Vancouver's Park Board Seeks $1.35B for Green Spaces

0:00Vancouver's part board is pushing for a massive $1,350,000,000 investment from the city to upgrade parks and rec facilities through 2027 to 2030. With the population set to hit nearly 1,000,000 by 2050, they're facing huge strain on everything from sports fields to public spaces. An audit shows 72% of rec buildings are in poor or very poor shape, so this plan aims to fix that decay. The cast would target key fixes like $300,000,000 for seawalls, tree planting, new parks such as barrage slopes, and renewals at, spots like John Hendry. Another $200,000,000 each goes to aquatic centers, including replacing Kitsilano pool and community hubs like Hastings, plus $50,000,000 for biodiversity in places like Los Lagoon. No one's talking yet from the board, they won't comment until their special meeting on April 7th. Meanwhile, the whole set-ups under fire with City Council pushing to dissolve the elected

1:01park board, a 180 from Mayor Sim, who once vowed to, save it. Back in December 2023, Council asked the province to hand all powers over. This comes amid debates over parkland transfers to First Nations and referendum rules. The mayor is pushing back on some provincial claims about city requests. Expect a draft plan by June. Think input in early July at board and council votes then voters decide on borrowing in the October 20th, 26th. Election keeping eyes on how this plays out for Vancouver's green spaces. I'm Cory with the story. That's your Vancouver News today update. AI powered and always on.