Strategies for promoting sport in our City

January 2011 Inside this report: Vancouver Sport Strategy Athlete Development 3 Rowing High Performance 3 Rowing and Vancouver Sport For Life 3 Rowing is Vancouver’s oldest organized sport egy to support that Events 7 with the Vancouver Boating Club having put model. its oars in the water in 1886. Vancouver’s shoreline is Facilities 7 It has achieved success with over 120 Van- highly amenable to row- couver rowers having competed at an inter- ing in both flatwater and 100 Year Plan 7 national level from World Championships to coastal variations. Failing Olympic, and Commonwealth Games. 2008 to act now on our final Olympic Gold Medalists Ben Rutledge (now waterfront opportunities Current Situation 8 BC Provincial Coach) and Kyle Hamilton will result in lost futures learned to row on False Creek, as did 2010 for this sport and the Van- Vancouver Sport Sustainability 9 Canadian Champion (bow seat in the Men’s couver Sport Strategy. For Life Strategy Pair) Rob Weitermeyer. Vancouver, of large Cana- Successful Models 10 Rowing was the first sport to develop a Long dian cities, is uniquely suited to embrace row- Term Athlete Development Plan of all Na- ing because of its environment, sport program- Sport Capacity 11 tional Sport Organizations and British Colum- ming and its relationship to accessible non- bia is the first province to implement a strat- freezing water, as well as its rowing history. NE & SE False Creek 13 Summary Community & Recreation Centre. Burrard Civic Marina 13 Rowing is a sport that, for users, is comparably  Construction of support rooms and storage priced to others in the City and requires a rela- for rowing and paddling at the Burrard Civic Next Steps 15 tively small land based facility footprint than Marina. most for the number of individuals it supports.  Resumption of row boat rentals on Lost Special points of interest: Canadian Sport Centre Pacific has identified Lagoon and renewal of rowing machines in the City’s Community Centres.  Over 120 Vancouver based rowing as its number one performance sport, rowers have competed at and for any participant, it is the summer sport  Stopping the further incursion of fill, pollu- the Olympic, Paralympic, that generates the most aerobic conditioning tion (including sewage and diesel fumes) Commonwealth and Em- for its practitioners. and marinas into Vancouver’s waterways. pire Games However, rowing requires investment in infra-  Designation of the Paddling and Rowing  Vancouver is the largest structure and improved waterfront access to facility in North East False Creek as a com- Canadian city with suitable preserve and build its capacity. Specifically: munity amenity. water for rowing that does not freeze in winter.  Installation of rowing specific docks for Investment in rowing in Vancouver will lever- launching and boat recovery in Vanier age the $8 million investment made in Rich-  There are 25,000 potential Park. rowers in Vancouver and mond, $1 million in Fort Langley and $20 mil- an immediate target audi-  Completion of the previously agreed to lion at Burnaby Lake as well as the relationship ence of 1200 who are not Rowing and Paddling Centre by Creekside with the Canada Sports Centre Pacific located being served. at the Creekside Community Centre. Pa ge 2 Vancouver Sport Strategy Rowing

Left: Vancouver Rowing Club in Coal Harbour Below: St George’s Rowing Club and UBC in False Creek, prior to their relocation to Richmond. Bottom: The essentials of Rowing Canada Aviron’s Long Term Athlete Development Plan.

Rowing Vancouver Sport Strategy Pa ge 3 Long Term Athlete Development

The technical development of rowers re- to leverage this program the City is missing out quires a combination of science and under- on this program. standing of team and personal motivation. Vancouver can play an important role in starting Rowing BC and Rowing Canada Aviron have young rowers off in the right direction. Its po- developed and implemented a system for tential role can be to support youth on their trip identifying and developing new talent. Stable to their personal success, as well as provide a funding from various levels of provincial and place for rowers of all ages to come together to federal sources has resulted in success in socialize and in competition. terms of developing the implementation resources for this programming in BC. Rowing is not a participant in the official School Sport system and has no strategy to do so. Be- Rowing was the first National Additionally in Vancouver, there are oppor- cause the waterways do not generally conform Sports Organization in Can- tunities to grow rowing at the high school to school districts it is easier to base a catch- ada to develop a Long Term age levels. Consistent with the Training to ment area on geographic rather than political Athlete Development Plan Train and Learning to Compete groups, a location and high school age participants there- High School League project is already being fore row with those at a similar development supported by 2010 Legacies Now, but be- stage rather than a similar neighbourhood. cause no suitable facilities in Vancouver exist High Performance

Success in performance for sports repre- pics. sented at Olympic and Paralympic Games is High Performance rowing is possible in Van- 32 Canadian rowers easily determined. Rowing is one of Canada’s couver, but primarily through leveraging the (slightly more than 1% most prolific sport for medals. With 35 ath- infrastructure of other governments and or- of all registered letes (17 men and 18 women) competing in ganizations. Vancouver’s waterways are not competitive rowers) male, female, heavyweight and lightweight went to the 2008 perfectly suited to high performance but they events, Canada brought home 17 medals at Beijing Olympic Games can contribute athletes to the funnel that and earned 17 medals the Olympics and 5 at the Paralympics in Bei- supports it. in 4 events. jing in 2008. ’s High Performance pathway Given that there are only 2782 registered (see page 6) includes coaching, officiating, competitive developmental rowers (Rowing administrating and volunteering and Vancou- Canada Aviron 2010 statistics) this means that ver can play a large role in this as the home to 1 in 80 competitive rowers went to the Olym- many athletes.

Sport For Life Sport has to be engaging for the participants ured against others, if they so desire. This to continue to enjoy being a part of it. To that reduces the barrier to entry for those unsure end, there are a social, educational and aes- of their abilities. Importantly, it allows team thetic components to rowing: when per- mates to support each other at whatever formed well it is a marvellous thing. It is also a level they choose to participate at knowing personal one: the competition is often against that their own results are independent of Learn to row lessons at the yesterdays performance, not necessarily ver- their friends and colleagues. Vancouver Rowing Club in sus a competitor’s. That promotes people Coal Harbour. rowing to their potential, and not being meas- (Continued on page 5) Pa ge 4 Vancouver Sport Strategy Rowing

Top: Rowing Canada Aviron’s Long Term Development cycle for athletes with a disability. Above: Paralympic events have boosted participation internationally. Right: Head Of The River Regatta, London England Rowing Vancouver Sport Strategy Pa ge 5 Sport For Life—Continued

(Continued from page 3)

Rowing offers a low impact workout with a strong cardio component. It can be performed by participants at any age, with or without a disability. Adults learning the sport need to be aware of the stages of athlete development of young members and focus on the gaps in their own skills and abili- ties in order to progress and improve. The following general comments from Dr Gabe Mirkin, a respected US sports medicine physician give advice around the effectiveness of sports such as cycling, rowing and cross country skiing that rely on physical conditioning: “The best sports for fitness are the ones in which you exercise continuously, those that are least likely to injure you and the ones you enjoy the most. You become fit by exercising vigorously enough to increase the circula- tion of blood. It makes no difference to your heart how you increase your circulation. The best sports for fitness use your legs because the blood vessels in your legs are so much larger that you can circulate far more blood with your leg muscles. Furthermore, arm exercises tire you earlier because most people have weaker arms. Some sports require a great level of fitness just to start. For example, to jump rope, you must spin the rope more than 80 times a minute to keep it from tangling. Many people can't jump 80 times a minute. The safest sports are low-impact aero- bics, walking, swimming and pedaling a stationary bicycle. Running causes lots of injuries, because the force of your foot striking the ground can be three times your body weight, which can damage muscles and bones. You are most likely to continue a lifelong fitness program if you pick an activity that you enjoy. However, sports that don’t keep you moving may be fun, but they won’t make you fit. Most tennis players spend about 80 percent of their playing time waiting for the ball; and golfers are usually required to ride in carts, even if they would prefer to walk.”

Left: 1984 de- sign for boat- house at Gran- ville Island. Right: Pocock Rowing Centre oar storage and boathouse doors. Top: rowers aged 42 to 62 competing in Seattle. Pa ge 6 Vancouver Sport Strategy Rowing

Clockwise from top left: novice adult rowers from the Vancouver Rowing Club participate at the BC Cham- pionships; UBC Women practicing off of Granville Island; view of the last re- gatta in False Creek— March 2000; Sport Can- ada’s reasoning and proc- ess behind supporting Long Term Athlete Development plans; Pocock Rowing Cen- tre’s boat storage. Rowing Vancouver Sport Strategy Pa ge 7 Events

False Creek has the capacity Coal Harbour cannot support of downtown Vancouver. to host long distance (5 km) any sanctioned invitational Successful time-trial or “Head time trial events open to all competitions due to the Race” rowing events in Seat- rowers. It could also host BC cramped waterway resulting tle routinely draw more than Summer Games or recrea- from impingement by devel- 3,000 competitors. Boston tional league events East of opers and marinas. has one that attracts 8,000 the Cambie Street Bridge. International level events people from around the A fully loaded rowing English Bay could support any held at Burnaby Lake, (such globe. trailer delivering boats level of coastal rowing event as a FISA World Cup or Cham- Vanier Park can host both made in Canada from recreational events to pionship, World Masters or coastal and flatwater rowing World Championships FISA Masters regatta) would events, while the Jericho through support facilities at generate overnight stays and Sailing Centre can support FISA World Masters Jericho Beach or Vanier Park. functions in hotels in the core coastal ones. Regattas attract up to 3500 competitors from around the world and have generated up to Facilities $100,000 for the host club. Rowing has three specific needs: water free of ning to enable safe secure and efficient obstacles, access to the water via sport specific storage, access and launching. Organizations involved docks, boat storage facilities, and needs com- As an aerobic sport, participants also re- in rowing in Vancouver: mon to other sports: gym/workout areas, wash- quire showers and washroom facilities suit- rooms/showers/locker rooms, administration, able for large numbers of participants arriv- education and socialization space. ing off the water at once. This is particularly The expense of the equipment (1 person boats true for facilities that also cater to dragon- cost approximately $8,000 and 8 person boats boats each with crew of up to 24 people. approximately $30,000) generates communal Coach boats, necessary to ensure safety on behavior. Rowing boats vary from 30 feet for the water, also require storage as their en- small boats to 60 feet for the biggest, while oars gines are highly valued by thieves. are up to 13 feet long. This requires space plan- 100 Year Plan

Over 5,000 people represented by 8 or 9 clubs coastal rowing program in North America in operating from Jericho Sailing Centre, Vanier English Bay. Park and in North East and South East False Those involved in rowing are taught the Creek, in conjunction with Coal Harbour, and value of communities and participate in large recreational youth and adult programs civic process as leaders, creators and re- complement excellent representation of local spected members of society. athletes on our national rowing team. Rowers row to the best of their ability in a Coastal rowing World Championships are held in safe and supportive environment, whether Vancouver and respected Head Races (time-trial that is in a development pipeline to UBC events) are held in False Creek. A strong high and the National Team, a high school school rowing league operates in False Creek championship or on their own while exer- and an adult learn to row program continues to cising on a rowing machine somewhere in flourish in Coal Harbour along with the largest the city. Pa ge 8 Vancouver Sport Strategy Rowing Current and Recent Situation

The following groups currently row in Vancouver: Vancouver Life Guards, Van- Top: students from Vancouver College Rowing couver Rowing Club, False Creek Rowing Club, Club Locarno and the Vancouver program in False Creek. College Rowing Program (which includes girls from Little Flower Academy). Bottom: Equipment maintenance and prepara- All of the groups above are operating on their own merits without assis- tion in Vanier Park by Vancouver College stu- tance from government operating grants with the exception of the Van- dents. couver Parks Board Lifeguards. The Parks Board lifeguards use rowing boats made by Whitehall of Victoria. Club Locarno is developing coastal rowing programs in English Bay through the Jericho Sailing Centre which has both the capacity and long term viability to serve a large community of off shore rowing participants. Vancouver College operates their programming from a less than opti- mal fenced in area near Vanier Park at the entrance to False Creek where they are subject to periodic thefts even as they have developed young rowers like Anthony Jacob who recently competed at the World Championships. The Vancouver Rowing Club operates learn to row programs for adults and youth, as well as developmental programs for participants in those programs. In recent years a number of the junior rowers have received full scholarships to universities in the United States. The club is also an umbrella organization hosting other sports such as yachting, rugby and field hockey. The False Creek Rowing Club was set up in response to the opportuni- ties that have presented themselves in terms of the South East False Creek developments resulting from the Creekside complex. It is com- posed of 2 past presidents of Rowing BC, 2 Olympians (including Can- ada’s first gold medalist in the sport), 2 Order of Canada recipients, the first Executive Director of Rowing BC and a number of others with long ties to the local rowing community. The following groups used to row out of Vancouver and have moved to other municipalities: UBC, Thunderbird Rowing Program, St George’s School Rowing Program and Crofton House School rowing program. Due to a lack of facilities for rowing and paddling in False Creek (primarily equipment storage, showers, congregation and education space) at Burrard Civic Marina, when the opportunity arose for UBC to relocate to Richmond with that municipality’s support, most of these groups moved there, with Crofton relocating to Burnaby Lake instead. The following Vancouver schools (at a minimum) have students which row from the Vancouver Rowing Club: Magee Secondary School, Point Grey Secondary School, Lord Byng School, Van Tech Secondary School, York House School. Previously Magee and Point Grey had rowing programs that rowed in Coal Harbour in years gone by. Currently students from these schools are joined by others from West Vancouver, Richmond and Delta at the Vancouver Rowing Club. Arguably, the rowing machines at Community Centres, private and public gyms also represent participation in the sport. St George’s School near West 29th & Dunbar is host to the Western Canada Indoor Rowing Championships each spring with competi- tors coming from the National Team, the university system, club and school groups, and groups associated with fitness such as physiotherapy clinics and personal trainers clients. Rowing Vancouver Sport Strategy Pa ge 9 Sustainability

The Vancouver Rowing Club was established in 1886 and it remains strong as it has evolved to suit the needs of its community. From a high performance perspective, the sport has been in every Olympic Games and it remains successful and consistent for Canada in terms of medals: 38 in 16 Olympic Games. Club Development Metropolitan areas with the environmental capacity for rowing have a rough guide of 1 rowing club per 100,000 inhabitants. London England (population 7.5 million) has 94 clubs, metro Boston, Massachusetts (population 4.5 million) has 34 clubs. Metro Seattle (population 3.4 million) has 25. Victoria CRD (population 345,000) with 8 clubs is indicative of smaller towns that can have ratios closer to 1 per 3000 people (Shannon, Ireland population 17,000 with 6 clubs). Vancouver has 4 active clubs although Metro Vancouver has 16. On this basis, Vancouver can support 6 rowing clubs and Metro Vancouver’s 2.1 million people: a further 5. Pricing Models vary, but on average, Canadian rowing clubs tend to charge an amount equal to $65 to $100 per month. There are clubs that charge less but are completely reliant on volunteers which proves to be problematic with large clubs. This compares fa- vourably with soccer (approximately $40 to $90 per month) and little league baseball (approximately $50 to $75 per month), par- ticularly when accounting for rowing clubs having to maintain a fleet of boats and club houses. Cash Flow It is interesting to note that publically accessible rowing clubs do not receive operating grants from any municipality in BC. Many municipalities and other levels of government have invested in capital items, but not for the purposes of operating the programming at a club level. Programming Victoria and North Vancouver provide examples of successful clubs with strong high school leagues and youth row- ing programs. In the fall, high school students participate in Train to Train (see page 2, Long Term Athlete Development model dia- gram) programs. Those willing to progress further join youth programs, and adults progress up through a similar system. Financial Support is available through groups such as Kidsport and Direct Access Grants. At the present time rowing groups do not take advantage of these programs: they are not guaranteed and wealthier parents often tend to support the whole team. Private schools recognize the benefit of team dynamics and the lessons learned from rowing and pull students from many neighbour- hoods, and clubs that have participants from a number of different areas (possibly through a sports academy model) are more likely to maintain their viability in the face of changing economics and income distribution. Educational Support Title IX, a program to ensure equal gender access to sport in the United States has resulted in the equivalent of 1900 full women’s rowing scholarships at universities and colleges that receive public funding. This has led to a large number of Canadian youth attending US universities due to this country’s success with sport development but lack of financial support at domestic post secondary institutions. As a result, investing in rowing by youth and parents may reduce the cost of post secondary education and increase the opportunities that are otherwise financially unavailable. Local Management: another important obser- vation is that rowing clubs must be locally and independently run. The distinct lack of success that organizations trying to operate multiple centre s have experienced indicates that a strong local understanding and relationship to neighbouring and regulatory bodies is crucial for the long term viability of the programming. Pa ge 10 Vancouver Sport Strategy Rowing Successful Models to Follow

The Jericho Sailing Centre, home to coastal rowing, stand up paddleboard, sail-boarding, kayaking, outrigger canoe, and sailing (for people with and without disabilities) represents an outstanding example of groups of like minded participants coming together in sport. With sufficient membership, they are able to hire professional staff and to operate well run programs in a facility that is ulti- mately owned by the City of Vancouver but is operated independently from it. It contains the following essential elements: Top: Community Rowing Inc of Boston MA. Access to the water in a safe and protected environment. Middle and Bottom: Jericho Sailing Centre in Vancou- Appropriate and secure equipment storage for sports equipment, ver. safety needs and materials—especially those requiring protection from the sun’s rays (especially advanced plastics and carbon fibre). Communal use of socialization spaces, including public access to the licensed café allowing for congregation of like minded individu- als and also providing an additional revenue source for the centre. Sufficient and accessible space for education and administration purposes as well as repairs to difficult to move equipment. Accessible lockers, showers and changing rooms for the centre’s users with bathrooms available to all visitors. The following boathouses have embraced these same items over the years in their own way: UBC Boathouse in Richmond, BC; Community Rowing Boathouse in Boston, MA; Green Lake Small Craft Centre in Seattle, WA (operated by the Seattle Recreation Department); the Gorge Rowing and Paddling Centre in Victoria; and the Oklahoma City Boathouse, OK which has transformed that city’s waterfront into a place to be, as opposed to be a place to be away from. Lessons from all of these sites, and also from the Vancouver Rowing Club have shown that for sport, and rowing in particular the following needs must be accounted for: socialization (by adults and youth together), equip- ment storage, education, administration, off-water workout/gym space, repair space, safety, changing rooms and first aid locations and space (particularly washrooms) accessible to the community at large. Rowing Vancouver Sport Strategy Pa ge 11 Sport Capacity

Market 4.3% of the US population aged 16 or older participated in rowing, 9.2 million people. This is more than the number of participants in kayaking (3.7% or 7.9 million), sailboarding or windsurfing (0.8% or 1.7 million), or cross country skiing (3.8% or 8.1 million). This is according to the US Department of Agriculture (Forest Service) National Survey of Recreation and the Environment Summary Report #1, version 13 survey on “American’s Participation in Outdoor Recreation” conducted between July 1999 and July 2002, 4.3% of Vancouver’s population of 578,000 (2006 Census) would result in a rowing population of 24,854 people. This is not fea- sible given the resources available in terms of waterways available for flatwater rowing. Coastal rowing is another matter but that sport is still in early stages of development in Vancouver. Ltd.’s Strategic Plan 2009—2013 indicates that its membership is approximately 0.177% of the population. Row- ing Ireland’s Strategic Plan “To 2012 and beyond” indicates that club membership registrations with their national sport bodies represent the actual number of rowers by approximately 46%. Sport England, indicated that 0.15% of the adult population rowed in the previous week through a comprehensive survey conducted on “Active People Survey” from October 2007 to October 2009 (which includes results taken in the winter time when participants are not on the water). North Vancouver had 0.24% of its population rowing out of the overcrowded boathouse at Deep Cove and registered with our gov- erning body. In Victoria, 0.24% of the Capital Regional District residents are registered with Rowing Canada Aviron. Again, over- crowded facilities restrict further growth although that is being addressed to some degree at Elk Lake largely through a grant from the Government of Canada’s Recreational Infrastructure Grant program. 0.24% of Vancouver’s residents results in a hard target market of 1360 rowers. Between False Creek, Coal Harbour and the Jericho Sailing Centre, this number is easily feasible and sustainable. The Vancouver Rowing Club routinely turns away prospective mem- bers due to a lack of capacity, particularly since Thunderbird Rowing Centre stopped programming for over 640 participants when they relocated to Richmond. In July of 2007, 198 Vancouver residents were reported as members of Rowing Canada Aviron, the sport’s national governing body. This leaves a gap of approximately 1200 individuals that should be rowing, but are not. Geographic Potential In terms of rowing, Vancouver has both protected (flat) and unprotected water. The former is in False Creek, Coal Harbour and Lost Lagoon. The latter is anything in English Bay. Lost Lagoon could be home to rental row boats, similar to Whitehall Row Boats used by the Vancouver Parks Board’s Lifeguards. This would provide opportunity for rowing in a very comfortable setting and without much guidance or instruction. False Creek has the greatest immediate opportunity: in the centre of the city, surrounded by residential areas, accessible by public transit, this represents an excellent field of play. Its flat waters are at times augmented by flat water West of the Burrard Street Bridge allowing the sport to project outwards from False Creek. Coal Harbour is highly utilized by the rowing community already and operates a successful Learn To Row program for adults but are restricted in terms of the number of users due to the small and shrinking navigable channel. English Bay represents a new opportunity in terms of Coastal or Offshore Rowing. Current rowers from the Jericho Sailing Centre’s Club Locarno and potential users in False Creek can project into rough waters in boats designed for that purpose. The North Ameri- can Market is untapped and undefined at this point and further study is required to determine how to grow this aspect to the sport as it has the potential to provide the highest long term involvement, based on European experiences. The Southern coastline along the Fraser River is home to many commercial operations and is not appropriate for rowing. Although the UBC Boathouse is located on the middle arm of the Fraser which is home to seaplane operators but not many other users. The shore off UBC is inaccessible or unprotected from the Gulf of Georgia making it hard to launch or recover boats, particularly for new participants. Pa ge 12 Vancouver Sport Strategy Volume 1, IssueRowing 1 South East and North East False Creek

The City of Vancouver has contracted engineering firm Moffatt some programming, namely rowing for people with disabilities. and Nichol with respect to bid PS10066 for “Consulting Services With Vancouver’s proximity to the ocean, the field of play for the Design and Construction of Non-Motorized Facility and comes free of charge. Compared to the cost of construction of Ferry Terminal” in the amount of $174,713. ice rinks ($10 million each: Killarney/Trout Lake 2006-2008 Capi- This work would complete the original intent of the building of tal Plan) or pool replacements ($19.5 million: Percy Norman the Creekside Community and Recreation Boating Centre as it Pool in the same plan) this presents a huge benefit as the re- was to have designed. Due to budget compromises and design maining costs reflect only the investment in socialization, capi- changes after consultation, there is no dock or boat storage tal equipment, washroom, and storage spaces. Leveraging the facility. The project above needs to support a program that existing designated or post industrial space will not impact on supports the watersport community, in particular a high school other plans for the False Creek area. program with several hundred young and developing rowers. Repair and workout space, along with secure safety/coach boat storage as well as sufficient shower facilities to augment the ones onshore need to be included in the design. Access for people with disabilities is important, as is the ability to wash and maintain equipment to prevent deterioration due to the salt water. Vertical storage for 13’ oars promotes high ceilings and the ability to efficiently stack boats high upon each other. Suspected costs are approximately $4.5 million to complete this project, but the engineering firm has not communicated with the rowing or sport community as to their needs. South East False Creek represents the best of all options for the row- ing community, followed by North East False Creek. With respect to North East False Creek, the rowing and pad- dling centre that has been mandated by City Council in the Offi- cial Development Plan (False Creek North) is not listed as a community amenity and is therefore unable to access munici- pal funds, although the sole purpose of the facility is to provide service to all. The dragon boat community has indicated that they would like to facility share with the rowing community on

Top: Lake Washington Rowing Club (Seattle, WA) boathouse. Above: Rowing machines at Pocock Rowing Centre (Seattle, WA) Left: UBC Boathouse floating on the Fraser River in Richmond, BC

Rowing Vancouver Sport Strategy Pa ge 13 Burrard Civic Marina

Currently the western edge of the marina is Equipment storage: concrete shelters under home to dragonboats in storage, Outrigger Ca- the area used by the Bard on the Beach noes, kayaks, canoes and rowing boats. tents, or a replacement of the existing com- Burrard Civic Marina and the Vanier Park Boat pound with a proper structure would pro- Launch need several upgrades to bring them up vide an excellent and durable location to to a level where they could host events or more protect delicate rowing and paddling equip- regular participation opportunities. ment. It must also provide locations for washrooms/changing rooms/showers/ The immediate need is to upgrade the rowing lockers for watersport users. Additional launching facilities. Rowing docks can be used by space for education and socialization pur- all paddlers as they float low in the water, but poses is critical. rowing boat construction prevents use of regular “high floating” powerboat and sailboat docks. Finally, establishing the western terminus of the False Creek electric streetcar line under or near the Burrard Street Bridge would improve public access to this facility.

Clockwise, from top right: exam- ples of rowing specific docks, current Vanier Park rowing boat launching, Burrard Civic Marina dragonboat storage, Burrard Civic Marina Rowing boat stor- age, preferred layout of rowing boat launch floats. Pa ge 14 Vancouver Sport Strategy Volume 1, IssueRowing 1 Creating Opportunities For The Future

Clockwise, starting from top left: 2009 Coastal Rowing Championships, Plymouth England; Head of the Charles, Boston MA (2 photos); Girls 8+, Vancouver Rowing Club; Head of the River, Nicomekl Rowing Club, Sur- rey BC; Beijing 2008 OIympics, Men’s 8+; Community Rowing boathouse, Boston MA; Lake Washington, Seattle WA; 4 men in a boat on the Sunshine Coast, BC; Winning coxswain going for a swim, Beijing 2008 Olympics. Rowing Vancouver Sport Strategy Pa ge 15 Next Steps

Capital Items Administrative Process 2011 Designate the rowing and paddling centre indicated in the False Creek North Official Development Plan as a community Vanier Park amenity and therefore eligible for Community Amenity Credits Install rowing docks at Vanier Park suitable for the launching of to match the funds raised by the dragonboat community. rowing boats and for crew loading of outrigger canoes, kayaks Create a strategy to replace and increase the number of indoor and dragonboats. These docks will be used for day to day use rowing machines in use at community centres while certifying by existing users and for special events and competitions. The staff as instructors. installation of these docks are not to interfere with existing sail and power boat use. Approximate cost $100,000 Permit the operation of row boats for public rental on Lost Lagoon, restoring the service that existed in the 1950’s. Burrard Civic Marina Create changing, washroom, locker, meeting room., workshop spaces for existing BMX, paddling and rowing community. Ap- proximate cost: $500,000 2012—2014 Capital Plan Creekside Community & Recreation Centre Boating Facility Complete the non-motorized human powered boating centre in such a way that it can support the on water activities of a rowing community of 1000+ rowers and an unknown number of paddlers with equipment and storage, and gym/education/ washroom spaces. Approximate cost: $4,500,000 2015—2017 Capital Plan Vanier Park/Burrard Civic Marina Paddling and Rowing Centre Create structure for protected storage of paddling and rowing equipment and socialization, workshop, education and admini- stration space for existing paddling and rowing community in addition to the changes previously listed. Approximate cost: $4,500,000

Top: Canadian National Men’s 8+ Team training on Elk Lake in Victoria BC. Above: Community Rowing boathouse, Boston, MA Left: Rowing machines at Crash B Row- ing Machine Competition, Boston MA

Pa ge 16 Vancouver Sport Strategy Rowing

Strengthened Interaction Physical Literacy Active For Life Enhanced Excellence Quality Facilities Sport Hosting

This report has been created by Simon Litherland, Chair of the Facilities Committee for the Vancouver Sports Network with feed- back from members of the rowing clubs in Vancouver, Rowing BC, Rowing Canada Aviron, the rowing program at the University of British Columbia, Brentwood College School, and individuals from rowing programs in the United Kingdom, the United States and other parts of British Columbia and Canada. Vancouver Sport Network

The Vancouver Sport Network is an Ajay Patel, Chair advisory group funded by a grant Greg White, Vice Chair from the City of Vancouver and the Vancouver Parks Board in order to Simon Litherland, Facilities Committee Chair provide advice in regards to sports Michelle Collens, Sport Hosting Committee Chair matters to the City. Sharon Urton, Physical Literacy Committee Chair The members of the Executive and Cheryl Taunton, Enhanced Excellence Committee Chair other committees are representatives of the sports associations, clubs and Geoff Malmgren, Active for Life Committee Chair participants operating within the Mark Vuilliamy, Member at Large City’s boundaries and are supported Tom Walker, Member at Large by Darren Peterson, Vancouver Parks Board staff member. The Vancouver Sports Network Execu- www.vancouversportnetwork.ca tive Committee is: