Pubdate: Sun, 17 Apr 2016
Source: Province, The (CN BC)
Copyright: 2016 Postmedia Network Inc.
Contact:  http://www.theprovince.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/476
Author: Wendy McLellan
Page: 16

WORRIES ABOUT 4/20 SMOKE TO SHUT DOWN AQUATIC CENTRE

Concern that pot smoke will infiltrate the Vancouver Aquatic Centre 
has led the park board to close the facility during 4/20 next week.

The annual pot protest and marijuana market has been moved this year 
to Sunset Beach in the city's West End. The event has been held at 
the Vancouver Art Gallery for 20 years, but city officials decided 
earlier this year to relocate it.

Park board chairwoman Sarah Kirby-Yung said the aquatic centre's air 
intake fans have to operate while the facility is open and would be 
sucking in marijuana smoke from the adjacent park.

"We would be operating air intake fans to bring in fresh air and 
outside, 25- to 30,000 people will be lighting up and smoking 
marijuana," KirbyYung said.

She said about 1,000 people a day use the aquatic centre, many of 
them children as well as seniors with breathing difficulties. With 
tens of thousands of people rallying outside the facility, getting in 
and out would also be a challenge.

Kirby-Yung said 4/20 is not approved, sanctioned or licensed by the 
city or the park board.

She said extra lifeguards will be on duty for the day and park board 
staff will work with police and first responders to monitor activity.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom