THE TALK OF THE TOWN

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What Do We Have For You This Month?

Welcome to The Talk of The Town for August, 2021. Scroll through the following features (and click on images to enlarge) to find:

Our Lead Story

Newly installed water main pipe at Bute and Haro.

WATERWORKS WATCH
Haro Street Upgrades Dig
At West Enders

by Nate Lewis / James Oakes Photos
The Haro and Bute Infrastructure Upgrades that began at Chilco and Robson in spring 2019 are dragging into their third year. The water main runs through the West End, from near Lost Lagoon, zigzagging its way to Haro and onto Bute where the pipes diverge – one continuing to Thurlow to the south and the other branching to Pender in the north.   

The water mains being replaced are part of a waterworks system that brings potable water into Downtown Vancouver from the Capilano Watershed via underground pipes in Burrard Inlet. Some components of the existing water main are over 100 years old, in use since street cars trundled up and down Denman. The City of Vancouver says the new water main is expected to last into the next century, providing more capacity to serve the growing neighbourhood as well as improving the system’s seismic resilience. 

Unfinished construction at Haro and Cardero.
(Nate Lewis Photo)

Despite its necessity, this complex infrastructure project has caused headaches for local residents, harrying Haro Street residents for more than a year. 

Walking in the vicinity of Haro and Bute you might hear the high-pitched whine of a saw cutting through the pavement, the reverberating thud of a compactor, or a backhoe digging (and backfilling) a trench. 

When the construction reached Patricia Hargreaves’ house at the corner of Cardero and Haro in March 2020, she would make muffins weekly for the City of Vancouver workers. “The actual people doing the water main have been great,” she said, “they all took very good care of me… in the circumstances.” 

Construction began outside Hargreaves’ home at the start of the pandemic, which she recalls as being “held captive” inside: “We’re in the house… shaking like an earthquake all day long. You know, I finally had time off of work, but my daughter and I couldn't sleep in because [of] the diggers and the [construction noise] all day long. It was horrible.”

Hargreaves has not only been inconvenienced, but has had her safety threatened as a result of the construction zone. “I've been knocked down three times [by cyclists on the sidewalk], she said, adding that there was a sign telling cyclists to dismount at the top of the hill, “but nobody does [and] it’s not enforced.”

EXcavation work at Haro and Bute outside Haro Park Centre, causing nearby buildings to vibrate..

Hargreaves sees the matter as a lack of communication within City bureaucracy. “The hole would be filled in, then it would be dug up again… It’s taking far too long for them to complete it,” said Hargreaves. 

Work on Haro Street is expected to be completed before fall 2021 said City of Vancouver staff, almost a year behind the initial timeline for Phase 1 of the project. The delays have been caused by the complexity of the installation, poor weather, and knock-on effects of the pandemic, the City said.  

TWEJ reached out to retired City of Vancouver engineer Peter Judd. He said it’s normal for a street to be dug up and temporarily paved several times during standard watermain reconstruction. There are usually multiple City departments or branches working on the same project, work which often can’t all be done at the same time. 

Each crew might apply a temporary pavement patch – to limit the time that a road is blocked off – which is then removed by the next crew. 

“The reality is if you have to maintain services and access to all of the residents… it's not desirable to rip up the whole street, block it off, and leave it like that for months at a time while all the work gets done simultaneously,” Judd said. 

City staff confirmed that in this case, the Parks Board and at least seven branches of City Engineering Services, including Waterworks, Street Design, Transportation, Green Infrastructure, and Parking Management, are involved in the project. 

Phase II work is underway on Bute near Alberni.

Meanwhile, Phase II work along Bute is progressing south, up the hill from Pender to its connection point at Haro. The work between Pender and Georgia is finished, but another major crossing still needs to be made at Robson. The public plazas along Bute – at Robson and at Alberni – will be removed “to provide adequate space” for the underground construction, the City said. The plaza at Robson will be reinstated following the upgrades, which are expected to continue until Spring 2022. 

Despite the noise, and the delays, West Enders can take pride in the fact they endured no small inconvenience for the betterment of the community. Though Vancouver may at times feel like the city that is never finished, this work should last a lifetime.  

For more on the upgrades, see A Closer Look in this month’s issue. 

West End News & Notes

REMEMBER TO VOTE ON SEPTEMBER 20
Five Candidates In Vancouver Centre

Five candidates are running in the September 20 election for the Vancouver Centre seat. Incumbent Hedy Fry and challengers Métis lawyer Breen Ouellette for the NDP, helicopter salesman and former NPA executive administrator Harry Cockell for the Conservatives, businessman and building restoration expert Alaric Paivarinta for the Greens, and Taylor Singleton-Fookes, with experience in the oil and gas and software runs for the People's Party of Canada.

The West End Journal had planned more extensive pre-election coverage but due to time constraints and lack of quick response from most of the candidate’s offices, we will have to make do with these links to the candidates’ websites. Check them out for further information: Liberal candidate Hedy Fry; NDP candidate Breen Ouelette; Conservative candidate Harry Cockell; Green candidate Alaric Paivarinta and Taylor Singleton-Fookes for the People’s Party of Canada. No other candidates had declared at press time.

For complete information on voting visit the Vancouver Centre Elections Canada site here.

Robson Street London Drugs manager Sean Kim presents a $5,000 donation to Elyse Freeborn of A Loving Spoonful.

$$$ FOR A LOVING SPOONFUL

We’ve all had a chance to check out the big interior design changes at the London Drugs outlet on Robson from earlier this summer, and we’re even starting to familiarize ourselves with where everything we’re looking for is located. So are the staff!

Here’s a post-opening shout-out to the store and manager Sean Kim for their $5,000 contribution to A Loving Spoonful, a non-profit society that has for decades ensured that persons living with HIV and AIDS were well fed. Thank you!

MURALS FOR THE COMMUNITY CENTRE

The West End Community Centre Association has received funding to add four murals to the Denman Street facility, three on the exterior walls and one in the interior.

They have contracted with noted Vancouver artist John Ferrie to paint the murals and, to get things started, participate in a series of visioning sessions with four age groups to inform the content of the murals. The interior panel may be produced on a panel that could be re-mounted in the new centre facility, expected to be completed in the next ten to fifteen years.

Each mural will be created in consultation with four age groups: preschoolers two to four years old; elementary school children five to 12; high school youth from 13 to 18; and folks who identify as seniors.

The first visioning sessions with children took place in August, with more to come.
(Click on images to enlarge. Ken Villeneuve Photos)

NEW FACES AT ST. ANDREW’S-WESLEY

St. Andrew’s-Wesley United Church has announced two new additions to their team. Daniel Martin has joined the ministerial staff as their minister of youth and young adults, and Maggie Watts-Hammond will serve as part-time Minister of pastoral care, elders, and women for one year as the congregation explores what might be next for these and other ministries.

Originally from Sacramento, California, Martin came to Vancouver in 2019 to attend the Vancouver School of Theology. He has served as a pastor of children and youth at an inter-denominational church in San Gabriel, California. He will be working closely with Minister of Children and Families.

Watts-Hammond recently retired from Gilmore Park United Church in Richmond and is ready to bring her warmth, curiosity, and creativity to our community! 

Word On The Street

It’s busy out there on the Davie/Denman/Robson horseshoe, and here’s a quick roundup of three storefront news items you won’t want to miss …

Milestones

THEIR SPECIAL DAY
Fred and Ellen Renew Their Vows

(click photos to enlarge)
Ellen Silvergeiter and Fred Silvergieter Hoogstad (a double last name that goes back to the 17th century) were married July 1, 1971 at St. Helen's Anglican Church in Surrey and renewed their vows 50 years later at St. Paul’s Anglican in the West End.

Fred was born in Holland just before the war ended, and immigrated with his family to Canada in 1955. He grew up just outside of Victoria and met BC-born Ellen at UVic. He has a Bachelor of Science in Psychology.

In addition to Ellen, Fred fell in love with computers many years ago and self-taught himself programming and repairs. He has been a volunteer with the St. Paul’s Advocacy Office doing Income Tax for clients for about 12 years (semi-retired about a year ago ).

Ellen is the director of the St. Paul’s Advocacy Office, and you can read more about her work there in this month’s Community Spotlight.

A FOND FAREWELL
Carol Acton Dies At 77

The congregation of St. Andrew’s-Wesley mourns the passing of Carol Acton, a treasured member of the community.

Carol had been battling cancer quietly, but unexpectedly succumbed to the illness on her 77th birthday, Tuesday August 11th. Carol was gifted with humor, a keen mind, and a ton of energy. An avid reader, swimmer, walker, and convener of friends, you were guaranteed an engaging conversation with Carol.

In addition to a long career in public administration and nursing, Carol was an active member of St. Andrew’s-Wesley, serving on just about every committee and volunteer position.

The West End Journal will be pleased to publish your “Milestones” news — births, weddings, and obituaries. Send a brief write-up and photo to editor@thewestendjournal.ca.

West End Moments

Out and about in the West End, you never know who or what you’ll see. Here are a few special moments you may have missed … click on any image to read the story.