$120-million plan to turn Playland into 'world class theme park' heads back to council

A $120-million, 10-year plan to turn East Vancouver’s Playland into a “world class theme park” could take a big step forward next week if Vancouver councillors OK cash for detailed design work and a funding strategy.

The latest concept for the redesign was led by Forrec, a company that has worked on theme parks for Universal Studios, Legoland and Six Flags.

“Many local and regional residents are not in a position to travel to theme parks in other regions, such as Disneyland,” states the city in a report headed to council next week. 

While plans to expand the park from 15 to 22 acres was approved in the Hastings Master Plan in 2010, staff are asking councillors to approve $1.5 million for another round of work on the project.

For decades, Pacific National Exhibition fans from across B.C. have toured Playland’s midway and braved its rides — including the wooden roller coaster that draws enthusiasts from around the world. The amusement park brings in about 530,000 patrons and $20 million a year in its 130-odd day season. 

“For many these experiences are their only experience of an amusement park that they will ever have,” reads the city report, which states that a new design would boost attendance and double park revenue. 

The latest “creative concept” for Playland divides it into different zones. The mock up puts the entrance in “Main Street,” which would feature a contemporary west coast architectural style, patios, retail space and games. A narrow green strip called “The Park” would offer trees, flowers and fountains for guests in need of a break. A safe, controlled “Kids Playce” would give children a place to play.

A nearby zone called “The District” would borrow visual cues from city docks, steel surfaces and brickwork. It would be interactive and allow guests to move through it “as if it was their personal space.” There would be graffiti stations, interactive light shows, concerts and the ability to influence the choice of background music. 

Then there is the large “Adventure Land” with a tree fort village and rides that blast through its forested canopy. A river ride and ropes course in the zone would entertain while teaching guests about regional ecology. Meanwhile, guests in the neighbouring “Coastal Village” would learn about B.C. fisheries on water rides. 

Laura Ballance, a spokeswoman for the PNE, cautioned that “there’s a very good chance” the final design would be much different than presented in the city report. And while it would be more of theme park, “it’s not a what the public would generally think of as a Disneyland-style” attraction.

The estimated $120 million price tag for the work is up from $79 million that was projected in 2012. The redevelopment would be financed by the city and repaid through increased future revenue, according to the report. 

About half of that increase would come from a projected boost attendance. Another 10 per cent would come from longer stays at the park and spending on food, drinks and games. The remaining 40 per cent would come from increased admission fees that “mostly reflects forecast inflation,” according to the report, which notes about 60 per cent of customers are in families that earn than $70,000 a year.

Playland’s ability to repay could be hindered by increased construction costs or lower-than-expected attendance or spending, the report states.

NPA Coun. Melissa De Genova said Wednesday that she has strong concerns about the plan’s cost to the taxpayer and the funding formula and cost recovery model, and will seek answers next week.

“I’m concerned about the financial arrangements and I’m hoping staff can answer my questions.”

De Genova also said she’s concerned the plan could potentially take away from the greening of Hastings Park, noting that Vancouver is supposed to be the “greenest” city in the world. “It’s the Stanley Park of east Vancouver. It’s a beautiful space.”

Pat Miller, a Burnaby resident and a member of the Hastings Park Conservancy, also said she hoped it would not diminish the area’s green space.

“It’s this little green jewel on the east side of Vancouver, where green space is fairly limited. My concern is that to have the kind of venue you’re describing could have potentially adverse effects on that space.”

mrobinson@postmedia.com

bmorton@postmedia.com

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