On Wednesday, I wrote that a group of swimmers planned to protest the summer closure of Lord Byng Pool in West Point Grey while wearing nothing but their bathing suits.
They protested and our picture is the proof. Well, at least some of them showed up in their bathing suits.
The group is upset the pool is closing for two months, partly for some repairs but also to save money. As the protest was underway, workers were at Lord Byng draining the pool in preparation for the re-grouting of the pools basin, which according to parks staff takes considerable down time.
Which means these swimmers will have to enjoy the water elsewhere this summer. For a complete list of pools and beaches in the city, visit vancouver.ca/parks.
Notions and motions
Its not quite an omnibus bill, but the park board is wrapping up numerous items and considering several motions leading up to its summer break.
Vision Vancouver park board vice-chair Aaron Jasper is bringing forward a motion to the July 9 meeting asking staff to compile a report examining ways to make more money from the citys golf and pitch-and-putt courses. I wrote last week that Jasper has ideas on making money, including replacing Langaras 18-hole course with a fancy executive nine-hole version.
Vision Vancouver park board chair Sarah Blyth is bringing forward a motion recommending the rebuilding of the iconic train station at the Stanley Park Miniature Railway be made a priority. The station was destroyed by arson two weeks ago. Blyth wants the replacement building to be as green as possible and is asking staff to find ways to raise the money needed for a replacement station. Blyth also wants to find ways the new station can generate more revenue.
Next up is Vision Vancouvers Trevor Loke, who is recommending staff look at ways to limit the amount of chlorine added to public swimming pools by adding a secondary disinfection system that uses ozone or ultraviolet technologies. Loke points out in his motion that chlorine has been linked to health problems such as bronchitis, pulmonary edema and irritation to eyes, skin and the respiratory system.
The board is also rethinking its lease agreement with Vancouver Professional Baseball Partnership, which operates Nat Bailey Stadiumhome to the Vancouver Canadians baseball team.
When VPBP and the park board first agreed on the 10-year lease in 2007, the group was to pay nothing during the first five years in exchange for improvements and renovations, and then $100,000 plus four per cent of the gross beyond $2.5 million for each of the next five years. Now the park board is considering lowering that amount due to the contributions of the club and the importance of Nat Bailey to the community. If approved, the new lease agreement will see VPBP pay $25,000 for the first year, followed by $50,000, $75,000 and $100,000 consecutively. Just so long as they dont get rid of the Chef Wasabi bobble-head dolls.
Summer camps
The park board is running summer camps across the city, which offer everything from art to swimming to animation to math. Math? Now that sounds like fun. For a complete schedule visit vancouver.ca/parks.
sthomas@vancourier.com
Twitter: sthomas10
