings Racecourse/Casino and Pacific Coliseum would also remain in the park.

But, the alternative could always be to turn my proposed zoo space at Hastings Park into an expansion of Playland.

vangirl3 · #14 Posted **Jun 7, 2010, 1:35 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by mr.x

And the zoo would be very much like the Vancouver Aquarium, it'll be a research and education centre and would take in orphans and animals that have been injured and can no longer survive in the wild. For instance, several dolphins at the Vancouver Aquarium are missing parts of their fins after being caught in Japanese fishing nets...and the Aquarium most recently rescued a sick and orphaned baby harbour porpoise - it'll likely stay at an aquarium for the rest of its life. The zoo would do the same thing with animals.

But, the alternative could always be to turn my proposed zoo space at Hastings Park into an expansion of Playland.

Okay, you're breaking my heart! Let's move these animals near the wolf (or is it grizzly?) sanctuary at Grouse or the Vancouver Aquarium.

mr.x · #15 Posted **Jun 7, 2010, 1:50 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by vangirl3

Okay, you're breaking my heart! Let's move these animals near the wolf (or is it grizzly?) sanctuary at Grouse or the Vancouver Aquarium.

Haha, there are like hundreds and hundreds of animals at the Aldergrove zoo...and I'm quite sure the monkeys, lions, giraffes, etc. wouldn't be very pleased with Grouse Mountain winters nor is there enough or even suitable space at Grouse considering it's primarily a ski area.

If you moved it to the aquarium, it would be like reverting back to the 1990's when the Stanley Park Zoo still existed but it was closed due to animal cruelty calls (the exhibit spaces were definitely far too small)...if i remember my childhood correctly they had lions, monkeys, penguins, and quite a few others...some of the animals were moved to the Aldergrove facility when the zoo closed. I highly doubt the aquarium would want to expand its mandate beyond aquatic species.

Yume-sama · #16 Posted **Jun 7, 2010, 2:00 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by jlousa

I'm with Yume, not much I'd add to Vancouver, it has pretty much everything I need/want. There are a few things that could be expanded/updated, but I can't think of anything that we're lacking.

Personally I think it'd be cool if we could have submarine tours of Burrad inlet, and false creek/english bay. We have a local company that manufactures mini subs. A tour company should buy one and offer tours.
I'd prefer if Vancouver carves out a niche for itself and finds something to offer that isn't in every other city across the globe.

Oooh that would be cool! We need submarines.

SpikePhanta · #17 Posted **Jun 7, 2010, 2:30 AM**

Mr.X I agree with you on numbers 1-5,9,10,12-14.

For Pacific centre expansion I would like it to not be too big, but small enough for the real estate in the mall to be for high end stores.

I would prefer a vancouver zoo on PNE ground but I dont want to see the fair or Playland move.

I would love for creekside park to have some ride and atraction and maybe a sort of citycarnaval thing and a ferris wheel.
I would just like it if they removed the flex parking on granville and maybe make it just pedestrian and bus only except on weekend nights and friday night make it stay as a pedestrian street. Or pedestrian only weekends.

Other than those things I love your ideas mentioned above, numbers 1-5,9,10,12-14.
And I totally agree

mr.x · #18 Posted **Jun 7, 2010, 2:52 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpikePhanta

Mr.X I agree with you on numbers 1-5,9,10,12-14.

For Pacific centre expansion I would like it to not be too big, but small enough for the real estate in the mall to be for high end stores.

I would prefer a vancouver zoo on PNE ground but I dont want to see the fair or Playland move.

I would love for creekside park to have some ride and atraction and maybe a sort of citycarnaval thing and a ferris wheel.
I would just like it if they removed the flex parking on granville and maybe make it just pedestrian and bus only except on weekend nights and friday night make it stay as a pedestrian street. Or pedestrian only weekends.

Other than those things I love your ideas mentioned above, numbers 1-5,9,10,12-14.
And I totally agree

My Pacific Centre expansion idea above is based on a timeline of when Sears would decide to move out, so such a major expansion would be something like 15-years down the road at the very earliest.

A zoo and Playland would still work together at Hastings Park, there's room for both.

False Creek's Creekside Park expansion site could be turned into park as currently planned, but on the west end of the park you'll have that big ferris wheel with the admission entrance located on the proposed new False Creek plaza/pier.

BCPhil · #19 Posted **Jun 7, 2010, 10:23 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yume-sama

Oooh that would be cool! We need submarines.

BC used to have 2! At the outbreak of WWI, Our Premier Sir Richard McBride, was unsatisfied that the West Coast of Canada was left unprotected by the British Navy. Upon hearing rumors that the German Cruiser Leipzig was seen off the coast, raiding ships, on behalf of BC he bought 2 submarines built in Seattle that were originally destined for Chile. The sale was ratified by the federal government and the ships entered service in the RCN. They were the only British ships to patrol the west coast for the first 3 years of WWI.

Although I guess new ones would have more windows and fewer torpedo tubes.

Delirium · #20 Posted **Jun 7, 2010, 1:35 PM**

given our dark, dreary and wet winters, an indoor water park of sorts would be awesome. A place where people could go to surf, sit in sand and actually DO something when it;s crappy out and shake off those winter blues. if it had a retractable roof, it could be opened during the summer months.

example;

Ocean Dome - Seagaia Resort, Japan

photo: http://www.techfresh.net/wp-content/...ocean-dome.jpg
The Ocean Dome is claimed as the world’s largest indoor water park, which features volcano that erupts every 15 minutes, a gigantic wave pool fit for up to 10,000 people, and waterslides.

check out the surf!

• Video Link