Playland expansion plan at Vancouver's PNE includes themes

Vancouver city council learned more on Tuesdayabout plans to redevelopPlayland at the Pacific National Exhibition in East Vancouver.

The redevelopmentis projected to cost $120 million and take 10 years to complete.

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The plan is to expand the 15-acre amusement park to 22 acres and introduce sixzones with themes.

The proposed themesincludeMain Street, The District, The Park, Kids Playce, Coastal Village, and Adventure Land.

'Who picked those themes?'

On Tuesday morning, citycouncillor Kerry Jangasked PNE president and CEOMike McDaniel, who was presenting the plan to council, about the various themes.

"Who picked those themes? Who's looking at those themes?" Jang asked. "Are you going to open it up to the public to help pick some themes here?"

"I think what's missing here is some public input on those themes."

McDanielanswered that the themes were inspired by elements of the Pacific Northwest, but they haven't undergone public consultation and are open to change.

"Going forward, I think that's really the question we need to answer; what story do we want to tell, and how do we want to tell it?" said McDaniel.

Other councillorsexpressed concerns about transportation and parking in the area around Hastings Park as Playland expands.

Funding questions

City council heard about two possible ways to fund the extensive redevelopment.

The first is a city loan to the PNE which would cover the entire $120 million. That's projected to be repaid by 2040.

The second is a loan of $90 million from the city and the remaining $30 million coming from the city's Capital Plan. The $90 million would be repaid by 2034, according to the report delivered to council.

Mayor Gregor Robertson said he's definitely interested in seeing the city invest in Playland.

"Hastings Park has been a big priority for council to invest in. To see the park, and the PNEand Playland all upgraded and providing better service and support and economic success for Vancouver," he told reporters outside council chambers.

"We want to be sure Playland can contribute and be relevant in going forward in the years to come. It's a major investment, I think it's warranted. Alot of work has gone into the planning, and we'll be looking at these next steps soon.

In regardto the new themes, the mayor said his enthusiasm depends on what the final themes turn out to be.

"I look forward to Playland being even more exciting. Obviously there's a lot of history there, but we want to see it evolve and really attract lots more people," he said.