Councillor Adriane Carr has introduced the motion Family Bowling Centre on Vancouver’s West Side as an agenda item for the Oct 16th Council meeting. [Update: the Vision majority on Council referred the motion to Parks Board and consequently refused to hear from the 16 speakers who were signed up to speak.] This motion was created in response to the possible loss of the only bowling centre on Vancouver’s West Side (see our earlier posts on the Arbutus Ridge development application here). Those wishing to speak on the motion can register by contacting either of the meeting coordinators (call Nicole Ludwig at 604.873.7191 or email, or Charlene Imai at 604.873.7657 or email). Speakers will be heard at a subsequent committee meeting, likely on Wed October 17th starting at 9:30am (see details for Planning, Transportation and Environment meeting here). Hopefully staff will be able to provide further information about the time this item will come up at the Committee meeting in the next few days. The fate of the Varsity Ridge Centre might be decided in a separate meeting by the Development Permit Board set for Oct 22nd.
Full text of the motion further is below:
2. Family Bowling Centre on Vancouver’s West Side
MOVER: Councillor Adriane Carr
SECONDER: Councillor [TBA]
WHEREAS
1. Bowling, especially five-pin bowling, is a healthy activity that appeals to people of all ages and backgrounds, including seniors and children who are sometimes challenged to keep fit, and is an ideal component of public recreation and active living in a “Healthy City”;
2. Bowling is a fun social activity that contributes to healthy communities by creating friendships, promoting inclusion and enhancing connectedness, and is a good antidote to loneliness that, according to a recent study by the Vancouver Foundation, is experienced by a quarter of Vancouver residents;
3. The only bowling centre on Vancouver’s West Side, the Varsity Ridge Bowling Centre, has contributed to the health and well-being of local residents since its establishment in 1976, being currently and regularly used by 30 leagues, several teams from Canadian Mental Health Association and bowlers from the ages of 3 to 96 including families, teens, 400 seniors and approximately 12,000 Vancouver school children per year, and its demolition represents a significant loss of a valuable resource; and
4. The City of Langford built a bowling facility as part of its City Centre Park that, ever since it opened in 2011, has been packed with bowlers and generates a profit for the city;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council recognize the importance of bowling to the health and well-being of thousands of Vancouver residents and include access to bowling facilities in Vancouver’s Healthy City Strategy 2012-2020;
BE FURTHER RESOLVED THAT Council support the consideration of bowling in the range of recreational activities offered to Vancouver residents through our city’s recreational facilities;
AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT staff work with Park Board to consider options for the City of Vancouver to provide a Family Bowling Centre to serve Vancouver’s West Side and report back to Council in conjunction with Vancouver’s Healthy City Strategy 2012-2020.
My husband and I are extremely upset regarding the possible closing and demolition of the Varsity Ridge Bowling Alley for many reasons!
• It is a gathering place for people of all ages to come together on a regular basis and socialize while getting some exercise!
• It is a place for friendly competition amongst the young and the old.
• It is a place for young children to have fun with their parents/caregivers and be introduced to the sport.
• It is a place for school groups to assemble and learn a new activity.
• It is a safe place for teens to spend time and have fun.
• It is a place for families of all ages to share a common activity.
• It is a wonderful place for Birthday parties!
• It is a place where seniors can congregate and share an activity that is likely to be one of the few sports they can still participate in.
• For many seniors, this is a gathering place and only social outlet they may have.
• It is a place that raises funds for the “CKNW orphan’s Fund”, a charity that relies on the contributions of the bowlers at Varsity Ridge.
• It a place that epitomizes COMMUNITY and FAMILY spirit. It is a place where people greet each other with cheery hellos and hugs all around at holiday times! It is a place where people care about each other’s ups and downs. It is a place where we have a lot of fun! THERE IS MUCH LAUGHTER AND JOKING, WHICH IS A VERY HEALTHY THING TO DO … IT IS GOOD FOR THE SOUL!
MY HUSBAND AND I ARE VERY MUCH IN FAVOUR OF A REPLACEMENT BOWLING ALLEY ON THE WEST SIDE OF THE CITY!