Editor’s Message ~ by John Hurst

by John Hurst Editor’s Note

John Bonnet, who wrote an important article for this issue of SPOA’s magazine, shared a commonality with me, in writing for the same tabloid. At different times, we contributed as employees to ingot, the smelter newspaper for Alcan Smelters & Chemicals Ltd., John in Kemano and myself in Kitimat. John’s story was done as a gag for an April Fool’s Day issue in those days, but in this one, he writes on a very serious topic — occupational health and safety. It carries some viewpoints that are sure to generate some serious reaction from SPOA readers.

In other articles, the complexities of getting a skateboard facility off the ground are explained in more ways than one, by Chris Parry, director of the Canadian Amateur Skateboard Association. He is correct in stating that from its inception, skateboarding has shared a special relationship with schoolyards. It makes for compelling reading.

B.C. Hydro has contributed a thoughtful piece on Richmond School District 38, which had a decision to make in designing its new Robert McMath Secondary School. Should the district install a conventional heating and cooling system for an annual energy cost of $120,000? Or should it install a geoexchange heat pump system that would cost less than $100,000 a year in operating costs?

Some suppliers that have been active in providing novel features to public facilities have some mention in this issue too. We cover the installation of four FieldTurf playing surfaces at the Burnaby Lake Sports Complex in 1999. Also, there is an exposition of the emerging influence of composite and plastic furniture and playground equipment, from the RockCraft and Wishbone companies.

Also, we provide an account of the 40th annual SPOA conference, with commentary by organizers Glenn Miller and John Garossino.

Eclectic stuff for a field of widely divergent interests.

BEVANDARCHITECTURE

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