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February 20, 2018

City plan holds promise for new boating centre in False Creek

Disappointment has turned to cautious optimism as Dragon Boat BC, and its affiliated Dragon Zone Paddling Club, move a step closer to fulfilling the dream of building a non-motorized community boating centre in False Creek.

False Creek, with its protected waters and access to public transit, is an ideal location for a community boating facility, as was noted in a 2012 Project Definition Report commissioned by the City of Vancouver.

Dragon Boat BC General Manager Ann Phelps appeared before Vancouver City Council on January 30, 2018 to express support for including the boating centre as part of the City’s current Northeast False Creek Plan.

The Promise

During a colourful audio-visual presentation, Ann reminded council members of both the 2012 Project Definition Report and the City of Vancouver’s decision in 2014 to approve a $5.2 million budget from a developer’s fund to build a community boating facility. An initial $1 million donation from Concord Pacific was allocated as a first step toward funding the project.

Dragon Boat BC used a portion of the initial funds to build a new dock and boat storage sheds on False Creek’s south side. However, plans are to move the dock and sheds to the north side and to build the boating centre as part of redevelopment of the area under the Northeast False Creek Plan.

The Turnaround

Plans for the boating centre were excluded in an early draft of the NEFC Plan. Following disappointment expressed by Dragon Boat BC, Parks Board Commissioner Michael Wiebe brought forward an emergency motion to be voted on at the Vancouver Park Board Meeting on January 29th. This was followed up the next day by a City of Vancouver motion (on page 55) “Confirming a Non-Motorizing Boating Facility as a Priority,” moved by Councillor Raymond Louie, seconded by Councillor Adriane Carr, and unanimously carried.

The motion recognized that “Canoe, kayak, dragon boat and outrigger programs operating from the Creekside Community Centre boating area have grown by over 10% per year, which has increased the need for a facility in False Creek.”

The Future

A community boating entre to be built in False Creek will serve as a home base for all forms of local flatwater paddling, including canoe, kayak, outrigger, dragon boat racing, and rowing. The centre would also provide facilities for up to 5,000 members of international dragon boat teams that visit Vancouver each year to participate in the Concord Pacific Vancouver Dragon Boat Festival. Throughout the year, the centre would provide positive outreach, mentoring, and sporting activities for youth-at-risk, as well as accessible paddling programs and facilities for people with different mental and physical abilities.

As envisioned by Dragon Boat BC, the multipurpose non-motorized boating centre would operate under the inclusive mandate of the Canadian International Dragon Boat Festival Society, ensuring that anyone who wishes to take part in a paddling activity is given the opportunity, regardless of age, sex, sexual orientation, race, culture, physical or mental abilities, or ability to pay.

Ann stresses, “Our goal is that no one is left behind.”