Public Meeting: New Trout Lake Centre to be Discussed

A public meeting next week will be the perfect opportunity to offer your two cents regarding the redevelopment of the Trout Lake Community Centre.

The meeting is scheduled to discuss the second phase of the project with park board staff and project architects. Phase one of the project included the construction of a new ice rink, which will be used as a practice rink for figure skating during the 2010 Olympic Games.

The new community centre will replace the aging facility built in 1964.

Funding for the new centre was approved as part of the park board's 2009-2011 capital plan, but it wasn't included in the plan until the public loudly protested the centre's initial omission. The meeting takes place Sept. 15 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the community centre, 3350 Victoria Dr. More project details are available on the park board's website at vancouverparks.ca.

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Special Event: Vulnerable Workers’ Rights Free Public Forum

The International Agenda for Vulnerable Workers’ Rights free public forum is being held on:

Thursday, March 29 @ 7 pm
Maritime Labour Centre, 1880 Triumph Street

Guy Standing, former Director of the Socio-Economic Security Program with the International Labour Organization, has written extensively on flexible work in the global economy, the feminization of employment and how to enhance the economic security of casual and precarious workers.

Jim Sinclair, President of the BC Federation of Labour, will also be speaking.

This public event opens a 2-day conference, Jobs and Justice: Strategies and Solutions for Economic Security, taking place March 29-31. Registration for full conference is $175 ($35 for students/low-income).

Visit www.policyalternatives.ca/jobsconference for details.

Public Meeting: Supportive Housing Strategy

This is a message sent on behalf of Jill Davidson, Homeless Policy Coordinator, City of Vancouver.

"I'm writing to invite you to be part of the public process for the draft Supportive Housing Strategy. On January 30, City Council received the draft Strategy and referred it public discussion. All the public feedback will be presented to City Council in late May at which time the public will have an opportunity to speak directly to Council.

The draft Strategy identifies where and how an additional 450 supportive housing apartments (10 – 15 buildings) could be built over the next 10 years. Currently there are over 1,200 units of purpose built supportive housing in the City. City Council policy is to locate supportive housing throughout Vancouver.

We have organized a series of meetings in conjunction with Vancouver Coastal Health. The purpose of these meetings is to:

· Provide information about mental illness, addiction and supportive housing and;
· Discuss the recommendations in the strategy with an emphasis on how supportive housing can be integrated into neighbourhoods

There are a number of ways you can participate.

You can visit our webpage at www.vancouver.ca/housing/supportivehousingstrategy/

You can attend one of our smaller eight neighbourhood-based community discussions. Please call Peter Greenwell at 604-871-6434 to register so we can ensure adequate space is available to accommodate those who are interested.

March 7, 7-9 pm
Collingwood Neighbourhood House
5288 Joyce Street

March 14, 7-9 pm
South Vancouver Neighbourhood House
6470 Victoria Drive

March 20, 7-9 pm
St. James Community Square
3214 West 10th Avenue

for information and to provide feedback on the Strategy.March 23, 7-9 pm
Aboriginal Friendship Centre
1607 E. Hastings Street

April 4, 7-9 pm
Mount Pleasant Community Centre
3161 Ontario Street

April 11, 7-9 pm
Cedar Cottage Neighbourhood House
4065 Victoria Drive

April 12, 7-9 pm
South Vancouver Neighbourhood House
6470 Victoria Drive
(Punjabi interpretation provided)

April 17, 7-9 pm
Chinese Cultural Centre
50 East Pender Street
(Cantonese and Mandarin interpretation provided)

April 18, 7-9 pm
St. Mary’s Church
2490 West 37th Avenue

April 24, 7-9 pm
St. Andrew's-Wesley
1012 Nelson Street

You can attend our two general public meetings.

March 26, 7-9:30 pm (doors open at 6:30 pm with displays)
Kitsilano High School Auditorium
2550 West 10th Avenue

April 5, 7-9:30 pm (doors open at 6:30 pm with displays)
Croation Cultural Centre
3250 Commerical Drive


For further information please contact Peter Greenwell at peter.greenwell@vancouver.ca or call him at the number above."

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