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Immediate Release: Feb. 18, 2003

Kits Beach bistro development step towards privatizing Vancouver parks

“The proposal for a 16,000 sq. ft., two-level bistro complex on Kitsilano Beach is a fundamental departure from Park Board policy, and a move towards privatization of park space,” said SPEC park activist Stuart MacKinnon. “The Park Board’s mission is to ‘provide, preserve and advocate for parks, open spaces and leisure services.’ I fail to see how a private 16,000 sq. ft. bistro business preserves open space and park quality at Kits.”

In one of its last decisions before being ousted in November’s civic election, the NPA-dominated Park Board okayed the $2 million late-night bistro to replace a seasonal beach front concession. At the time, the Kitsilano proposal was seen as the first of a number of similar developments on West Side parks and beaches.

“Is this the best use of public park space?” asks MacKinnon. “Why are we in effect ‘privatizing’ public land and letting private business set up in a park? If this goes through, how long will it be before we see a Macdonald’s on every beach.”

SPEC and local Kits Point residents say the development would result in increased traffic congestion, noise pollution and would compromise the nature of the surrounding park. More than a dozen restaurants and pubs are already located near Kits Beach.

In 2002, a Park Board proposal to build volleyball courts in Jericho Beach was shelved when local residents and community groups raised similar concerns about noise, pollution and privatizing park space for a single interest group.

A public meeting on the Kits Beach development will be held at 7 p.m. on Tues., Feb. 18, 2003 at the Maritime Museum, 1905 Ogden Ave., Vancouver.

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Information: Stuart MacKinnon 604 736-7732, 604 876-5871

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