South Vancouver Amenities – Main Motion (Items A–B)

Statement Watch

Good evening, everyone. A RESPECTFUL CHAIR, COMMISSIONER, AND PARK BOARD STAFF. THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK, LET ME SPEAK TODAY. MY NAME IS BALWINDER SINGH VARAK, PRESIDENT OF SUNSET COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION, AND A PROUD RESIDENT OF SOUTH VANCOUVER. I WANT TO BEGIN BY SAYING I DEEPLY APPRECIATE THE VISION BEHIND THIS REVITALIZATION. OUR COMMUNITY IS GROWING. MORE FAMILIES, MORE CHILDREN, MORE SENIORS ALL RELY ON THE SAME SHARED PUBLIC SPACE. SO, YES, I SUPPORT THIS PROJECT. Today, I stand here on behalf of the Ross Park and Mobile Park communities. The Park Board and Sunset Community Association jointly operate Mobile Yards and Craft Center. As a frequent visitor to this park, I hear directly from the people who rely on this space every day. And at the same time, I want to point out the Sunset Queen Association was never approached about this program, this plan, and I'm disappointed by that. Seniors have spoken to me clearly. They are concerned, they are worried, and I'm here to make sure their concern is heard. It's not just about plan or studies or infrastructure. It's about peoples. At Ross Park, there is an old field house. It may not look like much on the paper. It may not meet today's standard, but every day it serves our community. I have witnessed it myself. seniors sitting together, connecting and sharing stories, playing cards, watching over their grandchildren as they are playing in the park, and waiting to pick up their grandchildren from nearby schools. For many, this is a part of their daily life, their routine, the sense of belonging. And in diverse community like Sunset, Mobilee, and Ross Park, these small informal spaces matter even more. In a new revitalization plan, Fieldhouse is missing. And they have told that these activities can be accommodated somewhere else. This was told by the committee who was doing the surveys. Elsewhere, for the seniors, means too far, too cold. More importantly, safety matters these days, and we know what's going on on the streets. Necklaces being snatched in Vancouver South. I don't want my elders to be facing those. What it may seem like, if we remove this space completely, we are not just replacing a building, we are removing a place of comfort, a place of connection, a place where people feel they belong. And that is why I'm here today. not to oppose, but to strengthen this plan. My request is simple, practical, and achievable. Please include a small indoor game or gathering room, approximately 150 square feet, as part of a new facility at Ross Park. This is not going to break the bank, because building that probably won't cost you more than $45,000. I do not need to be large. It does not need to be expensive. But it will mean everything to the people who use it. It will give seniors a place to sit, to talk, to stay connected. It will support grandparents who care for the next generation. We often talk about building inclusive spaces. This is what inclusion looks like, not just in the world, but in the real world, everyday life. I'm sorry to cut you off, but that's the three minutes. I'm sorry to cut you off, but we have to move on to the next speaker.

I'm sorry you have three minutes, and we have 14 more speakers to go, so I'm sorry to cut you off, but we have to move on.

Yes.

We hear that. Thank you. Do any commissioners have questions? Commissioner Herr has a question for you.

Thank you so much for coming out. Can you please let me know the various ways that people can get a hold of you and your... Can we keep the topics related to the recommendations on the board?

The speaker's list is... Well, I think he was concerned that he wasn't contacted. I think the staff know how to contact the Sunset Community Centre.

Well, why wasn't he contacted then?

I'm not going to comment on why, but the how has been answered, which is I think staff have the contact information of the Community Center Association.

It was just a question, and I think I'm allowed to ask him a question here and time.

Statement Watch

Yeah, I'm here. Can you hear me?

Yes, we can hear you. Yep. If you could state your name, who you're representing, your position on the matter, and you'll have three minutes. Please go ahead.

Thank you. My name is Paul Beasley. I'm representing the Casa de Juan Society as the vice president of KDS. KDS is a longstanding South Island organization. with approximately a membership of over 12 000 folks and established back in 1906 i'm a resident of sunset which is on Musqueam lands i'll try to keep it as concise as possible as requested i want to thank arc board staff for working on this so diligently and for asking or rather answering all the great questions by the Park Board Commissioners. I want to thank the entire board for supporting this important investment in infrastructure. I want to validate the concerns of the previous speaker, Mr. Vorach, in the sense of we need to ensure that when we're giving something to the community, we're mindful of what we may be taking away. And so I would only ask that staff look at provisions. If provisions can be made, to ensure that future development can occur for any needed infrastructure that is currently not in the concept plan. For example, a gathering space for seniors. Again, I wanna just thank everyone for all their hard work on this. I support this concept plan and I'm looking forward to seeing it come to completion. Thank you for your time.

Statement Watch

commissioners. My name is Preeti Friedkot. I'm here to express my strong support for the South Vancouver Park amenities concept plan for Moberly Park and Ross Park. This investment has been waiting for a very long time and it's important that we recognize the value of space that supports seniors, ensuring opportunities for connection, recreation and accessibility that help foster health and a strong sense of belonging within our community i would like to also emphasize that the community has been waiting far too long for these improvements now they're finally moving forward it is essential that they are built the right way we must ensure the turf is fully supportive of field hockey even if that means considering a water-based field so it meets the highest standard and serves athletes and future generation effectively. This is our opportunity to get it right and deliver a lasting, meaningful investment for South Vancouver. So I respectfully urge all the commissioners to please approve these concept plans. Thank you for your time and your consideration.

Statement Watch

Hi, everyone.

I'm representing myself tonight.

I support and accept the concept plan. sure there is a gathering space for seniors at both locations. And I'm going to go off the script for just a minute here. It is so crucial and integral to the well-being of our elderly population and our seniors to have a common space, to have a shared social place where they can come together, much like back home or back in India as well. where there were common gathering places or there were areas designated for our seniors to go so that they can socialize and just for their overall health and wellness and the betterment of their mental health as well. The second point is I am requesting that you make the turf fully supportive of field hockey, even if that means a water-based field as well. So thank you so much.

Statement Watch

Hello. My name is Gurdit Bisla. Thank you for having me. I'm representing myself, and I'm calling to support and accept the concept plan. Similarly, I am requesting that this location be suitable for seniors, for them to gather. I have family members that personally do use these areas now as well. So I'm hoping that it can be a space that is made suitable for seniors to gather as well. I'm requesting, I was listening to Councillor Verney there, his experience with field hockey. I think he's got a wealth of knowledge there based on his experiences in playing at an elite level of field hockey. And based on what he said, I am hoping that we can, I'm fully supportive that we can request the field hockey, the field to be supportive of field hockey. And even if that means a water-based field. And that's all I have for tonight. Thank you very much for having me.

Statement Watch

Good evening, everyone. My name is Tristan Burgoyne. I'm a member of the Vancouver Hawks. I'm a player for the Vancouver Hawks, but I'm representing myself. I'm also a past national team athlete. I played on the men's national field hockey team for about seven years. And I'm here because I support the Moverley Park field hockey field. I'm excited for it. But... I'm here to advocate that it should be a water-based turf and not a dry turf, so a Category 2 or Category 1 turf, just the turf, not a Category 3 as it's currently being proposed. I've travelled the world playing field hockey. I've played at the Commonwealth Games, the Junior World Cup in India, decrepit stadiums in Mexico City, as well as drought-stricken places like San Diego, LA, and Phoenix. And what's consistent is there are water-based turfs and the quality of turf. And not all turf is the same. Unfortunately, field hockey is a very fast game. It's a very precise game. And even a small change in lower quality turfs dramatically, dramatically impacts the quality of play, the speed of play, and changes the game very dramatically. There are turfs out there that, you know, I would make the comparison to soccer where you're playing on turf versus gravel. That can be the difference in turf qualities to try to make it an analogy, if you will. Finally, I would just say that while I'm a national team athlete, I've played at a very high level. This is a community sentiment. My mom, she's 68. She still plays recreationally. My sister just started playing recreationally as well in the last two years on her team. They would say the same. So I would advocate that you go the extra mile with this investment. Have a water-based turf and do it right the first time. Thank you so much.

Thank you very much. Commissioner Jensen has a question for you.

Yeah, the field states that it's going to be FIH quality. Is that not a quality that allows for the best play of our potential athletes?

Yeah, great question. As I said, turf is kind of precarious. There's turf that is approved and is used, but it's not the same quality. It does change the game quite dramatically. And that's why they listed the cost being... no different to have a different quality turf. And we would advocate, I would advocate for a category two or category one level turf, uh, given that, um, to give you an example, Eric Hammer, we're very lucky to have that field in Vancouver, but it is a completely different, completely different turf than at Rutledge or, um, In Surrey, at Tamanois Park, completely different. The game is night and day different. Bouncy ball, it doesn't track the same way. You can't hit the same way. It's very firm, too. It's kind of harder on your body. Actually, we've had injuries from national team players when we played there too much, just from the firmness of it. So, yeah, the point being that all turf is not the same, and for the same investment costs, go to category two would be what I'd advocate for.

And then a follow-up question. Would you be sufficient in potentially delaying this project so we can fund it through the 2027 capital plan, or would you feel that the need is so great that this should move ahead with a Category 3 in spite of the flaws in the turf? That's a great question.

That's the pivot point we are stuck at. What's the time delay and the cost difference?

Well, as I said, there's no money tomorrow, as was quoted by our staff. So the quote-unquote million-dollar question.

Was the cost difference not the same? I believe that's what the staff said for Category 2 versus Category 3 level turf.

There was no delay. Yeah. If there is no cost difference, well, we figured that out. Thank you. Okay, thank you.

Statement Watch

Hello, everyone. Thank you so much. I remember all of you for the last time. I think that was a couple years ago, so sorry, I'm really tall. Right there? Okay. Yeah, sorry, my name's Chris Reuthaus. I saw everyone two years ago, so I just want to say thank you for pushing forward the... The field hockey field, old teammate of Tristan here. Actually, we're on the junior national team together. Just want to clarify from the last speaker's point. I believe that there's no budget difference between a dry turf and a water-based turf. So if from a community aspect, if we want like full rental usage, it would be. more beneficial to the city of Vancouver to go with the higher level or the category one or category two turf. If there's no budget difference, I'd recommend moving forward with the proposal, but also just clarifying that the category three would not be the more ideal turf for field hockey users. I recently joined as the Vancouver Hawks club head coach. I'm responsible of programming from a U5 to a senior level. dry turf would just not meet the needs of all of those users we'd be looking at renting field elsewhere air camber ubc we use crofton house but having moberly park as a category one or two would allow all of our users to rent it which would mean more money back to the city of vancouver One thing I love about hockey is just the tournaments that we can bring in. The city of Surrey does an amazing job at Tamanuis Park. They have three water-based pitches. Regardless of the orientation, regardless of... I think there was a couple of like different variations within the categories. As long as it's water-based turf, we will bring in the majority, if not all field hockey users, which makes me just say again, I think that it should be a water-based pitch, not a dry turf. Again, I want to reiterate, it sounded like there is no budget difference. So moving forward with that water-based pitch would make most sense for the city of Vancouver. I got a minute left. So I want to say water-based pitch two more times. I'd love to see a water-based pitch instead of a dry turf. Thank you.

Thank you. You don't have to use the full three minutes.

It's not a requirement. I used the full like five minutes last time. So maybe I want to get back.

Statement Watch

My name is Patrick Oswald. I'm a longtime member of the local field hockey community. I think I started playing in 1968, and I'm still playing. And some members of the people I play with, they're in their 80s. So this is a sport for life, and the surface that we play on really makes a difference. We started on grass back in the 60s and 70s, and then we went to sand-based, which is a It's probably why most of us have terrible knees these days. And now we're playing on, you know, beautiful cushioned turf. So the surface makes a difference. And this business of whether or not it's east-west oriented or north-south oriented or even if the lights meet category one, the surface is so important. Tristan mentioned that just before. And I'd like to echo that. I'm personally training to go represent Canada. We're representing Canada in over 65 Masters tournaments in Holland, the Netherlands, sorry, in August. And we're training as best we can. And we need to train on the kind of turf that we're going to be playing on when we're representing Canada. It doesn't matter what age. Juniors, Nationals, Masters. It's just a great sport. Give us, if you're going to put this turf in, which I'm delighted about, it's absolutely fantastic, great location too. A lot of field hockey families live in the area, and they're going to find it so easy to get to this park. So we're all very excited about it. Please, please, a fully Category 1 equivalent level, fully water-based turf, please. Thank you. Any questions? Are there any questions? You got me.

Seeing none, thank you very much for coming to speak.

Yeah, thanks.

Statement Watch

Thank you. Hi, everybody. Also, second or third, I don't know, we were here a long time the last time, so just thank you so much to all of you. It's delightful to see this project coming to fruition. I live in Sunset in that community area. I'm fully supportive of this project, and I just reiterate what Everybody else said, we need a water-based turf. I have four children that play. My daughter's going to speak next. She'll speak better than I will. National team level, junior national team, one daughter in Chile right now. My son plays, my daughter plays, my husband's playing for the Masters. Water-based turf is the gold standard. It's what we need to develop the sport, and grassroots-level development on the right surface makes a difference. So thank you, and water-based turf.

Statement Watch

thank you very much Sally any questions seeing none we'll move on to our next speaker Gordon Johnston by phone hear me yes we can hear you please go ahead three minutes awesome thank you yeah my name is Gordon Johnston I'm also a member of the Vancouver Hawks field hockey club I'm also an alumni of field hockey Canada played

on the national team for 13 years and represented Canada at two Olympic Games. I'm here today to echo a lot of the things that have already been said in the room and on the line. And one thing that I wanted to highlight was how international players, how they grow up and the facilities they have access to. makes a world of difference. I know that I was lucky enough to grow up near two water-based turfs that were within a five-minute drive from my house. I was very privileged to have that opportunity where I had world-class facilities at my doorstep. That meant that the unstructured play of getting to a field that was at the highest level and at the standard that international players played at made a world of difference. Having Facilities like that in my community meant that I had the ability to go out and do things in an unstructured way, work on different skills. As Tristan talked about, this is a very precise sport, a sport that is not the same on different levels of turf. I really liked his analogy of grass to gravel. It really is like that until you play and until you watch it at the international level. It's really hard to really understand why we like having a water-based turf, but it makes a world of difference and it makes it one of the most exciting games out there. So I just want to advocate for thinking about this, not just from the national team level and the ability to host international tournaments, but providing a world-class facility for community members to use in an unstructured way and allowing them to have access to a water-based turf. And it's delightful to hear that it's a similar budget price to bring in the Category 1 or Category 2 turf because it really does make a big difference. And it's how a lot of players get to be able to represent the country and play internationally is by having access to good facilities and playing international tournaments in their own backyard. So with that, I fully support this project, and I'm thankful for all the hard work from those involved and fully support the Category 1 field.

Statement Watch

Hello, my name is Michaela Stelling, and I'm a Canadian national team field hockey athlete representing my teammates all across the country. I just want to say thank you all for your work thus far, and I totally support this project. I'm here to speak about the need for specifically a water-based AstroTurf for field hockey in our community, as mentioned. Field hockey is a precision, speed, and skill-based sport, and the surface it's played on directly determines the quality and safety of the game. Ball speed, stick handling, passing accuracy, and the overall flow all depends on this consistent water-based AstroTurf. On any other surface, the game fundamentally changes. The ball bounces unpredictably, slows down, and increases the risk of injury. One example is the dry turf that I played on at the University of Toronto. My knees are always destroyed as I'm diving for tips on net. because it's just not the same surface. High-performance sport also doesn't start at the national team. It starts at the grassroot level. Infrastructure is the foundation of that pathway. Young athletes grow up learning the game on the surfaces available to them, and when that surface isn't right, they develop habits that don't carry into the international game. As an athlete and coach, so I coach from age five to age 65, I've seen this firsthand. It limits athletes from executing the skills they train for and puts them at a competitive disadvantage compared to countries training on the proper surface. As I mentioned, I play for the Canadian Senior Women's National Team, and I represent not just myself, but an entire community striving to compete at the highest level and compete with the rest of the countries that we play against in various international competition. Field hockey is one of the most widely followed sports in the world, and investing in a water-based turf is not just about building a field, it's about supporting athlete development, creating equitable access to high-performance sports, and giving our community the opportunity to compete on the world stage. Thank you.

Statement Watch

Good evening. I just wanted to talk quickly about some of the concerns, the class one, that was the east-west, north-south issue. Vancouver has one of the two north-south running fields, the other one being UBC that's for hockey. There's one in West Van that's east-west, and all of the fields in Surrey at Timanavos are east-west. Both Rutledge in West Van and the Timanavos fields have held FIH qualifications, and they were junior Pan Ams last year, and so they've all held top-level FIH points, and senior ones out in Rutledge on the east-west running fields. While FIH and everywhere else prefers that, they also accept that. I was just quickly looking. I'm hoping to represent Canada with the over 55 Masters team, and they're building a brand-new field in Belgium to go with the other three, and two of them are east-west. I was just looking at the fields, and two are north-south. So, again, they're holding international tournaments, but all of those ones are on water-based fields. That was all I've got.

Statement Watch

Okay, thanks. Thank you very much for the opportunity to speak. My name is Angela Bate. And I note that I am a member of the Vancouver field hockey club, Vancouver Hawks field hockey club, but I had meant to state that I'm speaking for myself today, not as a representative of the club. So within the field hockey community, I'm a hell of many hats. I'm the parent of a player who played through her preteen and teen years. I've been a team manager, age group coordinator, tournament team coordinator. I'm also a player myself. Field hockey is not a sport I grew up playing. I only started playing six years ago at the age of 49. So it's a sport you can start playing rather late in life. And I follow the footsteps of my daughter in this case. So the sport offers community and team space for youth and adults. It's played by people of all ages and genders. It can be played year-round in Vancouver with junior, senior leagues, training, skills, and informal drop-in. So we do need more spaces to play so we can grow the game. I'm very happy to support the concept plan for Mobile League Park, certainly for the field hockey. elements but also for friends in the community that are very excited about the upgrades so like the other field hockey players tonight i support the inclusion of a water-based field hockey option the category one or two for field hockey certainly for the elite level players as you've heard or any of our club members who are pushing for high performance development it's just a better standard and it helps build better players but even for a very amateur recreational player such as myself playing on a water-based turf improves safety and performance. The water-based pitch allows for more consistency in play, more consistency in the balls, and greater facility of movement. I'll note I had the unfortunate experience yesterday of tripping over my own foot as I dragged across the dry Hamburg turf since we hadn't watered it for training. And while I'm fine, it did remind me of how better facilities support better and safer play. Thank you again.