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East Vancouver residents pick up fast food litter 'drowning' the neighbourhood. P2
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Sound of Music
Vancouverites use social isolation time to learn new musical instruments. langaravoice.ca
MARCH 25, 2021 • VOL. 54 NO. 06 • VANCOUVER, B.C.
Campus rezoning passed
25-year master plan features denser campus By ALAINA SAINT AMOUR
V
Since last March, the majority of students have been learning from home. Some students are still coming to campus to study.
PHOTO HANNAH SNIDER
COVID-19: one year later Langara College looks back on the impacts of pandemic
By HANNAH SNIDER
I
t’s been one year since Langara College shifted to remote learning to prevent the spread of COVID-19. On March 12, 2020, the college had to halt in-person instruction after WHO declared COVID-19 a pandemic. Without preparation, students and teachers had to adjust to online learning, and college administration had to provide technical support. The campus went online just three months after Kaitlin Lovering began her job as a Langara chemistry instructor. Lovering quickly noticed anxiety levels spiking among faculty and students. “You would be wandering the halls, and you know everyone is talking about it because ‘coronavirus’ sounds the same in everyone’s language,” said Lovering, who added that she had felt tired between the anxiety surrounding the pandemic, course preparation and classes moving online. Chris Arnold-Forster, director of the Emergency Operations Centre at Langara, was serving some 20,000 Langara community members during
the first phases of the pandemic. Carmen Larsen, Langara curricu- skills training, announced that The EOC had a team of 120 people lum consultant, taught workshops post-secondary institutions should in March 2020 to help source essen- for instructors to help them move prepare for a safe return to in-person tial supplies during a global shortage their courses online. learning in September. of sanitary products and technical “The instructors ... were just so Shauna Bevacqua, a first-year arts equipment required for online learn- motivated to help students in this student, has concerns about returning. crazy time and do the best that they ing to campus, but feels prepared. “The depth of challenges there could do,” she said. “As long as the vaccination schedwere quite high because there was a Larsen said she started many of her ule goes according to plan, I'll be global shortage of tech equipment sessions with instructors by remind- ready to go back in,” she said. “I am to go to online learning,” a bit nervous, especially Arnold-Forster said. since I didn't have the Carrie Jia, a student experience before. So it's “My first concern in the applied planning going to feel kind of like would be that when we post-degree diploma starting for the first time come back to campus program, said online again.” learning created a disconThe college, which on that we don't recognize March nect among instructors 12 flew the Canasome of the grief that and classmates. She added dian flag at half-mast to that she had to buy a new mark the anniversary of all of us will have.” computer for school. WHO declaring COVIDChris Arnold-Forster CHRIS ARNOLD“My laptop just wasn’t 19 a pandemic, has said it DIRECTOR OF LANGARA EOC FORSTER able to handle the applicawould adhere to the provtion we were using,” she said. ing them they were going through a ince’s mandate to open. After Langara cancelled the major- global crisis. Langara administration is still ity of in-person classes, instructors “We had all of two seconds to get working out all the logistical and had to learn to use new computer online, so let's be good to ourselves,” curriculum details. applications, such as Zoom, Kaltura she told the instructors. “Let’s be “My first concern would be that and Brightspace. The college also had good to our students. Let’s take care when we come back to campus that to negotiate with Adobe to extend of each other. Let’s be patient.” we don't recognize some of the grief software licences to student and On March 8, Anne Kang, minis- that all of us will have,” Arnoldinstructor personal computers. ter of advanced education and Forster said.
ancouver city council on March 11 unanimously passed a rezoning application that would increase density on the Langara College campus. The approval means the development plan for the college can move forward. The plan features five new buildings across the campus and is expected to be carried out over a 25-year period. The large-scale redevelopment is designed to meet an increasing number of students. “Langara College has recently experienced a period of rapid and unprecedented student growth that has put a strain on its existing physical resources,” said rezoning planner for the City of Vancouver Tiffany Rougeau at the public hearing. The master plan for Langara’s redevelopment will involve larger buildings with more capacity, including a maximum height of six storeys for three of the buildings. “[The plan] allows the flexibility for the college over the next 25 years as things change at the college to decide what their priorities are and what goes into certain buildings,” said Langara’s Wendy Lannard, lead consultant for the facilities master plan. Local resident Tony Ditmars, who lives close to the Ontario Street bike route, is worried that more traffic will be routed to residential areas with the redevelopment. He opposed the application during the public hearing. “I don't think that the plans to curb this traffic are firm enough,” Ditmars said at the public hearing, noting he has lived at his address for 35 years through a number of college expansions. “Every time there's an open house, the planners suggest that there will be efforts to curb the traffic out of this entrance. But nothing ever changes.” Rezoning sketches show where the buildings will go, but not what they will look like. Architects will work with planners to design the sites and then Langara will consult staff, students and residents on what they want to see. “Langara has not secured funding for this project yet and when it does, an architect will be hired and programming for the building will be done,” Lannard said in an email statement.
Businessnews
EDITOR NORMAN GALIMSKI | THURSDAY , MARCH 25, 2021 | THE VOICE
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East Vancouver neighbourhood ‘drowning’ in takeout garbage Restaurant food packaging litter increases during COVID-19 pandemic By EMILY LYTH
E
very day, David Faber cleans up the litter that has accumulated on his front lawn on Victoria Drive with a bucket and trash picker in hand. Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, trash from local businesses has been increasingly ending up on the lawns, streets and alleyways of this Victoria-Fraserview neighbourhood. Faber has lived in the neighbourhood since 2011 and said that the trash problem is getting worse. “We’ve seen a real increase, especially over the last year, in the amount of street garbage in our neighbourhood,”
TAKEOUT TRASH IN VANCOUVER - 2020
» 9,821 tonnes
of takeout containers
» 7,509 tonnes of retail bags
» 4,088 tonnes of disposable cups
» 793 tonnes of utensils
» 172 tonnes of straws
SOURCE: METRO VANCOUVER 2020
Faber said. Blunt said. A recent waste composition study “It’s disheartening for me, I guess, surveying disposal facilities in the because it shows a lack of pride in the Metro Vancouver Regional District community.” revealed that an estimated 259 million Vancouver city councillor Pete Fry takeout containers were disposed of in said that the disposal fees for mattresses 2020, compared lead to their illegal to 179 million in “If people don't deal dumping. 2018. Containers “It does take a left on the streets delicate balance, with it now, we're remained unacbecause obviously counted for in disposal does going to drown in those estimates. come at a cost to According to our own garbage.” the city,” said Fry. Faber, the proxim“The real barrier ity of the McDonis a lack of conve— DAVID FABER, RESIDENT alds, Starbucks nient places to and Tim Hortons dispose of things.” at the intersection of East 41st Avenue Monique Koningstein, executive and Victoria Drive has increased the director of the Victoria Drive Business amount of takeout waste found in Improvement Association, said that the neighbourhood. garbage cans are “crucial” to have near “I think they’re ashamed,” said Faber, takeout businesses. who sent letters to all three businesses Prior to the pandemic, the Victoria demanding accountability. He has yet Drive BIA employed Coast Mental to receive a response. Health Foundation workers to clean A manager at the Tim Hortons, the area five days a week. which opened in 2020, said that The foundation has had to cease while building staff clean the restau- all clean-up operations during the rant’s exterior on a regular basis, Tim pandemic due to safety concerns. Hortons employees only do so if busiKoningstein said the Victoria Drive ness is slow. BIA is negotiating a new contract with Managers at the neighbouring the foundation. In the meantime, the McDonald’s and Starbucks said area’s cleanliness depends on weekly that their employees are required to litter collection service provided by the clean up litter on their company’s City of Vancouver. property, but any garbage found “That’s why we’re still seeing a lot on the surrounding streets is not of garbage on the street,” Koningstein their responsibility. said. “But as far as businesses and their Tim Blunt, a lifelong South Vancou- responsibility, that’s something we feel ver resident, said that people are also they have to deal with themselves.” been discarding large pieces of furniFaber said placing a garbage can next ture and debris in the alleyways over the to the bus stop in front of his home past few years. would encourage people not to litter. “It’s just a daily mess of people “If people don’t deal with it now, dumping garbage bags, and construc- we’re going to drown in our own tion stuff, and more mattresses,” garbage,” said Faber.
David Faber cleans up trash off his lawn on Victoria Dr. EMILY LYTH PHOTO
Campusnews
COVID-19 opened doors for new students Remote learning provided the flexibility to learn for some students
By MAXINE ELLIS
F
or some students, the COVID19 pandemic has been the reason they decided to go to school this past year. While many chose to pick up baking and other hobbies during quarantine, others found that the pandemic was the catalyst they needed to head back to school. Accessibility and more free time have proven to be key factors when assessing why those students chose to start their post-secondary education during a global pandemic. Daniel Rotaru, a f irst-year part-
time computer science student at chaos when she enrolled in Langara’s Fridland said. Pandemic learning has divided Langara College, runs his own fibre healthcare accessibility program. The Where the online format provided students into two different cateoptics business between Vancouver program was a response to the short- advantages for some, they proved to gories, said Thor Polukoshko, an and Calgary. Having to constantly age of long-term care aides during be a big challenge for others. Katie English instructor at Langara. He travel between the two Dowle, a general sciences said there are students, like Dowle, provinces for work made student at Langara, put her who are struggling to engage in going to in-person education on hold because courses and with their content, “I had more free classes nearly impossible of the pandemic. and there are those, like Rotaru, time, things for Rotaru in the pre“The act of who may have struggled in a pandemic world. going sometraditional classroom enviwere online and “As soon as the pandemic where to ronment, but are now hit, that all changed. I had learn really Read full story flourishing in this new more accessible, more free time, things g o t my online setting. at langaraand unlike most were online and more m i n d “There are those voice.ca accessible, and unlike set workstudents who are just MAXINE ELLIS PHOTO people, it worked most people, it worked ing. I would absolutely thriving in the out better for me.” out better for me,” Rotaru get into tthe online environment, those said. “I’ve kind of fallen mindset of 'OK, students who in class might — DANIEL ROTARU, LANGARA STUDENT in love with remote work. I have to learn today’ have been too shy to say something,” "You can actually have a remote job the pandemic. or ‘I have to focus on these things Polukoshko said. and still have a business and make “I was a line cook for a really long today.’ Being at home, on a screen “Those students who are so busy those two things work together, time and I wanted to get out of on a Zoom call, did not do that for with work and personal life that they and I got a little taste of that with that industry, then [the] pandemic me,” Dowle said. miss classes, and the online format remote school.” really nailed that coff in shut. So, There are 14,450 students enrolled is allowing those students to be like First-year Langara student Anela two days after, I decided I was never in the current academic year at ‘hey, I can do this at my own pace,’ Fridland found opportunity amid the going to work in a kitchen again,” Langara College. and they get really engaged.”
Arts&life
EDITOR HENRI B NGIMBIS | THURSDAY, MARCH 25, 2021 | THE VOICE
Leisl and Milan Spremic with their children at White Rock Beach, B.C.,March 21., CHRISTI
WALTER PHOTO
Family Freeman in the park in Kelowna, March 20, 2021. HENRI NGIMBIS
3
PHOTO
COVID-19 brings families closer
B.C.families have learned very much through this year of pandemic.
Palvisha Shaleen (third right) enjoys weekend with family members in Vancouver. CHRISTI WALTER PHOTO By CHRISTI WALTER
W
hile COVID-19 upended the world this past year, some B.C. families have found a stronger sense of connection and clarity about what really matters. When the pandemic rolled through B.C., along with social distancing and stay-at-home protocols, it brought tragedy, anxiety and steep economic cost. But some families found deeper gratitude for simple things like nature and appreciation for loved ones. On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared COVID19 a pandemic. School recitals were cancelled, campuses all but shuttered and sports teams saw their seasons go down the drain, as people in B.C. were asked to keep at home. While restrictions were loosened in the summer, winter was spent at home with few organized activities. Allyn Whyte, a White Rock resident and mother of two young sons, says
while it’s been hard for them seeing their activities cancelled and plans changed, her family has had the chance to appreciate the outdoors in a new way this year, spending time at the beach and hiking trails. “We live in such a beautiful place for that,” she said. “My boys are always outdoors a lot because they need to be.” Whyte said they’ve always spent plenty of time outdoors, but this year’s COVID-related restrictions “made us appreciate it more.” They’re not alone. According to the Ministry of Environment, there have been thousands of bookings for B.C. parks since reservations opened earlier this month. Camping reservation records were broken in 2020. For other British Columbians, the pandemic reminded them of what they care about most. Sue Maharaja, a Vancouver retiree, says that despite the past year’s challenges, it’s been a chance to focus on priorities, like reaching out to family. “When you have that time to actu-
James Gordon with wife Michelle and brother-in-law in Kelowna-City Park. HENRI NGIMBIS PHOTO
ally sit down and think about things, you realize what’s really important in life,” she said. Maharaja’s family is spread out in two different countries, both with COVIDrelated restrictions. She has siblings in the Caribbean she can’t currently travel to see, and a son in Prince George. “I haven’t been able to see him, but I talk to him a lot on the phone,” she said. “We communicate more. Communication is the key. We communicate more now than we ever have before.” Palvisha Shaheen in Chilliwack finds she’s connected more with family longdistance than she did in the past. “We have some family in New York,” she said. “We’ve gone on Zoom with them more this year than we used to.” Shaheen has been able to meet with B.C. relatives for the first time in a long time now that B.C. has lifted restrictions on outdoor gatherings of up to 10 people. The Canadian Mental Health Association also advises staying in touch Lee Morgan and son in UBCO Park with family and loved ones.
HENRI NGIMBIS PHOTO
Sportsnews
EDITOR CATHERINE MWITTA | THURSDAY, MARCH 25, 2021 | THE VOICE
Basketball BC championships in limbo Return to stricter COVID-19 safety rules has halted championships
By ALEX ANTROBUS
B
Falcons struggling with recruitment Pandemic has led Falcons to garner Falcons women's basketball team commemorates Bell's Lets Talk day. (LANGARA ATHLETICS/PHOTO)
prospects through sign-up forms and Zoom By AMIR KHAN
L
“Obviously the college route is a little all the restrictions and everything. angara Falcons are struggling bit cheaper than going to university,” “And eventually he invited me to to recruit new players due Watson said. “That also gives a lot of come for one of the practices and that’s to PACWEST protocols players the ability to continue playing kind of how it all started.” limiting coaches’ scouting basketball when maybe if they went Binny Atwal, the women’s access to prospects. directly to university they wouldn’t be basketball team point-guard, said that Virginia Watson, the Falcons allowed to [play].” persistence is key if prospects hope to women’s basketball head coach, said Elijah Devison, a former student at become a part of a Langara Falcons she’s attempting to bolster interest Lord Tweedsmuir secondary school team. in those thinking of playing at the in Surrey, joined the Langara Falcons “It’s a lot harder now than it’s been college level by maintaining constant men’s basketball team as a point- before because obviously coaches are contact with prospects through emails, guard/shooting guard last November. not … going to watch your games,” until PACWEST gives clearance for Devison said usually coaches would she said. “Keep your eyes open, try confirmed prospects to contact coaches, to be able to attend our coaches are very training sessions willing to let you “Recruiting has been with coaches. come in and try out tough this year ... I have “Prospects for and play ball. The next year still aren’t best thing to do is a few kids who have allowed in the gym keep trying.” yet,” Watson said. For next season, verbally commited.” C u r r e n t l y, Watson is glad to — VIRGINIA WATSON Langara College is have eight of her FALCONS WOMEN'S BASKETBALL COACH (LANGARA ATHLETICS / holding Zoom infocurrent athletes PHOTO) sessions in March for return for the athletes interested in n e x t t e n t a t i ve joining the Langara Falcons women’s contact prospects to recruit them. competitive season. She’s also looking basketball team, or the Langara Falcons However, during the pandemic, forward to meeting her prospects men’s soccer team. he said he had to contact Langara’s once PACWEST updates the rules for Watson said that current prospects basketball coach Paul Eberhardt, to coaches recruiting. have anxieties about their post- join the Falcons team. “Recruiting has been tough this year secondary careers and that she’s been “I think we were emailing back and and I have a few kids who have verbally providing them information about forth for probably about four or five committed,” Watson said, adding that the Langara athletics and intramurals months prior to me actually joining soon they’ll be able to have them in the department, so that they can “make the team,” Devison said. “Just keeping gym. informed decisions” about where they in contact and him letting me know “It will be really nice to see them,” want to go. what was going on with the school and Watson said. HOW TO REACH US
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asketball BC is clinging to the hope it will be able to proceed with its 2021 Provincial Club Championships — unlike PACWEST — after a rollercoaster season that has seen repeated changes in sporting safety guidelines. Basketball BC, an organization that seeks to build and sustain the integrity of basketball, had been worried it might not be able to stage its championships, after B.C.’s oversight body viaSport tightened sports guidelines last fall. However, on Mar. 22, viaSport announced it would allow Basketball BC to hold “two or three club-based competitions,” with “loosened travel restrictions.” Still, nothing is set in stone. Connor Ranspot, youth programs and special events coordinator for Basketball BC, said there is still some uncertainty whether the 2021 Provin-
“I trust our community and our school will do [its] best to try to make the right choices.” — AARON MITCHELL, CO-COACH OF BURNABY KNIGHTS
cial Club Championships will actually take place. This back-and-forth has been a theme for Basketball BC through a rocky 2020/2021 season. Corbin Castres, co-coach of the Burnaby Knights, didn’t start training the team until November and by then, he and his co-coach Aaron Mitchell just tried to make the best out of a bad situation. “The kids had already signed up ... and they pay money to be there,” said Mitchell, who added that they were running the team within the government restrictions as they prepared for the 2021 championship season. “And that’s all we’ve been really doing, planning for next year, kind of getting our schedules ready for the following season and having our fingers crossed.” Jake McCallum, president of PACWEST, said PACWEST was also anticipating a possible 2021 winter competitive season. However, viaS-
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port’s return to phase two of regulations halted their plans. “We’ve moved in and out of different phases, we’ve progressed to phase three, and then taking a step back to phase two,” McCallum said. “So anytime there’s an announcement, we have to listen to what the health authority is saying and then adjust or just stay status quo.” Mitchell said that he’s glad to be back at work and that COVID-19 restrictions are being loosened. “[I’m] hoping that we still stay the course for spring break,” Mitchell said. “I know some things have opened up, but I trust our community and our school will do [its] best to try to make the right choices.”
VIASPORT RETURN TO SPORT PHASES
THE TIMELINE AND PROTOCOLS
Phase One March 2020
Residents of B.C. are under quarantine. - No non-essential travel. - No contact or team sports. - No shared equipment.
Phase Two May 2020-Now
What is being referred to by the provincial government as phase two. In this phase, sport associations are able to operate under enhanced protocols. - No non-essential travel. - Contact sports are not allowed, modified team sports are allowed. - Minimal shared equipment.
Phase Three
Momentarily from August 2020 December 2020
Phase three of the Restart Plan called the “Progressively Loosen” Phase. - Essential travel only and no group gatherings over 50 people. - Competition slowly introduced. Regional competition for sports in cohorts. - Altered model of contact sport introduced. SOURCE: VIASPORT.CA
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