Could Ken Lum’s East Van Cross be moved?
Posted December 11, 2024 10:55 am.
Last Updated December 11, 2024 11:02 am.
The much-loved East Van Cross may be finding a new home soon.
East Vancouver artist Ken Lum’s Cross has come to symbolize the neighbourhood’s working-class roots, and on Wednesday, Vancouver city council is hearing a motion to move it.
ABC Vancouver Coun. Mike Klassen is putting forward the motion, explaining that there have always been visibility issues with the monument at Clark Drive and East 6th Avenue.
CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO 1130 NEWSRADIO VANCOUVER LIVE!“Ken Lum, when he originally created the piece, probably couldn’t have predicted how important this art has become,” Klassen told 1130 NewsRadio on Wednesday.
The ‘Monument for East Vancouver’ was commissioned in 2009 by the City of Vancouver as part of the Olympic and Paralympic Public Art Program.
Klassen adds the Cross may be entirely eclipsed when a new neighbouring development is complete.
Klassen says no matter where the Cross may be moved, it’s staying in the neighbourhood, and namesake.
“It’s not leaving East Vancouver; not one inch outside of the boundaries of East Vancouver,” he emphatically said.
The city councillor says he wants to create a destination, similar to other parks and public beaches, where people can go to enjoy the Cross.
“We’re talking about a destination that potentially will draw locals and visitors for decades to come,” Klassen explained.
Klassen wants to include amenities in the new location and use the profits to maintain the monument, which is now over a decade old.
Talks of moving the beloved monument began in 2019 when city council pondered approving the nearby 10-storey development.
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