Vancouver Park Board chair eyes $1 billion to upgrade aging facilities

The Vancouver Park Board says the city’s aging rec centres are in need of some serious and pricy repairs.

From the iconic Kits Pool needing major repairs following leaking issues, to the Vancouver Aquatic Centre literally falling apart in recent years – pressure is building to significantly ramp up spending to upgrade or build new community centres, ice rinks and swimming pools in the city.

Vancouver Park Board chair Tom Digby told CTV News $550 million in funding has already been approved for facilities. He has called a special meeting for April 7 and says the board will ask for a “substantial boost.”

The urgency for action only gathered further steam following Vancouver’s auditor general delivering a report last year which found 72 per cent of the city’s park board facilities were in poor or very poor condition.

“I can’t confirm or deny that $1 billion number,” Digby said when asked about what the park board is preparing to ask for at that meeting. “That is a number that has been floated and is being considered by commissioners. We’ll see the motion when it comes out at the end of this week. But $1 billion represents – clearly, clearly is the minimum.”

Digby said the $1 billion wouldn’t exclusively come from the City of Vancouver.

He referenced partnerships with developers and others, pointing to recent discussions between the Vancouver Canucks and the City of Vancouver over building a practice facility on or near the site of the Britannia Community Centre.

Given Mayor Ken Sim’s push to eliminate the elected park board and bring its responsibilities under the umbrella of city council, CTV News requested comment on this proposed $1 billion influx for park board facilities.

Ultimately the city would have to sign off on any increase to park board capital spending.

“The city is still in its planning process for the upcoming capital plan,” Sim said in a statement. “We will ensure that the important investments we make in community centres, roads, sidewalks, and parks are thoughtful and focused on the needs of Vancouverites.”

Those interested in speaking at the April 7 meeting have until noon that day to submit a request to the park board.