Well, if you’ll excuse me, it’s 5:17 pm, Spirit Halloween closes in about 4 hours, and I’ve got 3.5 hours of browsing to do.

Written by Noah Schmidt

Contact: nschmidt20@my.bcit.ca

(Daquella maner/ Flickr)

I was born in 2004, just in time for the 2010 Winter Olympics, an event so monumental that its effects can still be observed today. The Richmond Olympic Oval, BC Place’s crown, and those run-down  “Welcome To the City Of Vancouver, host city of the 2010 Winter Olympics” signs are just a few remnants of an event that many reflect on as a high point in our shared history. But before the Olympics, there was an equally important event that left a significant legacy: Expo 86. 

The 1986 World’s Fair was an exhibition aimed at showcasing innovations in the world of transportation and communication, with pavilions celebrating different nations and global culture, essentially a temporary EPCOT Centre (which itself was inspired by World’s Fairs). Although we’re rapidly approaching the 40th anniversary of Expo, there are still bits and pieces of the fair scattered around the Lower Mainland. Much was demolished, sold, or moved, but some notable remnants have miraculously stuck around. 

5. Friendship 500, A.K.A. The McBarge 

Status: Partially sunk 

The Friendship 500 barge, better known by its nickname “McBarge”, is perhaps the most tragic piece of the Expo to survive into the modern day. Operating as one of many McDonald’s locations in the fairground, the McBarge was particularly notable, as it was one of the only floating McDonald’s locations on earth. However, when the fair ended, the land it was docked off of was rezoned, forcing the barge to be relocated to the Burrard Inlet in Burnaby. Eventually, it was moved once again, this time to Maple Ridge, where in March of 2025, it started to sink into the muddy bed of the Fraser River after years of neglect.

4. Expo Benches 

Status: Moved to White Rock Promenade and other locations 

Unlike the McBarge, the bright-colored benches that once dotted the Expo grounds faced a much better fate. Many were moved to the White Rock Promenade, where they still stand today, complete with their Expo 86 logo engravings intact. White Rock wasn’t the only place the benches ended up, as a handful of green ones can be spotted at the Greater Vancouver Zoo in Langley.

 3. Russian Pavillion 

Status: Moved to New Westminster, now a paper plant 

The Russian Pavilion at Expo 86 used a unique structure to host its exhibits. The building featured a roof composed of various triangular segments, which enabled it to stand without the need for internal support columns. So what became of this unique piece of architecture? It’s a toilet paper factory. No, I’m not joking. Kruger Paper Products has operated in New Westminster for over 100 years, and after Expo, they purchased the Russian Pavilion to house machinery at the plant. So if you’re ever headed north on the Queensborough Bridge, take a look at the buildings below, you’re bound to notice the former pavilion amongst the unassuming industrial park. 

 2. The China Gate 

Status: Moved to Chinatown, redesigned in 2005 

The Millennium Gate is one of Chinatown’s most recognizable and enduring symbols. But it isn’t the only gate in the neighborhood, and it’s far from the first. In 1901, the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York were set to visit Vancouver, so a large wooden welcome arch was constructed. Nearly a century later, another gate would be built, this time a few blocks away at Expo 86. The China Gate, as it was known, was donated to the city by the Chinese government after the Expo ended and was relocated to the Chinese Cultural Centre. It was massive and intricately detailed, a true highlight of Chinatown. But in 2005, after nearly 20 years of wear and tear, the city decided a facelift was in order, so the China Gate was rebuilt, losing much of its color and detail in the process. The gate still stands today as a reminder of the friendship between nations that the World Expositions of old aimed to foster. 

 1 .Most of Vancouver’s Landmarks 

Status: Still in use 

So, besides park benches and a McDonald’s, what else remains of Expo? Almost every major landmark in the city. Science World? Expo. Canada Place? Expo. BC Place? You guessed it, Expo. Even the SkyTrain, one of Metro Vancouver’s most important methods of transportation, has its roots in Expo 86, hence the name of the “Expo” Line.  

People of my generation probably don’t think about Expo much, but looking around the city today, it doesn’t take long to see how important it really was. So next time you’re at a Lions game, walking down the White Rock Promenade, or buying Kruger Paper Products toilet paper, remember that without Expo, Metro Vancouver would be a very different place. 

 *We’d probably have found a different toilet paper supplier, so that part might not be too different.

Written by Noah Schmidt

Contact: nschmidt20@my.bcit.ca

(Photo from Translink)

A few days ago, an article about a new transit system in Anaheim, California came across my screen. Apparently, a gondola system is being considered that would connect all the city’s tourist traps, which got me thinking about a similar project back home.

Burnaby Mountain is getting a gondola sometime in the (realativley) near future, and if you asked me what I thought about the project a year ago, I’d probably tell you it’s stupid waste of money. I, like many, assumed that gondolas were associated primarily with tourist attractions, such as ski resorts. Even Disneyland had its own gondolas at one point. But, to my surprise, gondolas are more popular than I thought. According to TransLink, there are over 20,000 ropeway systems in use around the world, only one of those being at a Disney resort. So they might be a better idea than I initially thought, but what exactly makes this new system so exciting?

Efficiency is the name of the game. There’s an entire city on top of Burnaby Mountain, UniverCity, which is home to one of BC’s most prominent universities, SFU. Most of my friends are students there, and I’ve travelled with them on their morning commutes several times. From what I can gather, I’m not exactly jealous of them. It’s a mess of traffic, buses and commuters clogging the roads, and when there’s a single snowflake in the air, things become borderline apocalyptic. So what does a gondola offer?

For starters, TransLink says the capacity of each cabin is about 30 people. When I envisioned this project, I pictured those Disneyland Skybuckets I mentioned earlier, which had a capacity of about 5—quite the upgrade. Cabins would depart every minute during peak hours, so almost 4,000 people could get up the mountain every hour. Sounds good, right? Well, kind of. SFU Burnaby has about 30,000 students, which doesn’t seem to bode well for the gondola. However, one must consider that A, the ride up is about half the length of a bus ride, B, there’s no traffic, and C, not everyone on the mountain commutes to the student residences up there. The gondola isn’t meant to be a replacement for buses or cars, merely an addition.

Ecologically, it doesn’t take a genius to figure out that cable cars are also better for the environment, producing 60% fewer emissions per passenger than even electric buses. I’m evidently pro-gondola, but what are the negatives? Well, if you happen to live anywhere near or along the route, the view out your window is going to change significantly. It seems some Burnaby residents are opposed to the gondola for the simple reason that giant cable towers aren’t exactly their idea of “picturesque”. I understand the criticism, although I’d prefer looking at a sky highway than the massive concrete girders of the Skytrain any day. And of course, buses have a higher capacity overall, but unlike a gondola, the system doesn’t become a death trap in snowy conditions quite as easily.

At the end of the day, a gondola on Burnaby Mountain isn’t a massive concern for me, considering I’m not an SFU student, nor do I often trek up to UniverCity, so that begs the question: what do they think about all of this? I talked with a third-year student at SFU about the issue. Here’s what he had to say:

“I think that’s the best idea they’ve ever had. It would make the commute up the mountain a lot better, as the buses are really slow and use a lot of gas. A lot of my friends who transit up the mountain all believe that it would be a great benefit.”

The student requested to remain anonymous.

There are no exact details on the project yet, not even a construction timeline, so who knows when the thing will begin operations. However, one thing’s for sure: I’m going to enjoy joyrides on Metro Vancouver’s only gondola as often as I can.

(yestoforever/Pixabay)

Vancouver is a beautiful place. That’s not just bias from a Metro Vancouverite, either; the Lower Mainland is one of the most naturally stunning places on the planet. From the towering Northshore mountains to rugged rainforests, our area is a stunning showcase of a place where the human world meets the wilderness. But with all that being said, everyone needs a vacation once in a while, and as nice as it is here, sometimes being somewhere that doesn’t rain for three quarters of the year is enticing. So, where do we travel? There’s no clear answer to that question, but as an adventurer myself, I can think of a few places where you’d be hard-pressed not to run into someone from Vancouver.

Remember when I said that some people like to take a break from the rain? Some don’t seem to mind it, as Vancouver Island has cemented itself as a favorite destination for mainland tourists. Ask anyone what they think of the island and the answer is always the same: “It’s beautiful!” Besides natural beauty, there’s another big perk: It’s convenient. About 2.5 hours on a ferry from Tsawwassen (and another half an hour on the road) takes you right into the heart of historic downtown Victoria, with all the shops, dining, and attractions you could ever want. And if you’re willing to drive for a few more hours, Tofino is a haven for both surfers and storm watchers.

Beyond BC, there are several places that come to mind when one thinks of vacationing, but one stands out in the crowd. Somewhere convenient (well, if a 6-hour flight is your idea of convenient), full of white sand and crystal clear waters, and somewhere so jam-packed with Canadian tourists that it’s not hard to find our flag flying right beside the star-spangled banner itself. The Hawaiian islands provide a sense of safety for Canadian tourists, as part of the United States, it’s about as stress-free as international tropical travelling gets, and for Vancouverites, it’s like stepping into a different world. Instead of beaches covered in barnacle-laced boulders, the islands are home to some of the greatest recreation-friendly beaches on earth. I visited Waikiki beach on O’ahu for the first time last month, and I’ve never seen bluer water in my life. Their relatively small size makes them a breeze to trek across. For instance, traveling halfway across Maui takes roughly the same amount of time as driving from Langley to Vancouver in low traffic. With tourist attractions at every turn, there’s enough to keep you busy for months. For those assuming I’m greatly exaggerating Metro Vancouverites’ love for Hawaii, here’s some proof. Two years ago I visited K’aui, the northernmost and least travelled to of the main islands. On the beach, I noticed a man in a familiar hat. Upon closer inspection, it was a cap from a local brewery in my neighborhood in South Langley. A few minutes later, I find my dad talking with a retired Surrey firefighter he worked with years ago. Something tells me this isn’t common in many other places.

Another tropical location on the itinerary is Mexico, which is the second most-travelled-to country by Canadians outside of the US. Similarly to Hawaii, its beaches are a sharp contrast to those back home, and the rich culture and cuisine provide something that can’t be found here. Europe is also a favorite, specifically the UK, France, and Italy, and of course, there’s Cuba, a country known for its staggering Canadian tourist population. And finally, there’s Canada. Well, the rest of the country that is. Edmonton, Montreal, and Toronto are just a handful of places we like to visit, as domestic vacations are as hassle-free as they get.

With all that being said, I can’t help but feel a sense of comfort when I get back from a vacation. While most are justifiably upset to leave a tropical destination like Hawaii, as soon as the plane lands at YVR, I’m happy to be home. No matter how blue the waters at Waikiki Beach are, nothing beats the panorama of the north shore, the sunsets at English Bay, or the calm quiet of the rainforest. So even though travelling is fun, I feel privileged to call this place home.

Written by Noah Schmidt

Contact: nschmidt20@my.bcit.ca

(Dayamay/Pixabay)

If you live anywhere near Fraser Highway, you’ve no doubt been pulling your hair out during your daily commute recently. The Surrey-Langley extension of the Skytrain’s Expo Line has been underway for a few years at this point, delaying traffic on the highway as construction crews begin to go vertical. I mean, it’s not ideal for the thousands upon thousands of commuters who use Fraser Highway every day, but as a bit of a Skytrain nut, it’s fantastic to see the massive crawler cranes, the piers for the track, and the stations themselves beginning to materialize. But as we approach the tentative 2029 opening date, one must ask this question: What’s next? 

Well, actually, we do already know some things about the immediate future of the network. UBC will be integrated further into the system with the upcoming Broadway Subway project, which will expand the Millennium Line to Arbutus Street, providing easier access to the province’s most prominent university. The line won’t go all the way to the Endowment Lands just yet, but it’ll only be a matter of time until it pushes through.

So after that, what’s next? Well, we don’t really know, but we can certainly make some educated guesses. 

1.The Northshore 

If you pull out a map of the Skytrain system, you might notice that one notable part of Metro Vancouver is entirely empty. North Vancouver and West Vancouver have been a thorn in TransLink’s side for a long time, as any effort to take the train across the Burrard Inlet will no doubt cost a fortune, requiring a new bridge or tunnel. So, are there any plans set in stone? Well, no, but in 2020, the province stated they have been discussing six separate routes for fixed transit across (or beneath) the Burrard, so it’s safe to say that something is undoubtedly in the pipeline. 

2. Port Coquitlam 

The seeds for a Port Coquitlam expansion of the Skytrain were planted long ago. Infrastructure was built during Coquitlam Centre’s expansion of the Evergreen line; the plan has always been to eventually reach PoCo. Despite this, I can’t see this happening soon. At all. There are quite a few high-priority projects going on at the moment; in comparison, a Port Coquitlam extension seems like something that can wait another decade or so. 

3. South Surrey and White Rock 

Another region that’s lacking the Skytrain is South Surrey and its tiny neighbor, White Rock. The Surrey-Langley extension will bring the train within a reasonable distance of the area, and potentially serve as a jumping-off point for a future line, say, down King George Boulevard, but like Port Coquitlam, there’s no world where this is a priority for TransLink. The region is connected enough to the rest of Metro Vancouver via Highway 99 and bus routes, although a line that terminates near one of the two US border crossings in Surrey couldn’t be a bad idea. 

4. Beyond Metro Vancouver

TransLink operates transportation in Metro Vancouver only; the rest of the province is administered by BC Transit, whose buses you may have seen on Highway 1 or in Victoria. But TransLink’s presence does extend into our neighboring region, the Fraser Valley, with the West Coast Express, which runs from Waterfront Station downtown all the way to Mission. So, is there any future for the Skytrain in the Fraser Valley? Unless Abbotsford’s population magically grows to be that of Surrey’s overnight, no. Even if such a thing were to happen, the answer would likely stay the same. The SkyTrain was designed with Metro Vancouver in mind. Sure, it can theoretically be expanded outwards, but where’s the limit? The further you get from Vancouver, the fewer people there are to serve. I’m sure there are probably people in Chilliwack who’d like a train, but it’s just not feasible for the system in place.

As one of the seven people that live in Langley (I kid. There are nine of us.), I’m excited to see my city become further integrated into Metro Vancouver. I would’ve been even more excited if the train opened when I’m still at school, but I guess sitting in an hour of traffic on the highway every morning will have to do until 2029. Whatever the future holds for the SkyTrain, I’m sure it will continue to serve us well for years to come, and I, for one, can’t wait for the inevitable extension to Kamloops.

Written by Noah Schmidt

Contact: nschmidt20@my.bcit.ca