Park Board concessions could be overhauled after review
Sarah Kirby-Yung wants concession stands to better reflect diversity of the city
Park commissioner Sarah Kirby-Yung is putting a motion before the board next Monday to explore moving away from traditional concession stand offerings.
And while it may disappoint the pigeons who feed on fallen french fries and stale burger buns, she says it's high time Vancouver concession stands mirror the diverse food options Vancouver has to offer.
"I think there's an appetite, if I can use that word, for some different choices and options," Kirby-Yung told On The Coast host Stephen Quinn.
But Kirby-Yung also said that she doesn't harbour a secret anti-burger and fries or anti-fish and chip agenda.
"I don't have anything against them. In fact, fish and chips is our number-one selling item," she said. "But why can't those fish and chips be some of the best you can have in the city? Why can't they be local and sustainable?"
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The park board runs 14 concession stands, 13 of which are operated by independent vendors.
Kirby-Yung's motion calls for that model to be looked at, noting that the operators are responsible for managing daily operations and staffing, but the park board is responsible for purchasing, maintenance, and administration.
"Can those be modular facilities that provide additional opportunities for operators? When the peak summer season is gone, can they actually be unlocked or unplugged if you will and relocated somewhere else?" she said, noting the idea is inspired by the growing popularity of food carts.
The motion calls on staff to report back to the park board, by the end of February 2016, with ideas about different models
To hear the full interview, click the audio labelled: Park Board commissioner calls for review of concessions