Author Archives: Noah Schmidt

The Story of the Disney World Ride in Vancouver

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(Chris107/Pixabay)

Have you ever been to Epcot Centre at Walt Disney World? Disney California Adventure at Disneyland? Well, if you’ve been to either, you’re probably familiar with Soarin’ Around the World. Opened in 2001 as Soarin’ Over California, it’s a revolutionary piece of theme park technology that takes riders on an airborne journey above famous landmarks, complete with authentic scents and sprays of mist, all contained within a massive theatre. Until 2013, the only place to experience Soarin’ was the Disney Parks, but that all changed when a new tenant moved into Canada Place. 

Stephen Geddes and Andrew Stang, two local businessmen, wanted to bring the experience of the Disney parks to Vancouver, which is easier said than done. Disney’s attractions are notably difficult to replicate, as their elaborate engineering and IP-based theming often get in the way of any imitation. But the two had their eyes on an attraction that was A) not bound by the restraints of Intellectual property, and B) based on a pre-existing technology. Soarin’ was a perfect way to bring a familiar Disney icon to Vancouver, and with changes to the subject matter, it would also serve as a way to highlight the beauty of Canada. But there’s one problem, Soarin’ is big. Very big.  

With 6 rows of suspended seating stacked on top of each other, Soarin’s screen is a massive 80 feet tall, 4 times the size of your average theatre screen. Luckily, there was one screen in Vancouver that had been without a permanent show since 2009, and more importantly, one that could host a ride of such scale. During the preparations for Expo 86, the dilapidated Pier B-C in Coal Harbor was dismantled to be replaced by a state-of-the-art cruise ship terminal, Canada Place. Within the north end of the structure, an Imax theatre was built to showcase the Transitions film made for Expo. After years of operation, the film was removed in 2009, leaving the theatre without a permanent tenant. That’s when Stephen and Andrew stepped in, partnering with Aquilini Developments to create Soaring Attractions Inc.

Flyover, as it would come to be known, would open on June 29th, 2013, revitalizing the city’s tourism landscape with a fresh new attraction. Unlike it’s Disneyland counterpart, Flyover’s standard experience takes riders on a stunning journey across Canada, highlighting our natural beauty on the big screen. Depending on the season, overlays for Halloween and Christmas take over, and in some cases, special films like “Flyover America” have been shown, usually because the company shoots new films for each new Flyover locations across the globe. Oh, yeah, did I mention that Flyover now has locations in Minnesota, Chicago, Las Vegas, and Iceland? 

It’s safe to say that the Flyover experiment was a great success, bringing a little bit of that Disney magic to Vancouver without the need for an entire theme park. As of today, the original Flyover is still an icon of Canada Place, even 12 years after opening it’s doors, and with a second Canadian location in Toronto now under construction, the future looks bright for our homegrown Disney ride. 

Flyover’s website: Let Wonder Take Over | Flyover in Vancouver

Written by Noah Schmidt

Contact: nschmidt20@my.bcit.ca

 

The Tragedy of Vancouver’s Original Black Neighbourhood: Hogan’s Alley

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(Photo from City of Vancouver Archives)

Vancouver is notable among other major cities for several reasons, but one that often comes to mind is its lack of a highway. It probably doesn’t come as much of a surprise that the idea has been floated around before, and in fact, it very nearly happened in the late 60’s, but instead of being simply another abandoned infrastructure project, the legacy of the cancelled Vancouver highway marks one of the city’s darkest chapters. 

In the early 1920’s, segregation in Vancouver forced the city’s large populations of First Nation peoples and Asian immigrants under tight and restrictive laws, with smaller minority groups being dealt with in accordance to their population size. One of these groups were African-Canadians, who congregated in a small area on the north shore of False Creek that would become known as Hogan’s Alley. 

Home to a vibrant nightlife and the city’s sole black church, the Alley was a haven for the black population that had migrated north from San Francisco to Vancouver Island and west from Alberta in the 1850’s. The area was close to the railway, a place where many African-Canadians and other minorities found work at the time, and with it’s affordable rent, it quickly became the largest Black population in the City by the early 1900’s. 

As mentioned earlier, the nightlife in the alley was among the best in Vancouver, with some of the greatest artists of the early 20th century playing the stage at Vie’s Chicken & Steak House, such as Nat King Cole, Louis Armstrong, and Sammy Davis Jr. But the most famous resident of Hogan’s Alley to this day was a vaudeville performer by the name of Nora. She was an outspoken member of Hogan’s Alley, having been there since the early 1910’s. She co-founded the neighborhood’s church and took up work at Vie’s as a cook. She would often be visited by her grandson, James “Jimi” Hendrix. Yes, that Jimi Hendrix.  

In the late 60’s, “Project 200”, which included the Georgia and Dunsmuir viaducts was proposed as a way to connect the Strathcona neighborhood with the downtown core via a new highway system. But the project would come at a terrible cost: Hogan’s Alley sat at the north end of the planned route. The city had viewed the alley as a slum for decades, so the project went forward without consideration for the community it would erase. By the early 1970’s, Hogan’s Alley was nothing but a memory, replaced by a concrete bridge intended for a highway that would never be built. 

BC’s history with minority groups in the late 19th and early 20th centuries stands as the most shameful violation of basic human rights in our history. From the Residential Schools system, Japanese internment, and the destruction of Vancouver’s only black neighborhood, the trauma inflicted on innocent people by greed, ignorance, and bigotry can never be fully undone. Today, groups like the Hogan’s Alley Society non-profit are helping rebuild the community that was shattered nearly half a century ago, bringing attention to a forgotten piece of our history. This has led to renewed interest in the story of Hogan’s Alley, a story that has captivated the youth of the city, ensuring the vibrant town on the creek lives on.

Visit the Hogan Alley Society’s page here: Hogan’s Alley Society

More information: Hogan’s Alley | The Canadian Encyclopedia

Written by Noah Schmidt

Contact: nschmidt20@my.bcit.ca

 

I’m Not a Fan of Metrotown

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(Image from Metrotown)

Disclaimer: “Metropolis at Metrotown” will be shortened to simply “Metrotown” during this article.

Ah, Metrotown. Metro Vancouver’s supposed “greatest shopping destination”, home to nearly 500 retailers spread across 3 luxurious floors, complete with a massive food court, SkyTrain station, and of course, Build-A-Bear Workshop. Most people I talk to love Metrotown, and I guess I can understand why. It’s massive, everything you’d ever want out of a shopping mall. As for me though, I am a certified Metrotown hater. Don’t get me wrong, I love Build-A-Bear as much as the next person, but it might be my least favorite mall in Metro Vancouver. But before you get your pitchforks out, let me explain myself. 

I live in Langley. A bit far removed from the action, but Its quiet atmosphere is what I love most about it. I grew up going to 2 malls for my shopping: Langley’s own Willowbrook Mall, and nearby Guildford Town Centre in Surrey. When I was a kid, these malls kind of sucked. Willowbrook was pretty one note, with Zeller’s and Toys ‘R’ Us being the only highlights in an otherwise barren local mall. Guildford had a Walmart, an arguably pretty neat covered pedestrian walkway, and a couple of essential stores, but like Willowbrook, it was bland. So why am I talking about these two seemingly mundane shopping centres? Well, In 2011, Guildford mall  began a revitalization process, followed a few years later by Willowbrook. What were once 2 one-note locations are now among the cleanest, most modern malls in Metro Vancouver, with plenty of unique shopping and dining options. There’s a lot to appreciate about their sleek new appearances, especially in comparison to Metrotown.  

Metrotown reminds me a lot of pre-2010’s Guildford and Willowbrook. The inside, although not completely original, feels dreary and old in comparison, as it’s evidently not maintained to the same standards. I visited the Toys ‘R’ Us location in the mall for it’s closing day last year and was surprised to see that the original 1970’s era branding was still featured throughout the store, clearly never updated during their tenure. The food court is a free-for-all of shoppers dashing around trying to find a table, and with the dated decor from 2004 still present, the whole place just feels stuck in a time warp. Even my beloved Build-A-Bear looked extremely old-fashioned compared to other toy shops, but they had the sense to upgrade to a new location elsewhere in the mall earlier this year. Build-A-Bear just can’t lose.

But perhaps the worst part of the entire facility is the transit loop. Every time I try to enter the mall or hop on the train, I’m confronted by a lunatic wearing a cardboard sign over his body shouting something in tongues. Besides the people, the bus loop itself is a disgusting, dimly lit space that sends a chill down my spine.  

If I’m being completely fair, Willowbrook and Guildford aren’t devoid of problems. Guildford isn’t in a particularly nice area, and Willowbrook is comparably tiny to just about every other mall in the region. But at the very least I can still walk around either of those malls without being flattened by a wave of people. If i had to narrow down the single thing that makes me avoid Metrotown like the plague, it’s the crowds. I hinted at just how overcrowded the food court can get earlier, but unfortunately it’s not isolated to the dining area. Last time I went to Metrotown was a Wednesday, should be relatively quiet. WRONG. I was separated from my friend immediately, being pushed around against my will by a sea of unphased shoppers. It felt like I was drowning, but luckily I managed to crawl into the safety of the Build-A-Bear Workshop, narrowly avoiding becoming a human pancake. (Ok, that last part didn’t really happen, I just really like bringing up Build-A-Bear.)

If you like Metrotown, that’s great, I’m glad you can find enjoyment in it. Maybe I’m too observant of little things, or paranoid of crowds, but whatever the case may be, I’m more than comfortable sticking with Willowbrook and Guildford for the time being. Metrotown is undergoing massive changes as we speak, with more towers, new stores, and upgrades to Skytrain accessibility, so maybe one day I’ll give it another shot. Who knows, maybe you’ll see a “Metrotown is Underrated” article from me in the future. 

 Nah, I’m just kidding, that’ll never happen.

Written by Noah Schmidt

Contact: nschmidt20@my.bcit.ca

Me & McBarge

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(Above: A pimple-ridden teenage me next to the McBarge)

Those who know me best know that I’ve got some… Abnormal interests. For instance, I’m a big Expo 86 fan, despite being born 17 years after the fair ended. Where did this fascination come from? Well, right across the Fraser from my hometown of Langley lies a legendary piece of Expo history: the McBarge. 

In 2017, Bright Sun Films, one of my favorite Youtubers at the time, uploaded a strange video to his channel, specifically in his ongoing “Abandoned” series. It was about this odd white barge, that was apparently a floating McDonald’s restaurant at one point. I was immediately intrigued by the concept, it was so captivatingly abnormal. Things got really interesting when i learned this McBarge was literally 20 minutes from my doorstep. Across from McMillan Island, in the waters near the old Albion Ferry terminal in Maple Ridge, the barge had sat moored for years after being moved there from it’s last resting spot in the Burrard Inlet.  

Years went by. I didn’t have a driver’s license, so I never got the opportunity to visit the barge in-person. That was until 2022, when I had the idea to feature McBarge in an episode of the variety program I hosted at my high school. I remember taking my dad with me to be my camera man, and with next to no idea of how we’d actually get to the barge itself, we started the journey. When we reached our destination, the area around the waterfront was expectedly private property. So what did we do? Well, we  trespassed of course! (Disclaimer: Evolution does not condone trespassing, even if it’s to see the McBarge) Once we reached the river’s edge, the barge came into view. It was old, dirty, and covered in wooden boards. In other words, it was everything I hoped and dreamed it would be. 

It was one of the highlights of my high school experience, but unfortunately, my unique history with McBarge would be quite different during university. It was my second semester at BCIT, the day was March 19th, 2025. We were in the midst of our media lab, and I was tasked with creating a short podcast episode on a topic of local interest, so of course the McBarge was the subject I chose. I went all out, music, ambience from footage of the crowds at Expo, the whole 9 yards. I concluded the episode by stating my belief that the McBarge might be doomed to sink to the bottom of the Fraser, as it’s seemingly worsening condition pointed too. As it turns out, I was right on the money. 

One week to the day after I released the episode, I got the news. McBarge had sunk. Not completely, but the damage was likely beyond repair. The barge was in rough shape, but saying it would sink was intended to be overly dramatic on my part. Some claim that I sunk the barge due to my unusually accurate prediction, but I’m not capable of such a crime, especially when it’s target was my beloved McBarge. 

I haven’t been to the grave site yet, I can’t bear to see it. Hyperbole aside, I wish I could’ve visited more often. Such a unique piece of history deserves better than to rot into the river, and although the McBarge is now but a memory, it can rest easy knowing it had people that cared about it, like me.

Oh, and if any particularly wealthy readers of this article would like to help me finance the restoration of the barge, please contact me with the email listed below.  

Rest in Peace McBarge (1986-2025)

Bright Sun Film’s original video: https://youtu.be/W9mc4PsXU5E?si=8JXHBWE-lutw5yJk

Written by Noah Schmidt

Contact: nschmidt20@my.bcit.ca

 

 

The Fast Food Invasion: Why is American Take-Out So Popular in Canada?

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(Fotorech/Pixabay)

Have you noticed some new faces in the fast food market recently? Something called Jollibee’s? A firefighter-themed sandwich shop? You’re not alone. The Canadian fast food market has been infiltrated, and this is just the beginning.

Canada has a fascinating history with fast food. One of our most enduring cultural institutions is a coffee shop turned quick-service restaurant, Tim Hortons. But if we’re being honest, most of the grease-soaked slop we enjoy comes from our neighbors to the south. McDonald’s has been in Canada for nearly 60 years. Burger King has its international expansion roots in a 1969 Canadian location, and A&W Canada has evolved into an unrecognizable alternative to its American counterpart, which most consider to be the superior of the two. However, after the major fast food institutions established themselves in Canada, there was relative quiet for a time. Now, seemingly out of nowhere, a second wave of the invasion had begun.

Jersey Mike’s, Shake Shack, Firehouse Subs, Jimmy John’s, and Chick-fil-A are just a few of the new chains popping up across the nation. Heck, I’d wouldn’t be surprised if In & Out decided to open up shop here. So, why have the next generation of fast food giants set their sights on Canada? Well, apparently, we’ve got just the market they’re looking for.

Think about it, we’re in the midst of a population boom, which of course means an available workforce, and an expanding customer base. The cost-of-living crisis is in full swing, so of course, the cheaper alternatives will be popular. Lastly, where’s the competition? Besides the tried-and-true American classics that’ve been around for ages, Canada doesn’t have a massive domestic fast food market. Besides Tim’s, what exactly do we have? As far as I know, people aren’t clamoring for Harvey’s anymore, they want the latest and greatest innovations from land of excess.

Should we let these foreign intruders take over our taste buds? I don’t think so. There’s already enough fast food to go around, expanding the market can only mean one thing: An even unhealthier country. The scars of the fast food epidemic are in plain view in America, with the CDC claiming that the prevalence of obesity in adults is a staggering 40.3%. In Canada, things are better, but not by much. In 2021, 29.5% of adults were classified as obese. If we open the floodgates once more to foreign fast food, we might be doomed to the same fate as our southern neighbors. So what can we do? If fast food is the most convenient and cheapest option for you, there are healthier alternatives. They don’t have the same numbers as the giants, but if you look, you’ll find them. Freshii, a Canadian chain, is well known for serving health-focused options and has expanded rapidly in its 20-year existence, with locations in countries across the globe. But Freshii’s menu isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, so where should you go? Somewhere local might be a good idea. First-rate restaurants are abundant everywhere, so why not choose one of them? The food is often of higher quality, and supporting them helps our economy grow, independent of American conglomerates. What’s not to love?

The next time you see a “Coming Soon” ad for a brand-new American chain, take a moment to consider the choice you’re making. Is there a better alternative? The answer is almost always yes.

Written by Noah Schmidt

Contact: nschmidt20@my.bcit.ca

The Vancouver Art Gallery Needs Our Help

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Vancouver Art Gallery

(Alan Levine/Flickr)

The past few years have been rough for the Vancouver Art Gallery. If you cast your mind back to December of last year, it was announced that the long-awaited replacement gallery was scrapped, as the project went hundreds of millions over budget. The building itself was also the subject of controversy, as its appearance resembled a crude Minecraft house that your little brother would build. Then, in May of this year, the CEO of the gallery, Anthony Kiendl, left his position, and if that wasn’t enough, financial troubles led to the firing of 30 union workers in June.
So is this article in response to good news? Surprisingly, yes.

One of BC’s richest business people, Telus CEO Darren Entwistle, has donated 2.2 million dollars in art to the Gallery. The works in question come from celebrated Haida Artist Robert Davidson, who’s renowned for revitalizing the Coast Salish art style in the modern age. Funny enough, as I was writing this article, I remembered that I actually knew Mr. Davidson. My friend’s family are close friends of Robert’s, so he’d always be at birthday parties and special events. Tangent aside, this donation couldn’t come at a better time. Like many in Metro Vancouver, the Art Gallery holds a special place in my heart. It’s been a landmark of the elementary school field trip scene for decades; it’d be a shame if future generations weren’t able to walk its halls and admire the pieces on display.

But will this donation help the gallery stay afloat? Well, by itself, no. But in the past decade, there’s been a skyrocketing of interest in saving the gallery from locals. In 2019, Polygon Homes CEO Michael Audain announced that his foundation would invest $100 million to help build a new gallery, followed by $40 million from the wealthy Chan family, and $5 million from Aritizia CEO Brian Hill. There’s a desire to help the gallery get back on its feet. But donations alone can’t be responsible for keeping the lights on; that responsibility falls on the public.

The public desires art. We build elaborate sculptures, decorate blank walls with murals, and pursue degrees in a field that many consider “non-essential”. But life without art would be a nightmare: cold, sterile, and devoid of meaning. Places that foster creativity should be celebrated, not forgotten. If we looked up from our phones for just a few minutes, we’d notice the people who make our world brighter, like Robert Davidson and the hundreds of other artists the gallery showcases. This isn’t an advertisement. I’m not being paid to say any of this, but I believe in art. The Gallery needs us, but we also need it.

Written by Noah Schmidt

Contact: nschmidt20@my.bcit.ca

Harry Potter is Coming to Stanley Park, and People Aren’t Happy

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(ilkaygokhanozel/Pixabay)

Stanley Park has always embraced the holidays with open arms. The miniature railway and surrounding area is decked out in decorations nearly every Christmas, Halloween, and Easter, but this year, something new is in store for parkgoers.

Fans of the Harry Potter franchise will undoubtedly be familiar with the Forbidden Forest, the monster-riddled woods outside of Hogwarts Castle. Now, visitors can experience it for themselves (without forking over hundreds for a ticket to the Wizarding World at Universal Studios) at Stanley Park. But ever since the announcement of the November overlay days ago, the general response has been “mixed” to say the least.

J.K. Rowling, the creator of the Harry Potter franchise, isn’t exactly a saint. Quite the opposite, actually. Rowling has long been criticized for her animosity towards the trans community. Now, why exactly would Vancouver, a city that prides itself on embracing diversity, fund an installation of this nature? Well, I think we all know why.

The Harry Potter film franchise has grossed over one billion dollars. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios is one of the most critically acclaimed theme park attractions of all time. There’s a new Harry Potter television series in the works at HBO. Money is obviously the motivation behind the move, which calls into question the ethics of the Park Board. For a city that espouses its care for the 2SLGBT+ community, it’s a bizarre PR move to say the least.

So what has the response been? Nothing much. The event is still going forward, regardless of the criticism, even from the Vancouver City Council. Lucy Maloney’s plea to the board has fallen on deaf ears, with the board taking the stance that they choose to separate the art from the artist, and look forward to welcoming guests come November.

So, should you support the Forbidden Forest at Stanley Park? Well, that’s a matter of personal preference. The Harry Potter books & films hold a special place in the hearts of fans, and I must admit, I was one of them. I still enjoy the Harry Potter films, they’re delightful fantasy tales, but where the profits from those films went isn’t ok. There are so many things to do in Metro Vancouver during the holiday season, I don’t see this one as a necessity. Oh, and for those feeling they’ll miss out on a once-in-a-lifetime experience, the board emphasized their desire to create more IP-based attractions in the park, so this is probably just the beginning. Who’s excited for Stanley Park to become Disneyland? Not me.

Written by Noah Schmidt

Contact: nschmidt20@my.bcit.ca

Preparing For “The Big One”: What is it, When Will it Strike, and How You Can Prepare

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(Schäferle/Pixabay)

In the afternoon of February 21st, 2025, Vancouver was rocked by a 4.7-magnitude earthquake. A 4.7 is nothing major; it may knock items off a shelf, but beyond that, you’d barely know anything happened. But in the hysteria of the moment, one question took hold of our collective minds: Is this the big one? It wasn’t, but we likely aren’t far off.

Vancouver is known for its seismic activity. Sure, it’s no San Francisco, but from a young age, we’ve been taught to be prepared for earthquakes. There are little tremors almost daily, too small to register, but once in a while, a quake of apocalyptic proportions strikes the Pacific Northwest. We call it “the big one”, and we’ve been waiting for it for 325 years.

We live in an area known as the Cascadia Subduction Zone, where massive plate tectonics converge. Sometimes, a plate will start to slide underneath another, in our case, the Juan de Fuca plate under the North American plate, creating an unbelievable amount of pressure where the two meet. Eventually, with nowhere else to go, the plate snaps back into place, creating a megathrust quake. January 26th, 1700, was the last tremor of this type, and to say it was destructive would be an understatement. The magnitude is thought to have been between 8.7 and 9.2. That’s big, but hey, that quake from February was about 5, surely it can’t be that bad. Wrong! Every digit on the Richter Scale marks an increase in power by a magnitude of TEN TIMES. That 1700 quake was a borderline civilization killer, wiping out native populations on the Pacific coast in an instant, with the help of a titanic tsunami of course.

So, when are we due for round 2? Well, we’ve been due for a while. The average interval of megathrust quakes in the Cascadia region is 5-600 years, but the gap has been far smaller on a number of recent occasions. Experts believe the big one is coming, particularly in the next 50-100 years. So when the big one hits, Vancouver will be in quite the predicament. Sure, Vancouver Island acts as a natural tsunami buffer, however, waves will still wreak havoc on low-lying areas like the Delta and Richmond, and older infrastructure will likely fail. So, what exactly is the protocol in this scenario? Just accept your fate? Well, that is technically an option, but luckily, the big one isn’t necessarily a death sentence.

For years, I’ve planned for an earthquake. Not obsessively, but there are little things you can do to help save your life if the time comes. First things first, have an evacuation plan. Do you live in an area below or near sea level? If you do, know where the nearest hill or tall building is. If you’d like to avoid being crushed by falling debris, finding an open space nearby is a must. Disaster response takes time, so keeping a backpack with snacks, water, and first aid supplies can hold you over in case of a long period of isolation. But most important of all, don’t psyche yourself out. I know, the concept of a 30-foot tsunami destroying the Lower Mainland is a scary one, but it’s out of our control. Preparing is all we can do, so until that quake comes our way, let’s focus on living our normal lives.

Beach day anyone?

Written by Noah Schmidt

Contact: nschmidt20@my.bcit.ca

Why is Vancouver Called “No Fun City”?

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(Pixabay)

New York is the Big Apple. Chicago, the Windy City, Los Angeles, the City of Angels, Vancouver… Does Vancouver have a nickname? Well, not one as recognizable as those, but we do indeed have one. No fun city. Ouch. 

 “But Vancouver’s a great city!” I hear you say. It can’t be denied that Vancouver is visually a stunning place. Those mountains, the ocean, it’s a unique combination for sure. So it’s not the look. What about activities? There’s recreation out the wazoo, hiking, swimming, and even skiing. If shopping is more your speed, there’s a seemingly infinite number of stores to browse. There’s no shortage of restaurants either; it doesn’t matter what you’re craving, there’s a little bit of everything. What is the reason for the name? 

Well, there are three main suspects I can identify,  so let’s try to unmask the perpetrator. 

  1. Outdated Laws 

Without liquor, nightlife in a city is a ghost town. It’s a depressing reality, but it’s true. Vancouver’s liquor laws have been “archaic” to say the least. Not allowing drink service past 11:30 might be an idea rooted in preserving public safety, but who wants to end their Friday night at 12 am? Besides liquor, strict laws about dance floors and music have discouraged many young people from having a fun night on the town. Things are changing; bars are now allowed to serve until 2 am, and they can even apply to get permission to serve until 4, but this is a very recent change. So are the outdated liquor laws guilty? Possibly, but let’s review our other options first. 

      2. Everything is Outside 

As we’ve established, Vancouver is beautiful, and the abundance of green space makes it ideal for exercise and leisure… For about 6 months of the year. Although Seattle is technically the “Rainy City”, Vancouver is just as deserving of that title. We live in one of the wettest places on earth, with an average of around 150 cms of rainfall each year. And when your gimmick is having an abundance of outdoor activities, monsoons that last for months on end are total buzzkills.  In the city’s defense, there are still plenty of indoor attractions, but compared to other major North American cities, the selection is a little underwhelming. Science World and the aquarium Canada are meant for families and children, the Art Gallery certainly isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, and our malls, while nice, are nothing particularly special. We are an outdoor city, first and foremost, but that comes at a cost. So is this the culprit? Let’s leave it at maybe for now.

     3. It’s Expensive. Very Expensive.

I don’t mean to sound like a broken record, but Vancouver is a beautiful city (shocker, I know). But unless you live under a boulder the size of White Rock’s titular stone, the cost of living has become a bit much. As a student, I feel a shiver down my spine every time I see a listing for a downtown apartment with a monthly rent higher than my tuition, and that’s unfortunately the norm. Even the metro area is absurd, a bungalow in Langley is worth more than a mansion in Texas! At least food & gas are reasonable, right? Gas was 191 cents a litre today, and my eggs were 7 dollars. It’s not hard to see why people are angry. So we’ve found it, this must be the culprit! Well, kind of.

The cause of Vancouver’s nickname is a combination of everything we’ve discussed, plus several other issues I didn’t have time to mention. It’s an anti-climactic conclusion, but it’s true. Rain, a restrictive nightlife, and a cost-of-living crisis aren’t great for a city, and it shows. So how do we fix this problem? Unfortunately, some things are tough, if not impossible, to change. Vancouver isn’t the only city facing a cost-of-living crisis; it’s an international issue. Rain is, well, rain; there’s no changing that. But things like our restrictive drinking laws aren’t set in stone, and change has indeed happened. Maybe we need to lobby for more indoor activities; we may need to spend less money on exorbitantly priced products and find alternatives, The power is in our hands; together, we can make Vancouver Fun City.

Written by Noah Schmidt

Contact: nschmidt20@my.bcit.ca

5 Places in Metro Vancouver You Need to Visit!

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(Photo from Explore White Rock)

Travelling outside of downtown Vancouver might seem daunting at first. There are 21 separate municipalities in Metro Vancouver, all with their own diverse atmospheres. From the seaside fishing community of Steveston to the rural wine country of Langley, our region boasts an incredible amount of diversity to be appreciated. Still, more often than not, the focus is placed on downtown. As someone living outside of Vancouver proper, I’d like to change that. I’ll be your tour guide, so join me in an exploration of everything Metro Vancouver has to offer!

  1. Kwomais Point & Crescent Beach, Surrey

If you live in Vancouver, you’ve no doubt heard of Crescent Beach. Located along the east bank of Mud Bay in Surrey, its panoramas are unparalleled. From the beach, the entirety of the western Lower Mainland is visible, from the skyscrapers in Burnaby to the new Oakridge development in Vancouver. If you’re looking for recreation, there are paddleboard rentals available near Blackie Spit Park, which is itself a perfect spot for birdwatching. But just up the hill, about 5 minutes from the beach, sits the true highlight of the area: Kwomais Point. This lookout, which rests on the site of a historic place of observation and spiritualty for the Semiahmoo First Nation, later a Methodist campground, provides the most incredible view of the sunset in the Metro (tied with English Bay).

     2. Alouette Lake, Maple Ridge

Moving a bit further into the wilderness, Maple Ridge is home to some of the densest forests in the area, the best escape from the rat race that often is downtown. The highlight of the area is undoubtedly Golden Ears Provincial Park, which features a campground, woodland trails, and, most impressively, Alouette Lake. The water is perfect for a summer dip, and like Crescent Beach, equipment can be rented on-site. The lake is a photographer’s dream, as the nearby mountains turn the site into a grand, picture-esque wonderland.

     3. Fort Langley, Langley Township

Fort Langley is the colonial heart of Vancouver; the province itself was proclaimed in Langley due to its strategic history in the province’s fur trade. In the modern day, the neighborhood of Fort Langley is a humble slice of pioneer country, with authentic colonial architecture, and of course, the Fort itself, which is still used to this day, now as a tourist attraction. If you’re a fan of fine cuisine, antiquing, and a cozy atmosphere, Fort Langley is a must-visit.

     4. White Rock Pier, White Rock

One of Metro Vancouver’s more iconic symbols is White Rock’s pier, the jewel in the city’s crown. It’s the longest pier of its kind in the country, providing spectacular views of Boundary Bay, the Gulf Islands, Vancouver Island, and Whatcom County, Washington. For the thrillseekers, an everyday summertime activity is jumping off the end of the pier, usually in front of a crowd of onlookers. The pier isn’t all White Rock has to offer, as there’s plenty of shopping and dining dotted across the waterfront. Oh, and if it’s your first visit, Moby Dick’s Fish & Chips is by far the most iconic restaurant on the beach; no trip is complete without it!

     5. Larry Berg Flight Park, Richmond

This one is more of an acquired taste than the others, but I had to mention Larry Berg Flight Park. As the name suggests, Larry Berg is situated near YVR, at the end of the south runway, to be exact. Massive commercial aircraft take off directly above your head, so bring a lawn chair to situate yourself in a perfect viewing spot. There’s nothing quite like getting your hat blown off by the wind from a 747 takeoff, and together with the educational displays at the park (which includes a giant half-globe map you can walk on), it had to be on my list.

So there’s evidently a lot to do in Metro Vancouver, but it doesn’t stop here. There are hundreds, if not thousands, more places worth visiting, so what are you waiting for? Go out and explore! Take advantage of everything we’ve got, because it doesn’t matter if you’re not a fan of aviation, or beaches, or history; there’s something for everyone. Go find it!

Written by Noah Schmidt

Contact: nschmidt20@my.bcit.ca