The citys pitch and putt golf courses have been running at a deficit of more than $200,000 annually, so park board staff want to make golfing in bad weather free.
At the April 8th park board meeting, the board will decide on a proposal to allow for free golf during the winter months, with the exception of sunny days. The move would mean minimal or no staff during wet weather.
A staff report says the courses should be treated similarly to outdoor pools where lifeguards are only on duty during the summer. Despite the fact the courses were staffed and open from November 2012 to February of this year, there were 84 days when no green fees were purchased. Again due to rainy weather, on Feb. 24 no green fees were purchased compared to March 3 when the sun came out and 251 rounds were paid for. So staff are recommending the course be run seasonally with free community access during the winter, weather permitting, saving an estimated $100,000 annually.
As well, Metro Vancouvers non-profit First Tee program has put in a bid to work with the park board to make the Rupert Pitch and Putt its home course. Key elements of the proposal include renovating the old pro shop, enlarging the ninth hole putting green, installing synthetic turf, remediating the 15th hole, which has been out of service for three years, and using the course for school programs and summer camps.
Input for Fir/Sixth park
The park board hosts the second of three open house events looking for input regarding the new park being developed at the corner of Fir Street and West Sixth Avenue.
Vancouverites are invited to review three design concepts and share their opinions and preferences Wednesday, April 10 from 4 to 8 p.m. at Studio 16, Maison de la Francophonie de Vancouver, 1555 West Seventh Ave. The public can also share ideas online by visiting the project page at vancouver.ca. (I typed new park 6th and Fir into the sites search engine and found the report.) The budget for the project is $400,000, which I hope includes at least one poodle on a pole as a public art option.
Hastings 75 years strong
Join the Hastings Community Centre April 13 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. as it celebrates its 75th anniversary with food and program demonstrations including gardening, cooking, games, music, dance and entertainment.
The party is being hosted by the Hastings Community Association, which launched in the Hastings Sunrise neighbourhood in the 1930s. Enjoy tours of the centre and the sanctuary across the street while gathering information about programs, including fitness, family drop-in, Community Kitchen, Seasons of Food, the licensed daycare and youth and seniors activities.
There will be free coffee, tea and cake, as well as prizes, child-minding and historical information. The centre is located at 3096 East Hastings St.
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