ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT

                                      Date: February 23, 1996
                                      Dept. File No.


   TO:       Vancouver City Council

   FROM:     General Manager of Parks & Recreation

   SUBJECT:  1996 Park Board Capital Budget - Advance Approval


   RECOMMENDATION

        THAT  advance approval  in the  amount of  $1,198,500 for  the Park
        Board's 1996  Capital Budget  be approved  for  Stanley Park  cliff
        stabilization,   playground    redevelopment,   asbestos   removal,
        painting, roof  replacement, and  general facility improvements  as
        described in Appendix I.


   COUNCIL POLICY

   Each  year the Park Board is required  to submit its annual Capital Plan
   for approval.


   BACKGROUND

   In  November 1993, the voters approved the  Board's 3-year (1994 - 1996)
   capital  plan totalling  $25,980,000.   The 1994-1996  Budget Management
   Program  reduced this by $500,000  for a final  approval of $25,480,000.
   The annual allocations are:

                                      Allocation
        1994 Approved                 11,450,000
        1995 Approved                 7,447,000
        1996 Allocation               6,583,000
        1994-1996 Capital Plan        25,480,000

   DISCUSSION

   Although  the overall  3-year capital  plan has  been fully  approved by
   Council, a separate annual  approval is required for projects  which are
   to   commence  in that  particular year.   This  annual approval  of the
   Capital Budget is  normally scheduled  by Council to  coincide with  the
   approval of the Operating Budget at  the end of April or early May.   In
   some years, this timing impacts on the  Park Board's ability to complete
   projects  prior to the spring opening  of its facilities.  Also, certain
   work must be completed in  the dry summer season in order  to accomplish
   this, they must be started before the May Capital Budget approval.

   In this regard, staff have reviewed  the 1996 capital projects and found
   that projects listed in Appendix I should be scheduled to start in early
   spring  as they  should be  carried out  under good  weather conditions.
   Early  starting on  these projects  does not  disrupt the  continuity of
   service to the public and the Board does not suffer any loss of revenue,
   nor cause any hazards and inconvenience to the public.

   JUSTIFICATION

   Projects listed  in Appendix I are submitted for advance approval out of
   the 1996 Capital Budget so that they can be scheduled effectively.

                                     * * *

                                                         APPENDIX I


    Total 1996 Capital Budget                            $6,583,000



    Projects Requested for Early Approval
          1. Stanley Park Cliff Stabilization -
             The annual scaling of the rock
             cliffs on the seawall should be
             completed before spring to avoid
             risk to seawall users.                          50,000

          2. Playground Re-development - the
             renovation and upgrading of
             playgrounds should be completed
             prior to the heavy spring and summer
             usage.                                          60,000
          3. Asbestos Removal - this is a
             continuing program and early
             approval will avoid any disruption
             in the planned work.                           150,000

          4. Painting - this is a continuing
             program requiring early approval so
             that repairing of summer facilities
             is completed before the May 24
             openings.                                      200,000

          5. Roof Replacements - contracts for
             roof replacements should be awarded
             early in the year so that work can
             commence at the beginning of the dry
             season.                                        600,000
          6. General Facility Improvements -
             early approval is requested to allow
             for better planning and reduce
             impact on facility users.                      138,500

          Total 1996 Capital for Advance Approval        $1,198,500