Empty buildings, pools and bus routes

Good morning,

While wine consumption is falling around the world, you’d be hard-pressed to believe that trend is happening in Vancouver, due to the proliferation of wine bars across the city.

You’ve got classics like Bar Gobo, semi-newish entrants like Bar Tartare and Is That French, and truly new ones like Grape Vibes at 917 Main St. The Lookout is getting in on the trend as well, as (spoiler alert) we’re planning some more BC-focused wine reviews in the coming months over at our Vancouver food and drink newsletter (subscribe here if you haven’t).

All this to say, I’m here for it. No offence to beer drinkers, but I’m finding myself drinking it less and less. Give me a good grape any day.

While today’s newsletter isn’t as strong as a big, bold California red wine, hopefully it’ll satisfy your need for news.

Let’s get to it. 

— Geoff Sharpe, Lookout managing editor

PS - If you find this newsletter valuable, please consider forwarding it to your friends. New to the Lookout? Sign-up for free. 

WEATHER

Monday: 26 🌡️ 18 | ☀️

Tuesday: 26 🌡️ 17 | 🌤️

Wednesday: 24 🌡️ 17 | 🌤️

ISSUES

Empty buildings, pools and bus routes

While summer is usually a time of relaxation, the news has been, dare we say, eventful. Nate will return with his regular deep dive stories, but today I’m highlighting a few recent stories that you may have missed, and what they mean. 

City tries to get a handle on empty buildings

What’s going on: Walk around any neighbourhood and you are bound to see some homes left vacant. And the city is now finally tackling the issue by quantifying just how bad the problem is, according to the Globe and Mail.

• Many homes are left vacant as owners put off fixing or redeveloping them due to the high cost.

Surprisingly, the city doesn’t seem to have a good handle on the issue. But they have created a new task force to catalogue the scale of the issue, especially after the city had to demolish the historic Dunsmuir Hotel after it was deemed too dangerous to live in. 

Why it matters: The issue of vacant properties extends to single-family homes and key thoroughfares, such as Broadway, as developers wait for properties to be redeveloped. Abandoned properties also contribute to urban decay. 

Pool politics swells 

What happened: We’ve noticed an interesting trend in civic issues lately, which we’re colloquially calling pool politics. No, it’s got nothing to do with voting, but everything to do with how people use public pools.

First, it was the debate around whether to end pool reservations. Then, our story last Friday was that a community group has filed a court case against the city and the park board for their decision to build 25-metre pool instead of replacing the existing 50-metre pool. And just last week, it was reported by the Vancouver Sun that parents were prevented from teaching their children swimming lessons, even though there’s a huge waitlist for classes. 

Getting worse: The problem of pool access is only going to get worse. A study from Swimming Canada noted that half of Canada’s publicly owned indoor pools are at least 25 years old, and less than half are in good condition. 

• Kits pool has had to deal with ongoing shutdowns, while New Brighton Pool is shut down until further notice. 

Why it matters: Pools are a key part of city living. The constant shutdowns and changes pose challenges to families, and in the case of the new Vancouver Aquatic Centre,  impact potential future athletes who will now have much less access to training—the failure of the city’s public infrastructure matters.  

Where are the bus lanes?

Transit advocates are crying foul after council’s promised priority bus lanes from 2024 have not been built, according to CBC.

Breaking it down: Council voted to work with Translink to create priority corridors, including on Broadway, Hastings Street, and Main and Kingsway. The city was supposed to build two each year, starting this year. These lanes would allow buses to move faster, helping to ease congestion and speed up bus travel times. 

Vancouver’s director of transportation says small improvements have been made to prepare for priority bus lanes, according to the Vancouver Sun, and says more news will be shared in the fall about upgrades on Kingsway and Main.

THE VANCOUVER NUMBER

89th minute

The time of the game-winning goal for the Vancouver Rise against the Ottawa Rapid in the Northern Super League on Sunday. Samantha Chang had the two goals, including the game-winner.

THE AGENDA

🚁 A Helijet passenger is suing the airline after the helicopter he was on was struck by lightning and fell rapidly towards the ocean. The aircraft landed safely in Victoria, but the passenger alleges he is now suffering from PTSD and other related traumas. Read more. [Richmond News]

🏗️ The CEO of Townline Homes is calling on the federal government to reverse its policy banning foreign home buyers and instead introduce tighter rules around the use of foreign-owned properties. Read more. [Daily Hive]

🏢 Planners and industrial businesses are warning that the plan by Mayor Ken Sim to turn some industrial land areas into housing could exacerbate the loss of land that’s key to jobs and growth. While only representing four per cent of land, industrial land hosts around 22 per cent of jobs in the city. Read more. [Globe and Mail]

👮 Vancouver police are warning about some of the most common scams they see in Vancouver, reminding residents: don’t give out your banking details out over the phone, don’t send money to a potential employer, don’t e-transfer money to secure an apartment you haven’t seen in real life, don’t give the police your credit card number, and don’t pay for a parking ticket you found out about via text message. Read more. [Daily Hive]

🚒 A partnership between the First Nations’ Emergency Services Society, Vancouver Fire Rescue Services, Musqueam First Nation and ACCESS brought more than a dozen Indigenous youth to a firefighter boot camp this weekend. The program is designed to increase First Nations representation in the fire services, teach life skills, and introduce Indigenous young people to potential careers. Read more. [Vancouver Sun]

🚓 A man found not guilty of driving-related offences after causing a traffic accident that took the life of a two-year-old girl will not be retried, after a B.C. court rejected the Crown’s appeal of the verdict. Read more. [CTV]

EVENT GUIDE

MAMMA MIA! – A Drag Musical | The Birdhouse, 44 West 4th Ave. | Aug. 29 | All-drag ABBA musical singalong with queer performers and big summer energy | Tickets $22–$28

Evo Summer Cinema – Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring | Second Beach, Stanley Park | Aug. 26 | Outdoor movie night with reserved VIP seating, goodies and prime views | Free

Twilight Tuesdays at Science World | Science World – 1455 Quebec St. | Every Tuesday until Aug. 26 | Discounted evening entry with extended hours and special exhibits | $14–$18

Jazz on the Porch: Magic of Cole Porter | Roedde House Museum – 1415 Barclay St. | Aug. 28 | Outdoor porch concert with Patty Verner & Miles Black, by donation | Donation

TAIWANfest | šxʷƛ̓ənəq Xwtl’e7énk Square, Granville Street & more | Aug. 30–Sept. 1 | Free downtown festival with live music, art markets & family fun | Free

Kathmandu World’s Biggest Hike | Cypress Mountain – 6000 Cypress Bowl Rd., West Vancouver | Aug. 30 | Guinness World Record attempt hike with live music & vendors | Free

Vancouver Rise FC | Swangard Stadium – 6100 Boundary Rd., Burnaby | Aug. 30 | Pro women’s soccer team’s inaugural season continues with home match | Tickets $19+

Smut Slam | Chill Pill Comedy – 2270 Manitoba St. | Aug. 31 | Adult-only open mic where storytellers share five-minute true sex stories | $21

Jokers Canada | Hollywood Theatre – 3123 West Broadway | Aug. 31 | Travelling comedy club featuring top comics from CBC and Just For Laughs | Tickets $37

Animal Day | Kids Market, Granville Island | Sunday (Aug. 31 assumed) | Family fun day to meet sheep, goats, rabbits, chickens and Princess Aurora | Free

South Granville Summer Social Hub | South Granville (Granville Bridge to W. 16th Ave.) | Various dates until end Aug. | Italian-inspired open-air social hub with free community events | Free

A Doll’s House | Stanley Stage 2750 Granville Street | September 4–October 5, 2025 | A play about addressing taboo subjects | Tickets $29 to $127

French Scientist in Residence at Green College | Coach House, Green College, UBC | Sept 25, 5 pm | From Biodiversity Preservation to Innovation lecture | Free

Submit your event and it could appear here and reach 20,00+ Vancouver locals.

ENVIRONMENT

The latest infestation threatening Vancouver’s trees

This month, the park board has moved to treat about 200 large and healthy ash trees in the city that are at risk from the newly discovered emerald ash borer.

NEW VANCOUVER JOBS

Discover your new dream job in Vancouver:

• Associate director, student life at BCIT

• Senior management consultant at Humani HR

• Grants and operations coordinator at Goodwork Environmental Jobs

• Corporate affairs manager at BC Hydro

• Senior director, bus transformation program at Coast Mountain Bus Company

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• Jump for joy! The ‘world’s largest bounce house’ is in Vancouver through the end of the month. [Black Press]

• A number of Vancouver restaurants are closing - or have announced their closure - this month. [Daily Hive]

• Stars from Battlestar Galactica will be at the first Metro-Con Expo planned for this October. [Vancouver is Awesome]

• A new book tells you where to see wildlife within a day’s drive of Vancouver. [Vancouver Sun]

• BC Culture Days is the perfect way to see free art shows. [Straight]

VANCOUVER NEWS QUIZ

PHOTO OF THE DAY

I did not know there was a beautiful garden underneath Burrard Bridge!