McBarge, the famous floating McDonald’s restaurant from Expo86, is set to reopen. The vessel has been moored in Burrard Inlet for about the last twenty years but following an approval from Mission City Council, it’s getting a new lease on life.
The Sturgeons On the Fraser project, which has an estimated value of $10 million, would use the barge to create a floating restaurant, pub and café at the foot of Horne Street adjacent to the former Meeker Cedar Mill site.
Developer Howard Meakin said he was “shell-shocked” when the council approved the third reading of a foreshore rezoning application related to the project…
…Meakin said that more than half a million people live within a 30-minute drive of the site so he expects the restaurant/ barge will become popular with local residents as well as being a draw for people further away because of its history.
[Source: Vancouver Sun]
According to the Vancouver Sun article, the project will take about 18 months to complete, pending further approval for parking access, and will include a marina, offices for fishing and eco-tour operators, as well as a float-plane terminus.
Those who have spent time along the shores of Burrard Inlet, like at Cates Park or Barnet Marine Park, may have spotted this idle giant over the years. My last post McBarge was in 2009 and every so often someone will post a Twitpic from their window on the West Coast Express.
My own photo from Expo86
It’s Expo86 nostalgia factor is huge and the river-front areas of our region are picking up in terms of public access, community development, parks, and dining. I’d love to know — will you check out the McBarge as Sturgeons on the Fraser River in Mission?
This Valentine’s Day you can send a candygram to your sweetheart and support a great cause at the same time. A Loving Spoonful is offering up a candygram service for just $10 that includes a card, your message, two chocolates from Purdy’s, a “Yelpstic” lipbalm, and “Perfect Kiss” mints and a $15 gift card from Shamin Jewellers.
Order your candygrams online and send them anywhere in the country. February 6th is the deadline for deliveries in Eastern Canada and February 9th is the Western Canada deadline — so sign up now! Follow A Loving Spoonful on Facebook and Twitter (tag: #candygram) for more information.
A Loving Spoonful is a volunteer-driven, non-partisan society that provides free, nutritious meals to people living with HIV/AIDS in Greater Vancouver. Every week, all year round for over 19 years, our volunteers deliver approximately 1200 frozen meals and over 250 snack packs to men, women and children who are primarily homebound with AIDS.
While at the BC Sports Hall of Fame I came across the inductee information for Trev Deeley (1920-2000), a name associated with the award-winning Harley-Davidson dealership. When I happened to drive by the Deeley Motorcycle Exhibition on Boundary Road not even 24 hours later I took it as a sign — this was a story to cover.
Fred and Trev Deeley
Fred Deeley Sr. opened a 12-foot-wide store at 1075 Granville in 1914. In 1916, he acquired a Harley-Davidson franchise in Vancouver, becoming the brand’s second oldest dealership [source]. By 1925, the company expanded to two shops, bicycles and motorcycles, and Fred Jr. took over the motorcycle shop. They were now located on Broadway. At the age 15 Fred Jr.’s son, Fred Sr.’s grandson, Trevor started working for his father at the motorcycle shop [source].
From 1947 to 1958, [Trev] Deeley competed, won, and set a series of track records in numerous races and was a three time competitor in the 200 mile road race in Daytona Beach, Florida riding a Harley-Davidson.
In 1957, Deeley retired from racing and became more involved in the motorcycle industry and community. His commitment to promoting and distributing motorcycles had helped revolutionize the industry in Canada. In 1972 Deeley was given inclusive rights for the distribution of Harley-Davidson products, and was the first Canadian appointed to the Board of Director for Harley-Davidson.
He was a Canadian Motor Sports Hall of Fame Inductee in 1995, and was the only Canadian winner of the American Motorcyclists Association Dud Perkins Award. Deeley became an Inductee to the Worldwide American Motorcycle Heritage Association Hall of Fame in June, 1999. [source]
In 1998, “Team Deeley” set a new landspeed record (of 150mph) at the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah with a 1998 Buell S1 White Lightning. Trev Deeley, Peter Sellers, Mike Rowland and Terry Rea were part of driver Shane Kenneally’s crew.
Deeley Motorcycle Exhibition
The exhibition, adjacent to the dealership and a conference space, is open to the public 7 days a week. There you can browse a private collection of 250 antique, vintage, and modern models spanning over 114 years along with the “Made in America” exhibit.
Terry and I took turns on the photo-op bike
Continue reading this post ⟩⟩
It was February 2, 1966 that the Grouse Mountain SkyRide officially opened to skiers. It was dedicated later that year, on December 15th, by Premier W.A.C. Bennett.
Photo credit:
mountainhiker on Flickr – Submitted to the Miss604 Flickr Pool
Photo credit: Pat Z on Flickr – Submitted to the Miss604 Flickr Pool & John Bollwitt on Flickr
Photo credit: Pat Z on Flickr – Submitted to the Miss604 Flickr Pool
Photo credit: The Vancouver Guy on Flickr – Submitted to the Miss604 Flickr Pool
The Skyride operates everyday from 9:00am until 10:00pm with trips up the mountain every 15 minutes. Grouse will be open for 24 hours straight next weekend during the City and Slope festival.
The BC Sports Hall of Fame has finally re-opened after closing in April of 2010, post Olympics, while BC Place was being remodeled.
The Hall opened its doors in November and they’re steadily seeing a return in visitors, especially last weekend with the CONCACAF women’s Olympic qualifying soccer matches. I spent some time there this afternoon to check out their own renovations and the new Olympic Inspirations Gallery.
You can enter the BC Sports Hall of Fame through Gate A of BC Place and admission is $15 for adults, $12 for seniors and students/youth, and children 5 and under are free. Family passes are available for $40 (two adults and two youth/students).
You’ll find the Vancouver 2010 gallery immediately to your right where displays are sorted by Olympic venue. What I liked about the displays is that they went beyond uniforms and equipment. You can read unique stories from those involved with the ceremonies, check out the gifts donated to Vancouver from participating nations, and find out more about people like alpine skier Muhammad Abbas of Pakistan who participated in the Games.
I’ve visited dozens of museums throughout my life and it’s surreal to browse display cases that hold items that represent significant events I was able to witness myself. Continue reading this post ⟩⟩
