Park board returns Spanish Banks court space to volleyball league
Posted February 29, 2024 9:05 pm.
Last Updated February 29, 2024 9:33 pm.
The Vancouver Park Board has changed its tune about removing a permit from volleyball players who use Spanish Banks on Mondays.
Volleyball BC, an adult recreation league that hosts games for thousands of players, had permits to play at Spanish Banks from April until the end of August, before the park board announced it would be using the space to launch its own league, called Van Sport.
The news upset the roughly 400 volleyball players who use that space on Mondays.
However, the board announced Thursday that the league’s Monday night permit would be returned, and that they will be working with the league in the future.
Park board commissioner Marie-Claire Howard introduced the motion to reverse the earlier decision.
“This was done without consultation and came as a surprise at the beginning of the season,” Howard said. “I’m not saying nothing should ever change, but it needs to be thought out.”
Howard points out the operational decision was made by park board staff, not the commissioners.
“I think in Vancouver we have a treasure in these leagues run by non-profits.” Howard said.
Brad Hoem is a member of Volleyball BC and has been playing beach volleyball at Spanish Banks for more than 25 years.
“A lot of people really appreciate the beach volleyball scene,” said Hoem. “They think about the top things they love about this city, and many people say it’s beach volleyball.”
Emma Gibbons, CEO of Volleyball BC, says leagues like this one provide an opportunity for people to come together.
“The stories that we hear from people in the league, it’s how they met their significant other, people are starting to bring their kids to play,” Gibbons said.
