My Default Blog
The Vancouver Skateboard Coalition, in cooperation with the Youth Week Committee and Kitsch Skateboards, is excited to announce the Vancouver Youth Week Skate Event,
which will take place on Sunday May 6th between 1:00 and 5:00pm at The
Plaza (under the Georgia Viaduct at the intersection of Union St. and
Quebec St.).
Part of Vancouver Youth Week, which runs from
May 1st through 7th, the Skate Event is to be a healthy promotion of
skateboarding and skateboard culture geared towards the younger age
demographic of Vancouver’s skateboard scene. Featuring live music,
prize giveaways, a barbecue, information booths from a number of
youth-oriented organizations, and a demo by Kitsch Skateboards,
a Vancouver-based skateboard company, the event promises a fun and
exciting day for everyone involved. For more info contact Jeff Cole at
“getupeight@hotmail.com” 604-739-3452. Or check out www.vancouveryouthweek.ca.
And do all of us a favour on your way there… don’t skate on the east Quebec St. sidewalk!
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Tags:VSC
Published by vsc: 7:14 PM
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Here are some of the latest developments from the Leeside Stewardship Group,
LEESIDE MEMORIAL SKATEPARK
Originally conceived as a bus loop by BC Transit, the project was
abandoned in the early 1990s. The potential of this space was
eventually recognized by a number of local youth, including Lee Matasi,
who sought to utilize it for graffiti and skateboarding purposes. The
Leeside Stewardship Group along with the Vancouver Skateboarding
Coalition is working to develop this space in recognition of his
efforts and out of respect for his life that ended too soon. At this
stage, we are awaiting a council report to approve funding for a
project which will transform Leeside into a community space devoted to
the youth cultures of the skate, bike and graffiti communities.
While things have definitely been tied up in bureaucratic red tape,
we are pushing ahead. Right now we are dealing with an Engineering
requirement that has the tunnel split straight down the middle with
jersey barriers in order to provide 5 meters of space for vehicle and
pedestrian access. While ECOMM (our nearest neighbour) does need
emergence vehicle access through the tunnel, this is the last thing we
want to see. We are in the process of setting up a stakeholder meeting
with Engineering, Parks Board, and ECOMM which will focus on finding
another solution that will serve all the users of this space in a
better manner. This will take place at the end of March and from there
we can start talking design.
We love you guys! I know most, if not all of you are in support of
Leeside Memorial Park, (the skate space/youth art space located in an
un-used tunnel at Hastings Park.)
As you know, youth have been dedicated, working, fundraising,
cleaning going to meetings ect, for over 8 years now. And people are
starting to wonder where things are at? It is hard to explain to people
why Leeside is is not finished, less usable, and covered in a thick
layer of gravel. 8 years ago Lee Matasi and a crew first cleaned it
up, power washed the floor and took out at least 20 bags of trash that
included needles and lots of other goodies. And from then on youth have
continued to do their part.
Friday, February 23, 2007
Just
a reminder that there’s another Park Board meeting coming up where the
City of Vancouver higher-ups will be discussing the future of The
Plaza. In case you didn’t already hear it from Emily Rose or read my earlier post ,
the meeting is at the Park Board Administration Building (2099 Beach
Drive) on Monday, February 26th at 7pm. If you skate The Plaza, you
should come.
As you’ve probably already heard ,
in January the Park Board wisely recommended that The Plaza be made a
permanent facility, but also noted that there are a few issues to be
dealt with. The main concern is that a number of City Gate residents
are finding the increase in skateboard traffic along the east Quebec
St. sidewalk to be annoying/dangerous/infuriating. The Coalition is
working with the Park Board, Engineering, and City Gate residents to
come up with some solutions. At the last meeting, only one City Gate
resident came with a complaint, but you never know, right? We’ve heard
that there’s a motivated anti-Plaza group and if they show up, we
should be there to put up a strong front on our side.
If you want some background info, the meeting agenda is here , and the Park Board’s staff report is here .
Also keep in mind that The Plaza is on the agenda for a City Council meeting on March 1st. Not sure of the time yet.
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
There’s a few things going on over the next month for anyone who
feels inclined to help out skateboarding in Vancouver. China Creek, The
Plaza, Vancouver Youth Week… a facefull of fun’s to be had:
Thursday, Feb 15th at 6:15pm China Creek Clean-up:
As you may or may not have noticed, the barrier disappeared from China
Creek last week. The good news is that it was relocated to The Sweatshop by Fat Chris, Little Buddy,
and Co., not to the scrapyard by the city maintenance crew. Thank yous
can be directed to long-long-time skate scene support crew, The Jaks.
There’s a few other small ramps still around though, and we’re going to
be moving them on Thursday. Probably to the ghetto spot. Any help would
be highly appreciated. After moving the ramps, go watch The China Creeps rip shi*t up at Pub 340.
Monday, Feb 19th Youth Week Meeting at the Douglas Park Community Centre:
The Coalition is going to throw some kind of event for Youth Week
(early May) this year and we’re going to do it in conjunction with the D.P.C.C.
because our man Jeff Cole is in charge of the skateboard program there.
I’m not sure of the exact time (early afternoon… around 1:00… I think)
but I’ll update as soon as I know.
Monday, February 26th at 7pm - Park Board Meeting about The Plaza:
Things are looking great for the future of The Plaza, and we want to
make sure that it stays that way. Show the city administration types
that we’re not spoiled kids who take skateparks for granted by coming
to this meeting at the Park Board Administration Building (2099 Beach
Drive) and telling everyone why The Plaza rules and should stay right
where it is. Keep in mind that people who don’t want The Plaza there
will be free to talk too. It’s better if there’s more of us.
Thursday, March 1st at City Hall - City Council Meeting about The Plaza:
Because The Plaza is on both City and Park Board land, any decisions
about its future have to be deliberated on in a whole whack of
meetings. Again… not sure on the time, will update asap.
Now go watch Southern Slaughter, the new Bacon Skateboards video.
Oh yeah, and do something nice for your girl/boyfriend tomorrow, not
’cause it’s Valentine’s day but because it’s what you should do. Over
and out.
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Published by vsc: 1:46 PM
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Tuesday, January 09, 2007
Hello,
This is to let you know that the final report on the
upgrade to China Creek South Park is scheduled for the Park Board meeting on
Monday, January 15th, 2007. The meeting starts at 7 pm, and will be held at
Park Board Administration Building, 2099 Beach Avenue, in Vancouver.
Here's the link to the staff report:
http://vancouver.ca/parks/board/2007/070115/China%20Creek%20South%20Park%20-%20Concept%20Plan%20for%20Park%20Upgrade%20-%202007%20january.pdf
Here's the link to the meeting agenda:
http://vancouver.ca/parks/board/2007/070115/index.htm
Members of the public are invited to attend and make
presentations. If you wish to speak at the meeting, please register with Julie
Casanova at 604-257-8451 or email her at julie.casanova@vancouver.ca
Please contact me should you have any
questions/comments.
China Creek South Park Website: http://vancouver.ca/parks/info/planning/chinacreeksouth/index.htm
Thank you.
Michel Desrochers
Park Planner
City of Vancouver
Tel: 604-257-8529
-----Original
Message-----
From: Desrochers, Michel
Sent: Wednesday, December 13, 2006
4:59 PM
To: Desrochers, Michel
Subject: China Creek South
Park - Planning Committee recommendation
Hello,
This is to let you know of the outcome of the Dec.
5th meeting regarding China Creek South Park. This was a meeting of the Park
Board's Planning Committee, which is a sub-committee of the full Park Board
(there are 7 Park Commissioners on the Park Board). There were 3 Park
Commissioners present at the Planning Committee meeting: Korina Houghton,
Spencer Herbert and Loretta Woodcock.
Park Board staff did not recommend Option 3 (as had
been announced at the community meeting in October). Instead, Park Board staff
recommended a phased transition:
- phase 1: implement Option 1 but remove the noisiest
elements from the skateboard area (i.e. wooden ramps and metal
rails);
- phase 2: remove existing skateboard area once a
replacement facility is built at a nearby park OR if the existing skateboard
area needs major financial investment.
A total of 20 citizens spoke at the meeting. Thirteen
spoke in favour of Option 1. Seven spoke in favour of Option 3.
The Park Board's Planning Committee decided to
recommend Option 1 to the full Park Board subject to the following:
- the removal of the noisiest elements (wooden ramps
and metal rails) from the skateboard area;
- the construction of a grassy berm south of the two
skateboarding bowls to buffer noise;
- the addition of extra garbage bins near the
skateboard area;
- the installation of signs near the skateboard area
stating appropriate park etiquette;
- the formation of a park committee, consisting of
residents, skateboarders and Park Board staff, to monitor, assess and act on
operational issues in the park.
What's next?
This
project is scheduled to be discussed by the Park Board (all seven Park
Commissioners) on January 15, 2007. We expect the Park Board to make a final
decision about China Creek South Park at this meeting. Members of the public are
invited to attend the meeting and, if they wish, to speak to the Park
Commissioners. Park Board staff will write a report which will be available
during the week of January 8th. I will send you an email in early January
confirming the date of the meeting, how to register to speak and where you can
find the report on the internet.
Please contact me should you have any
questions/comments.
Website: http://vancouver.ca/parks/info/planning/chinacreeksouth/index.htm
Thank you.
Michel Desrochers
Park Planner
City of Vancouver
Tel: 604-257-8529
Thursday, January 04, 2007
Hey guys, just a heads up that The Plaza is one of the items on the agenda for next Tuesday's park board meeting. As you may or may not know, there's a group of City Gate residents who aren't stoked on The Plaza and want it gone. There's a good chance that they'll be there giving their side of the story, so we should all show up too.
The meeting is at the Park Board Main Office (2099 Beach Drive) on Tuesday, January 9th at 7pm.
Wednesday, December 13, 2006
By getting your switch heel krooks down on these you’re actually saving public areas from those who try to sneak under the radar, you know, “the gansta, the killa and the dope dealer” - It would be cool to keep Ice Cube, WC and Mack 10 out of your sacred skate space, no?
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Published by vsc: 12:37 PM
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Wednesday, December 06, 2006
Hey everyone,
We just got back from the Parks Board meeting regarding China Creek. Both sides presented arguments for and against for about 3 hours. (Howard Redekopp, Jeff Chan, Calen Sinclaire, Derek DeLand, Doug Donut, Dan Cummer, Jay Pay, a couple of neighbours in favour, including Cate Atkinson, and me, Kim Glennie, spoke to save the bowls, several neighbours spoke against keeping them.) Mark Vuillamy recommended preserving China Creek, Michel DesRochers did not speak out against them, just presented options 1 and 3.
I'll cut to the chase with the good news - the commissioners present are recommending Option 1 - that is keeping the skatepark! Korina Houghton, Loretta Woodcock and Spencer Herbert were all in favour of keeping the bowls. It will go to vote in the beginning of next year, no other commissioners were present, but Al DeGenova has already voiced his support, so that means we have a majority!
At the end, and to summarize, the commissioners commended the VSPC on their positive action and organization, while recognizing that some of the concerns residents have are real and need to be addressed. The Parks Board did not agree that removing the bowls would keep the 'bad' element out of the park; in fact they thought the opposite was true. The Parks Board felt that all wooden ramps need to be removed, as well as possibly the rail, to limit noise issues, and to also make the park look cleaner. Korina Houghton also acknowledged the historic value of the bowls, she really seemed in favour of some sort of plaque, Loretta Woodcock said we all seem like a great community with lots of history, and Spencer Herbert said the skatepark was far more likely to scare away negative activity than attract it.
Also, the commissioners suggested we all need to work together - that is - meet with residents sometime in future - and cooperate on how this can work for everyone. I suggested doing skateboard mentorship or lessons, through a shop or community centre, and after the meeting, I spoke with several of the complainants, offered my email address, and said I would bring up their concerns and possible solutions at the meeting tomorrow. The Parks Board MAY organize a meeting so we can all get together sometime also. The woman I spoke longest to, Barb, was the Cedar House community policing rep, and really wanted the skatepark gone. I tried to make some suggestions, and she seemed amenable to some of them. They also would like to be invited to the next event, which would be a great way of helping them be less intimidated by us skaters. Anyhow, they are open to discussion with us, in varying degrees, because, really - we all want the same thing - a great park for everyone. With an amazing skate facility as well!
So thanks to everyone who took the time to write an email, come out to the event, show up for any or all of the meetings - it seems like our hard work has paid off.
See ya tomorrow at the meeting, Kim and Derek
ff87kim@vfs.com www.downspace.com www.theformlab.com
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Published by vsc: 1:54 AM
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Friday, December 01, 2006
Go to Antisocial this Saturday Dec 2nd at 8pm. Spend an evening remembering Lee Matasi and Rachel Davis. Bring your skate for brand new mini ramp sesh. By donation. All proceeds will go to building Leeside memorial Park.
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Published by vsc: 11:51 PM
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Wednesday, November 29, 2006
*artists against violence is a new organization formed in response to the murder of Lee Matasi. Lee was a young artist with a promising career ahead of him. He was only 23 when he was killed with a handgun. His death is a call to action against the increasing number of violent and senseless deaths of innocent young people in Canada, each year. We cannot tolerate these murders as an acceptable form of response to the problems and conflicts of daily life. *artists against violence is dedicated to working to provide people of all ages with alternatives to violence when responding to life’s challenges.
Take a minute and sign this petition.
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Published by vsc: 6:08 PM
Updated On: 12/11/2006 at 1:48 PM
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Wednesday, November 29, 2006
Everyone is invited to join us for our monthly VSC meeting at
Antisocial Wednesday, December 6th at 7pm. I mean you! We will try and
have some coffee and bring your skate even if it is snowing.
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Published by vsc: 12:48 PM
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Friday, November 24, 2006
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Published by vsc: 1:51 AM
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Thursday, November 23, 2006
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Published by vsc: 1:17 PM
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Monday, November 20, 2006
The rain miraculously stayed away today and skaters, neighbours,
bikers, babies, dogs and grandmas showed up and partied down at China
Creek this afternoon. Parks Board politicians Spencer Herbert, Al De
Genova, Loretta Woodcock and Korina Houghton also came by and checked
out the action.
Thanks to everyone that helped out, showed up, or sent good vibes.
Keep those positive letters and emails flowing to the Parks Board
though — the rainless sky today was a good omen, but the battle for
China Creek is not yet won. Email the commissioners at: pbcomments@vancouver.ca
Miss Kim from Downspace and two supporters.
Chris gave the quarter-to-fence a beatdown. Here he takes a blunt in to fakie. Nightfighters M.C. represent!
Photos courtesy of George Faulkner.
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Published by vsc: 7:10 PM
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Monday, November 20, 2006
There will be a special screening of HARVEY SPANNOS - a film by Corey Adams. Wednesday Nov. 22 at the Royal Unicorn Cabaret - 147 E. Pender St. in Vancouver. Admission by donation, with proceeds going to the Lee Matasi Memorial Skatepark Project. Doors at 9:00 pm. Screening at 10:00 pm. Dance party post screening.
This great film is a must see, please forward this information to any interested parties.
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Published by vsc: 3:38 PM
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Thursday, November 16, 2006
Leeside this SUNDAY the 19th - 2- 6 pm --------4pm video plays
so come and watch the great NEW toy machine video .....PRODUCT TOSS FOR
BOARDS....see some BANDS....eat some bbq-byobbq if yah want ......drink
some hot cocoa...
skate something in a tunnel away from the rain
LETS SHOW THIS CITY HOW BADLY WE NEED AN INDOOR SKATEBOARD PARK ....or LEESIDE!!!!!!
It’s coming up to a busy weekend for the Vancouver Skateboard
Coalition and our supporters… China Creek Appreciation Day on Saturday
and another event at Leeside on Sunday. A collaboration between the
Coalition and the Leeside Stewardship Group, “November Rain” is going to be a reminder of how cool Leeside will be when it finally gets finished.
November Rain is going to run from 2-6pm on Sunday, November 19th.
There’ll be live music starting at 2:00 courtesy of local bands,
including Jaws, Joel, and the funnest and most fun-loving band in the
city, The Doers.
Skating? Of course, that’s what it’s all about. Bring your tight
tranny skills to the barrier jamboree. A strong showing may even tempt
Deer Man of Dark Woods or Depth Leviathan Dweller to rise from the
shadows.
And when the sun goes down, get cozy and brace yourselves for a screening of Toy Machine’s new video, Suffer the Joy , which has been sending audiences into a frenzy.
Leeside is under the Cassiar connector at Hastings and Hwy 1. From Renfrew St., go east on Pender to the dead end and turn left.
Photo courtesy of sillygwailo.
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Published by vsc: 3:02 PM
Updated On: 11/18/2006 at 12:39 AM
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Wednesday, November 15, 2006
China Creek Park Appreciation Day: THIS SATURDAY, November 18th.
1-4pm with Skate Jam and Prizes happening at 2pm.
Coffee, Hot Chocolate and Tents in place in case it rains.
This is a chance to come and get everyone stoked on China Creek - Parks Board Politicians will be there.
Sponsored by the Coalition and Neighbours in Support of the Skatepark
For more info and article on the event check out http://www.beyondrobson.com/
http://www.vspc.ca/
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