I’m not an architect or a planner but I am a resident who has had the good fortune to live in my Dunbar neighborhood for almost 25 years. We’ve raised our two boys here and we love the area, but I do not like what I see. I’m not talking about the demolition of older single-storey bungalows which are being replaced with larger homes … what I am talking about is the construction building of homes with a design that in no way fit into the character of the neighborhood.

Case in point – an ugly square, bunker-looking home that is being built in the 4000 block of West 33rd Avenue in Vancouver. I pass by it every weekend while walking my dog home from the park and I cringe. I cannot quite get over whatever would possess an architect to design such an ugly home. I am sure former Director of Planning, Brent Toderian was a fine individual but if he is responsible for allowing homes like this to be constructed, then in my opinion he deserved to be dismissed.

I have no problem with the demolition of older bungalows to make way for larger, energy efficient homes. I understand that change happens and we need to densify. What does concern me is the long-term impact these homes of dreadful design will have on protecting the character of our neighborhoods.

Maybe we need to bring in neighborhood design panels that would have the opportunity to see the design of a home and approve before it’s built. What do you think?

I want to especially recognize my colleagues from the NPA, John Coupar and Melissa De Genova and from VV, Niki Sharma and Trevor Loke who were successful in winning a seat at the Board table for the first time. A shout out to Constance Barnes, Sarah Blyth and Aaron Jasper who were returned for a second term. You all have been given the responsibility by the voters to preserve, advocate and protect our valuable Parks and recreation services. Remember this when you are making those important decisions at the Board table.

So what’s in store for me? Who knows! I’m going to remain open to all options that come my way.

For now, it’s time to reflect on the past six years; six years that have been some of the most rewarding years of my life.

Oh … and what about this website? It’s going to remain but it will look and feel a little different. Stay tuned!

The Centre contains a community centre with a state-of-the-art fitness centre, full-size gymnasium , climbing wall and a community kitchen. In addition to a community centre, the facility also contains a library, day-care centre and market rental housing. It is really gratifying to see what can happen when you have various levels of municipal government and staff come together to create a facility that will do the residents of this neighborhood proud for many, many years to come.

However as I was sitting there listening to the speakers recognize and thank the elected officials in attendance I couldn’t help but think it’s not the current council or park board that should receive the recognition but the council and park board that were around when the tough decisions were taken.

So thank you to the following park commissioners that were elected at the time. They are:

Duncan Wilson, Chair
Laura McDiarmid
Roslyn Cassells
Allan De Genova
Clarence Hansen
Diane Ledingham
Christopher Richardson

This new community centre has been in the works for a long time; in fact the development process was undertaken and approved before my first term on the Park Board in 2005.

Kudos to the community for coming together and helping to shape what is going to be a very popular place.

So come and join the community and celebrate the opening.  Official opening ceremonies kick off at 1:00pm on Januray 16th in the gymnasium.

Attendance for December 2009 was 8,213 compared to 2,571 for 2008.

OK, credit the media and the fact that at this point it could be closing for the increase but the optimist in me says this is Vancouverites voting with their feet to keep it open.  My e-mail and voice mail continue to receive messages from people from every neighborhood across the city that they want the Conservatory to remain open and in public hands. 

Sure, we can’t continue for the Conservatory to be a burden on taxpayers and lose $240,000 per year but the fact is the last 5-6 years have not made the conservatory an inviting or convenient place to visit due to resevoir upgrading and Canada Line construction.  Even if attendance were to improve by 40%, the Conservatory would break even.  It needs a chance.

More on this by Charlie Smith at the Georgia Straight and Andy Ivens at The Province.

You can also learn more by checking out the website developed by ‘Friends of the Bloedel’ at www.friendsofthebloedel.ca

The Park Board voted in favour of issuing an RFP (Request For Proposal) from private interest groups to develop plans to keep both facilities open.  Deadline for submission to the Board is April 30, 2010.  If no legitimate proposals come forward, these two long-standing institutions will permanenetly close.

I am cautiously optimistic.  As you know I have been against the closure of both these Vancouver icons.  However in recent days I have come to know John Coupar who with a very small group, called ‘Friends of the Bloedel’ have managed to create a very large petition (+5000 names) against closing the Conservatory.  John and his group are from being done.  “We consider the motion to give us some time a small victory” John told me on Tuesday.  Already plans are in place to meet with representatives from Van Dusen Gardens to understand how their very successful model works.

I wish them good luck and will work with them to explore all opportunities to keep this landmark open.