Not only was Kits Beach named one of the top 10 city beaches in the world last year by CNN Travel, it now has 10 new tennis courts to up the ante.
The park board is inviting the public to the official opening of the courts this Sunday, Sept. 29, to check out the new courts. They can join Vision Vancouver park board chair Sarah Blyth, Vision Vancouver deputy mayor Kerry Jang, Kitsilano War Memorial Community Association vice-president Don Shaw and project donors.
The five tennis courts to the north end of the property were built to meet International Tennis Federation tournament standards. The five southern courts were resurfaced with asphalt and Plexipave sports coating and have new drainage and fencing, while 17 benches and a practice wall were installed. The wheelchair accessible facility replaces courts built in 1952.
The celebration will recognize the park board and city’s partnership with the Kitsilano War Memorial Community Association and the tennis community, which helped fund the $550,000 project. (Not saying a word.) There will be cake!
Stanley Park
There are still tickets available for the first annual Pure Magnolia ReVamp Charity Gala benefiting YWCA Crabtree Corner. YWCA Crabtree Corner provides a sober living facility for women who are using and pregnant, and for women working on their sobriety who want to gain their child or children back.
With the help of Vancouver event planner Flawless Events and Lynn Valley’s very own Zazou Salon and Spa, the groups have teamed up to make the wedding dreams of five women from Crabtree Corner come true.
After leaving Crabtree, the five women removed themselves from the Downtown Eastside and are now ready to start a new sober living chapter of their lives. As reward for their efforts, the women will be treated to services designed to make them look and feel like a princess on their wedding day.
The YWCA also provides a meal program for all Crabtree residents and a lunch program for anyone in the Downtown Eastside. As well, the group has created a donation room open every morning, which allows residents to use any of the items donated, including books and clothing for children, men and women. YWCA Crabtree Corner also provides free childcare for children six weeks to six years for impoverished women in the neighbourhood. The gala takes place Oct. 2 at the Vancouver Aquarium with canapés, a cash bar and fashion show from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. VIP tickets are also available. For more information visit puremagnolia.ca/events.
Gastown
This Friday, Sept. 27, Happy Planet will attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the world’s largest smoothie from noon to 4 p.m. at the Woodward’s Building, 149 West Hastings.
The Big Sipper event will also help raise funds for and generate awareness of the Greater Vancouver Food Bank Society.
Once complete the 2,000-litre, all-natural smoothie, which will include 3,200 bananas, will be poured out to everyone gathered at the Woodward’s Building courtyard while enjoying live music. Chef David Robertson of Dirty Apron will add the final ingredients and act as official taste tester. For more information visit happyplanet.com.
