ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT

Date: November 26, 1999
Author/Local:Kate D-J 257-8471
RTS No. 01150

CC File No. 8009

Council: December 14, 1999

TO:	Vancouver City Council and Vancouver Park Board
FROM:	General Manager of Parks & Recreation in consultation with the Director of Finance
SUBJECT:	Hastings Park Restoration - Year 2000 Funding

RECOMMENDATION

THAT Council authorize the expenditure of $3.75 million on Phase 3 of the Hastings Park Restoration, with specific contracts for landscape design, engineering, removal of asphalt, landscape construction and planting to be let by the Vancouver Park Board: Source of funds to be borrowing authority approved as part of the 2000 - 2002 Capital Plan ($2.9 million) and the Hastings Park Reserve ($850,000).

COUNCIL POLICY

1. In January 1990, City Council approved that Hastings Park be restored to predominantly park use replacing asphalt and buildings with abundant green space and trees.

2. In March 1997, both City Council and the Park Board approved the Hastings Park Restoration Plan.

3. In July 1999, Council approved an Operating Agreement with the PNE. It has a three year term beginning January 1, 2000 and terminating December 31, 2002. Phase III park restoration is provided for in stages over the next three years. (see Appendix 1)

4. Council approves the Park Board Capital Budget, 2000-2002.

BACKGROUND

Following the approval of the Hastings Park Restoration in 1997, park restoration has progressed. Two phases have been completed to date:

Phase I: The first phase of the restoration involved demolition of the Food, Showmart and Display Barns as well as the B.C. Pavilion Buildings ($2.0 million). This was completed in the summer of 1998.
Phase II: The second phase was the Hastings Park Sanctuary at a cost $4.2 million and comprises 4 hectares of which 1.6 hectares are a biofiltration pond to treat storm water runoff (1999).

The 2000 - 2002 Capital Plan includes funding to continue the redevelopment of Hastings Park. On November 20, 1999 the electorate approved borrowing questions which give Council the authority to issue debentures to pay for capital works including up to $5.25 million for Hastings and New Brighton Parks. Allocation of these funds to this purpose requires specific approval of Council.

DISCUSSION

Hastings Park Restoration Phase III

Within the new operating agreement with the PNE is provision for proceeding with Phase III of the restoration program which is proposed to be completed over three years at a total estimated cost of $10.5 million.

This phase is made up of three components:

· The initial phase is the Renfrew restoration, which is the area along Renfrew Street between Rollerland and the Forum (2.5 hectares). The major elements of the concept include a skateboard park, a children’s play area, bocce court and a water feature (2000).
· The area of the Former Empire Stadium is the second component of this phase. This is a 5.5 hectare area and will be restored as sports fields (2000/2001), and the abandoned transit tunnel will provide pedestrian and bicycle access to the park.
· The third component of this phase is the concept of the extension to the santuary area which is presently used as a parking lot (3.0 hectares) and located east of the Livestock Building. It’s present name is “Exhibition Bowl” (2001/2002).

The design of the Renfrew area is nearing completion with an anticipated construction start in January 2000. Initial design for the Empire Bowl playing fields will commence during the summer of 2000. Further spending authority for that component will be sought upon the completion of design drawings.

This table illustrates work to be carried out and associated costs:

EXPENDITURES
Construction costs of Renfrew restoration	3,500,000
Design of Empire Bowl	250,000
TOTAL	3,750,000
SOURCES OF FUNDING
Advance from the 2000-2002 Park Board Capital Budget	2,900,000
Transfer from the Hasting Park Reserve	850,000
TOTAL	3,750,000

The Italian Canadian community has come forward with a fundraising plan to contribute in the order of $500,000 towards the Renfrew Area restoration. The design but not the program has been adjusted somewhat to give the area an Italian flavour. That portion of Hastings Park will be known as Il Giardino Italiano.

The proceeds of the fundraising campaign may not be available at the time of contract awards and therefore sufficient capital funds need to be authorized to enable the Board to award contracts in a timely fashion consistent with the Operating Agreement between the City and the PNE. Any funds raised through the Il Giardino Italiano initiative will be utilized to supplement City capital funds for Hastings Park Restoration.

Funding for the restoration project is derived from two sources:

· the 2000-2002 Capital Plan, which was approved by the voters on November 20, 1999 provides $5,250,000 for Hastings and New Brighton Park.
· The Hastings Park Reserve receives funding from the race track lease with the Pacific Racing Association and will also receive $1.1 million termination payment from the PNE due under the current lease. Once the termination payment is received (by December 20, 1999) it is anticipated the balance in the reserve will be $927,000.

Authorization of $3.75 million for the restoration project will permit the next phase of work to proceed in accordance with the Operating Agreement with the PNE. Funding is requested from borrowing authority approved as part of the 2000-2002 Capital Plan ($2.9 million) and from the Hastings Park Reserve ($850,000). Any unused funds will be available for the next components of Phase III.

CONCLUSION

The completion of Phase I and II of the Hastings Park Restoration project have been successful in their intent to provide green public space. Advance approval of funding for Phase III will help to meet obligations set out in the Operating Agreement with the PNE and will maintain the progression to complete park restoration as previously committed.

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(c) 1998 City of Vancouver