More fun at The Shipyards with food, sports, music and children’s events

Festivals, sports, food events, small musical performances and artisan markets could soon be a reality at The Shipyards.

The City of North Vancouver is inviting bids to create more programs at the Shipyards, including more children’s events.

CNV says it is looking for programs that suit all age groups and encourage a strong sense of inclusion and innovation.

In 2016, CNV partnered with Quay Property Management to develop the Shipyards as a hub of commercial and community activity.

The outdoor public skating rink that opened in December last year is the largest in the Lower Mainland and a central attraction for the area. The Shipyards revitalization also includes campus for a new university, several new restaurants, a boutique hotel and a cycling fitness studio.

There is over 85,000 square feet of commercial and community amenity space which CNV says it wants to use for more programs in the Shipyards.

Last April, CNV council voted to spend $1.2 million on five full-time jobs to operate the waterfront public realm, positions the city claims are needed because of the rapid growth in the area.

CNV says the money was needed as Central Waterfront area, which extends from Chesterfield Place to St. George’s Ave, south of Esplanade, has seen a “dramatic and significant redevelopment over the past decade”.

The $1.2 million will provide for five jobs, vehicle and equipment costs. The city has already hired a Manager of Shipyards and Waterfront, and would likely hire temporary full-time employees as well as auxiliary employees to support the ongoing programs.

The city estimated that this year will bring approximately $850,000 of revenue through parking, commercial lease revenues, common area expense fees and the Waterfront.