\u201cIts closure was a prelude to what\u2019s coming \u2026 it was a canary in a coal mine,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
The proposal comes as the city prepares its three-year capital plan, with discussions underway between park board and city staff, along with the mayor, councillors and commissioners ahead of a June presentation.<\/p>\n
The money would be used to improve and expand on the recreational system of 240 parks and beaches, two dozen community centres, 14 aquatic facilities, 155 sports fields and eight ice rinks.<\/p>\n
Board chair Tom Digby said the final figure is not set, but said the amount reflects system-wide needs rather than taxpayer cost alone.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe taxpayer portion might only be a small part of that amount,\u201d said Digby.<\/p>\n
The capital investments would come from the city\u2019s real estate and facilities management department, not the park board.<\/p>\n
That department, which is responsible for maintaining and renewing park board facilities, has called for a five-year, $347 million emergency restoration fund that is part of the park board\u2019s capital plan for 2023-26. But none of that money has been spent, said Bastyovanszky. In fact, he said, the opposite happened, with the city reallocating $50 million from parks and rec during a mid-term council budget review.<\/p>\n
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Vancouver park commissioner Brennan Bastyovanszky<\/p>\n
The auditor general said more is needed, and said the facilities management department should work with the park board on a plan to upgrade park facilities.<\/p>\n
The billion-plus investment is proposed as part of the 2027-30 capital plan. A special meeting of the park board on Tuesday, April 7, will discuss priorities and allow the public to weigh in on the draft plan.<\/p>\n
It would then be voted on by the park board in early July, then go to city council in late July \u2014 when the public will again be able to speak to council before it is added to October 2026 municipal election ballots, where Vancouverites can vote to approve or reject borrowing for the upgrades.<\/p>\n
The proposal outlines major investments, including $200 million for aquatic facilities, including the replacement of the Kitsilano pool and a new 50-metre pool, $200 million for community centre renewals that prioitize Hastings, Kensington and Renfrew, and $300 million for seawall repairs, playgrounds, sports fields and infrastructure upgrades.<\/p>\n
It also includes a proposed $300 million renewal of Britannia Community Centre<\/a> in partnership with the Vancouver Canucks<\/a>, alongside $100 million for\u00a0 projects partnered with government, and $50 million for biodiversity restoration initiatives, including work at Lost Lagoon and Beaver Lake in Stanley Park.<\/p>\n As part of the proposal, $100 million is earmarked for government-partnered projects, including the renewal of RayCam Community Centre in collaboration with B.C. Housing, as well as the West End Community Hub and Strathcona Community Centre, both of which would require support from the Vancouver school board.<\/p>\n The park board proposal includes a proposed $300 million renewal of Britannia Community Centre in partnership with the Vancouver Canucks.<\/p>\n Digby said the end-of-life state of recreation facilities is partly tied to a 2011 decision<\/a> when the city centralized facilities management under its Real Estate and Facilities Management department as part of a broader service review aimed at improving efficiency.<\/p>\n \u201cDid we get what we bargained for when we tried to save money and consolidate services in 2011? No,\u201d Digby said.\u00a0 \u201cWe lost all visibility for parks and recreation, compared to sewers and other areas of infrastructure need in the city.\u201d<\/p>\n For park board commissioners, the stakes are clear: without substantial new funding, they warn, residents may begin to see more closures or service reductions across Vancouver\u2019s parks and recreation network.<\/p>\n \u201cDo people want to see Kits Pool closed? Britannia closed? Or have to take swim lessons in other municipalities?\u201d Digby said.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re not asking for anything the community isn\u2019t already engaged in,\u201d added Bastyovanszky, noting that many residents are feeling the impact of facility and parks disrepair, including difficulty finding available swimming lessons and sports fields.<\/p>\n The park board\u2019s $1.35 billion capital plan proposal for 2027-30 includes $200 million for expansion of Britannia Community Centre in a collaboration with the Vancouver Canucks.<\/p>\n Here is how the $1.35 billion would be spent:$300 million for parks and open spaces<\/p>\n \u2022 Seawall and waterfront repairs due to storm tides $50 million for biodiversity restoration projects<\/p>\n \u2022 Return Stanley Park Lagoon to an intertidal estuary $200 million for aquatic facilities<\/p>\n \u2022 Replacement of the Kitsilano Pool $200 million for community centres<\/p>\n \u2022 Community centre renewals prioritizing Hastings, Kensington and Renfrew $300 million for Britannia Community Centre<\/p>\n \u2022 In collaboration with the Canucks, upgrades and renewal of Britannia including enhanced ice rink facilities, the swimming pool and community centre spaces $100 million for government-partnered programs<\/p>\n \u2022 Renewal of RayCam Co-operative Centre, with B.C. Housing $200 million for planning and in-kind support of developer-led projects<\/p>\n \u2022 New Northeast False Creek community centre and skating rink The park board also envisions providing planning support for community-led capital projects at facilities operated by partners, including Van Dusen Gardens, Bloedel Conservatory, Jericho Sailing Centre, Burrard Marina, Dr. Sun Yat Sen Gardens and others. No price tag was associated with supporting those projects.<\/p>\n![\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/480abbfaa4dc3960c5cd71a67af6490a.jpeg\"\/)
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\u2022 Stump removal, new and replacement trees and pruning in the city\u2019s urban forests and natural areas
\u2022 New parks, including Burrard Slopes, a second phase for East Park and four others
\u2022 Park renewals in John Hendry, Strathcona, Columbia, Delamont parks and others
\u2022 Parkland acquisition in the Broadway plan area, Rupert-Renfrew, the future UBC extension corridor and other \u201copportunistic purchases\u201d
\u2022 Concrete pool replacements in favour of recirculating spray parks
\u2022 Playground renewals and updates, including an inclusive play area at Memorial South
\u2022 Sports court and skate park repairs and upgrades and a new lacrosse box
\u2022 New synthetic turf at Beaconsfield, Columbia and Oak Park; six synthetic turf replacements at Trillium, Memorial South, Jericho and Empire fields; and capital maintenance of 155 grass fields and ball diamonds
\u2022 Maintenance of new competition facilities at Killarney Park and Kerrisdale-Point Grey Secondary
\u2022 Six new and renewed off-leash dog parks in Mount Pleasant, Grandview-Woodland, Kitsilano West and John Hendry (Trout Lake)
\u2022 Stanley Park bike lane and roof repairs for park buildings
\u2022 11 new and renewed washrooms, including at Everette Crowley Park<\/p>\n
\u2022 Biodiversity recovery for Beaver Lake in Stanley Park
\u2022 Flood protection and biodiversity recovery in Still Creek and Renfrew Ravine watershed
\u2022 Protection of the trail system in Champlain Heights
\u2022 Invasive management in Musqueam Park Forest<\/p>\n
\u2022 Planning for a new 50-metre pool, and community pools<\/p>\n
\u2022 Maintenance of all other community centres<\/p>\n
\u2022 Additional funding would come from the Canucks, the province and other sources<\/p>\n
\u2022 Upgrades to West End Community Hub and Strathcona Community Centre, both of which need support from the Vancouver school board<\/p>\n
\u2022 New Fraser River District community centre<\/p>\n