February 13, 2010 - 11:54 am |
Posted by Jonathan Ross
Rest In Peace, young man.
First, I want to convey how horrified I was to watch the tragic death of Georgian luger Nodar Kumaritashvili. The sound made when he hit that metal pillar is chilling, and there can be no doubt that the incident cast a shadow on a day otherwise filled with joy, magnificence and anticipation. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family, his teammates and his country.
I’ll let the pontifications on the safety of the track design and the risk profile of the sport be offered by experts that are far more informed about such things than I. I will offer this question though, which has burdened me since I saw the footage of the accident: how can metal posts like that be left uncovered with a sport that sends an athlete down an ice track at over 150 kilometres per hour?
But alas, the sombre mood from Kumaritashvili’s untimely passing was met in the evening with an outpouring of emotion on the other end of the spectrum for the most anticipated event that this city has ever seen.
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December 24, 2009 - 11:17 am |
Posted by Jonathan Ross
November 20, 2009 - 10:30 am |
Posted by Jonathan Ross
NPA Mayor rivals Suzanne Anton and Ian Robertson battle it out over media attention.
Before I delve into the issue of Northeast False Creek (NEFC), I want to indicate that the concept of density, which was at the heart of former Mayor Sam Sullivan’s EcoDensity initiative, is not what ruffled feathers about his proposals. Density is something that needs to be widely embraced to ensure a sustainable future, particularly in the way in which Vancouver is growing.
Rather, it was the former Mayor’s approach that created such a backlash against the idea. Whether it was registering his own personal trademark for the EcoDensity label, or the manner in which he dictated to neighbourhoods without the slightest attempt at compromise, to the way that the concept always revolved around a one-man show in its presentation, the means of marketing or communicating the idea, fell flat (this view is in fact echoed by urban planner, architect and former NPA candidate Michael Geller in this comment on Frances Bula’s site).
Now, in moving onto the current debate going on about NEFC, the comments offered by lone NPA Councillor Suzanne Anton and lone NPA Park Board Commissioner in this story are completely disingenuous
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October 7, 2009 - 2:25 pm |
Posted by Jonathan Ross
After sitting on the fence about a decision regarding BC Place for the past few years, it seems as though the old monolith will get its retractable roof after all…just not in time for the Olympics.
The dome in its current form will undoubtedly serve as one of the worst opening ceremony venues in the history of the Olympic movement.
A wake up call before in anticipation of hosting the globe? Not a chance.
Plans to ensure a stadium that Vancouver could be proud of should have began immediately after the roof collapsed in January, 2007, which regardless of shoddy management or a lack of training, was the perfect starting point to get things ready before the arrival of the world.
At least the Whitecaps will be able to enjoy the sky.
ADDENDUM: The BC Place limbo continues.
