As some readers might know, I attend the Healthiest Winner program at Riley Park Community Centre.
It's a program for couch potatoes who haven't exercised for a long time. I go three times at week at 7 a.m. before work and try not to miss a class because I'm always afraid if I miss one, I'll miss two.
But now it looks like I'll be forced to miss many classes this fall due to the fact Riley Park Community Centre will be demolished later this summer and there's no room for the program until January at the new Hillcrest Community Centre, which is not yet complete.
I'm not the only one concerned about an immediate or even future lack of programming space at the new community centre. Members of the Riley Park South Cambie Community Visions Committee addressed the park board Monday night and asked that a six-month moratorium be placed on the demolition of the Riley Park Community Centre. The group says the estimated use at Hillcrest is at least 40 per cent higher than Riley Park and notes the new pool is already 50 per cent above projected numbers. I know from experience the weight room at Hillcrest is jam-packed.
Now throw in the huge housing development to be built at neighbouring Little Mountain, which will include another four to five thousand residents, and you've got a lot of people hoping to access a community centre that's starting to look too small before it's even complete.
The committee says the Riley Park centre could help facilitate that population growth by providing space for arts clubs, youth organizations, seniors activities and room rentals for the public.
Vision Vancouver park board chair Aaron Jasper told me he spoke briefly with the group and while he can't promise anything, has agreed to meet with the members at length. He also wants representatives from the city to join the discussion because of the impact the Little Mountain housing development will have on the community. It's also up to council to decide which public amenities will be paid for by the developer as part of the project.
The committee members want the park board to hold off demolishing the community centre to give them enough time to decide if it would be feasible to take over operation of Riley Park in partnership with private investors. The committee also wants time to create a business plan.
Jasper has no idea if the idea can even be considered, but wants enough time to hear out the residents. Meanwhile Riley Park Community Centre is being readied for demolition.
BEST LAID PLANS
One of the highlights of the proposed 2011-2014 Capital Plan is a combined community centre, library and daycare complex for Marpole to replace that neighbourhood's aging centre.
Vision Vancouver park board chair Aaron Jasper says it doesn't make financial sense to build a community centre on its own, so while Marpole will get its new facility as promised, it's going to take longer than thought. Jasper says the park board is now on the hunt for a different property than the current community centre location in Oak Park on Oak Street at Park Drive.
Another project included in the proposed capital plan is reverting Empire Field at Hastings Park back to community use. The B.C. Lions football club has been using the field since last season while the retractable roof at B.C. Place is being constructed. Jasper says once the Lions are relocated, Empire Field will be divided into two playing fields and receive new artificial turf. The city's proposed capital plan is available in its entirety at vancouver.ca/parks within the minutes of the July 4 special meeting agenda.
sthomas@vancourier.com
Twitter @sthomas10
