Simulations of railway construction and power struggles over wheat are met with laughter and community in the West End.
Jim Balakshin, volunteer coordinator at the Gordon Neighbourhood House, is combating urban isolation with board games.
Balakshin wanted to create a public, welcoming opportunity for residents to come out and interact with one another in response to the Vancouver Foundation’s survey on loneliness, which he believed was true in the West End. He called board games a “social impetus” due to their universality.
“It doesn’t matter who you are,” said Balakshin, “or your background, or your orientation, or your race.”
Balakshin applied for a neighbourhood small grant from the Vancouver Foundation and West End Games Night was born, with help from the West End BIA and Gordon Neighbourhood House.
On Thursdays at 5 p.m., a bright yellow shelf packed with $500 of new games is rolled out to the rainbow picnic tables at Bute Plaza on Davie and Bute. Strangers are welcomed to come off the streets, grab a game and adventure together or go head to head. Tables are always filled. A 15-minute warning is given to ensure eager gamers have time to finish up.
John Bishop stepped out of a restaurant on Davie one Thursday evening and stumbled upon the scene of gamers.
“I think it’s a great place to start coming together than behind doors,” said Bishop. “It really brought the village to a village… [and] created a real, live sense of community.”
Balakshin lives a block from the intersection and believes the West End’s apartments contribute to the lack of meaningful interactions. Vancouver seems to centre on commercial and private spaces, he said.
Bishop, who also lives in the area, agrees. “You can live two blocks from someone and never see them,” he said. “People who live in apartments don’t come out unless they need to.”
Bishop is glad the evening takes a normally private activity and welcomes anyone who wants to join in. “When I grew up with my family, we did a lot of board games, card games, but it’s in our homes,” said Bishop.
Balakshin is pleased with the interactions the games have fostered. He saw families urging young couples and singles to join them. Two friends beckoned a young woman over who was shyly watching from the side. After two hours, they walked off together.
Local folk band Coldwater Road played live at a few games nights. Bishop spotted a flautist one evening as well. Last Thursday, a piano was found in the alley. Blenz lent a chair and a musician volunteered to play. “It was kind of a neat vibe when all of that comes together with the music and the lights,” said Balakshin.
The most popular games are not traditional fare like Monopoly, but cult favourites such as Settlers of Catan, Ticket to Ride and Cards Against Humanity. The collection is diverse enough to even include The Twilight Saga: New Moon’s board game.
While Cards Against Humanity is described by creators as “for terrible people” due to politically incorrect, potty and dark humour, a family with teenagers tried the game and enjoyed it immensely.
It was one of Balakshin’s favourite moments of the evenings so far. “It was funny to watch,” he said.
