Someone asked—

We just moved in to the neighbourhood last summer at Queens and 9th across from the new middle school. We have a baby at the daycare. Are there any plans to replace the playground that was at the elementary school or do any upgrades to the park? I know the playground was enjoyed by many in our neighbourhood.

That site is partially School Board land and partially City Land. Much of the park is City-owned, and there is an agreement between the School Board and the City to share the play/ park/ sports field space. The City actually stepped up and contributed a bit of money for programming of that space, and the School Board has reciprocated by providing maintenance. I have only seen preliminary plans for the eventual park space, and during the construction phase that is solidly in the School Board’s control (for very good reasons). As I understand it, the play areas will be improved on the school grounds, though I suspect the nature of any play structures on School lands will change in that we now have a Middle School instead of an Elementary School.

As for the City part of the land, Parks staff tell me they are working on a strategic plan process for Simcoe Park (as it is called) after the school work is complete and there is a better understanding of how the new space and configuration will be used. There has also been some discussion in the pedestrian and access community about assuring the low-grade diagonal walkway connecting 8th and Royal to 9th and Queens be preserved, so there are many pressures with making the new school fit that site. However, top priority right now is working with the School Board to get that school up and running so that their long-term Capital Plan (read: New High School!) can be realized.

Someone asked—

Is there still talk of a brewery opening up at the Brewery District, or is just a name now in reference to the old Labatt Brewery that was once there? It seems like a microbrewery would be perfect compliment for the development, but it seems that only residential and office blocks remain.

I think the commercial space component of the development is done – what you see is what you are going to get.

Yes, the name is about the history of the site – but I agree it was an ideal spot for a new microbrewery or brewpub. I can’t claim to know a lot about the industry (although I have spent a lot of time at Steel & Oak), but I understand that it is hard to fit a brewery into a mixed-use development like that because a lot of what a brewery does (using lots of water, storing raw materials, creating brewy smells, operating through the night, etc.) more suits light industrial settings. I also hasten to mention that a brewery takes up a lot of space, and new breweries are generally challenged in cash flow in the start-up stage because of all the equiupment they have to buy and install long before they can sell their first pint. The lease rates per square foot at a new development like the Brewery District might pose a bit of a challenge for anyone without deep pockets and a tried-and-true business plan. Hence Brown’s Social House .

However, the OCP is looking at ways to leverage the potential growth of RCH into a revived retail strip on both sides of Columbia from the Brewery District to Braid, and If I had the knowledge, money, or time to open a “Craft”-style Tap House within walking distance of the Sapperton Station, I think the neighbourhood is due…

Brad Cavanagh asks—

How many games will Team Curl Sagan win at the Donspiel this year? Will it be higher or lower than the number of pitchers Team Curl Sagan will consume at the Donspiel this year?

Considering I have never seen 3/4 of the team curl, I’m going to say 3. We will win 3 games.

Lower. They serve Steel & Oak at the RCCC. Much lower.

Ed Sadowski asks—

When will the Fourth St pedestrian overpass to Pier Park really open?

Originally, it was supposed to be open “late in 2014.” Then we heard it was postponed to January 2015, due to delays caused by “unseasonably cold weather.”

January came and went, and then we were told the opening was postponed until “mid-March.” This time there were no reasons given for the delay (leaving one to think that perhaps the unseasonbly [warm] weather caused the workers to play hooky).

Here we are, mid-March, with no hint of its imminent opening or of further delay.

It would be nice to have at least more transparency if not more accountability regarding meeting dates.

You want the good news or the bad news? I have it on very good authority that the overpass will be open to able-bodied types (that is, the staircase) by the end of March. We are not quite at the “or I’ll eat my hat” stage, but it is looking good. The elevator will not be opened until May.

There were indeed delays caused by weather unseasonable to pour concrete, then there were some deficiencies identified in the concrete finish that needed to be corrected, but it looks like the contractor has addressed those and the schedule is happy again. The main structure is almost good to go.

The elevator is still waiting for some replacement parts. The equipment arrived and some parts turned out to be the not compatible with the application for complicated reasons beyond my geologist pay grade. Who knew a cage and a winch were so complicated? Regardless, the problem has been identified, the replacement parts ordered, and I have been assured the elevator will run in May.

Vote “Yes” Dumby asks—

How do I know I’m registered to vote for the Transit Referendum? What is the most convenient way to vote for the Transit referendum? Will they mail me a ballot?

To register to vote, you can go to the Elections BC website and register on-line. You need a Driver’s License or a Social Insurance Number. If you are already registered, it will simply replace your old registration, so don’t worry about registering too many times (you can only vote once). You can also call them at 1-800-661-8683 using that app on your phone called “phone”. If you register in March, you should automatically get a ballot. If you don’t see a ballot in two weeks or so, you should probably contact them at the phone number and specifically request one. It isn’t only the most convenient way to vote, it’s the only way.

Jeff asks—

Hey Pat,
What’s the deal with the bike path between 14th and 5th on Stewardson Way? Most of the bike route under the skytrain is great, but that block can be pretty scary when passing by huge trucks that feel close enough to touch. I suspect it has something to do with land owned by the rail compnaies, but just thought I’d ask. As a cyclist, I’m sure you are well aware of that route, but I’d be happy to send pics.
Perhaps this is better as an “official question”, but I was just dying to use the “Ask Pat” button.
Thanks!

Yep, the technical term for that stretch of Greenway is “sub-optimal”, and you nailed the major issue: jurisdictions. Under the Skytrain, squeezed between the road and the rails, it is a stretch that has always kind of been problematic. There was some talk a couple of years ago about fixing it, but my understanding is that the approach suggested by the City (a temporary crushed-gravel type surface treatment aside the sidewalk) was not accepted by the railway. Simply put, the City doesn’t own the right-of-way it would need to fix the situation, so I wouldn’t expect a quick solution. But it is on our radar.