 |
| The Nat: a view from the barrier free Hillcrest Centre |
It's the first day of summer so I decided an afternoon of baseball complete with beer, hot dog, 50/50 draw and plenty of sunshine is just what the doctor ordered. Actually I'm pretty sure the doc would suggest I knock off the hot dog and beer but I am a baseball traditionalist. I try to take in a game at the "Nat" at least once a year. I've seen many changes both on and off the field since I started attending 16 years ago. Built in 1951 it was first called Capilano Stadium. In 1956 the pro ball came to town and the stadium became home to the triple A Vancouver Mounties of the Pacific Coast League (PCL). There was a brief two year absence in 1963 and 64, but the team returned in 65 and stayed through 69. The park did not host pro ball again until 1978 when the PCL returned with the Vancouver Canadians. The stadium was also renamed Nat Bailey Stadium. Nat Bailey, founder of the White Spot restaurant chain, got his start as a peanut vendor at the iconic Empire Stadium. The triple A Canadians team lasted until the end of the 2000 season. Since 2001 a new version of the Canadians hits the field as a single A team in the Northwest League on the retitled Scotiabank Field.
The disability seating in this ball park was an afterthought. Main gates into the stadium building can be accessed by wheelchair, but stairs to every section of the stands make it necessary for PWDs to sit in a segregated area literally in left field. It even has a separate entrance. Apart from this problem, the new team owners have made upgrades and improvements. The disability area feels more a part of the stadium as a new beer garden and children's play area have been added nearby. Washrooms have been upgraded and are accessible and the disability entrance is now a proper gate. Sadly, however, all but a few of the disability seats are crap. The historically poor view been made worse this year (2011) with the addition of a new third base suite for groups of 25 where often-standing patrons can limit the view in the disablity area even more than previously. The team does not honour the Access 2 entertainment program (see post "Van Dusen Gardens growing more accessible"), making the current price for many PWDs requiring attendants a relatively steep $20 when compared with much superior views in the reserved grandstand seating at $12.50. The most expensive single seat tickets are $22, so the value for money for PWDs requiring attendants is very poor.
 |
| The third base luxury suite features some of the best seats |
 |
| Right next to the luxury box are the worst of seats -- in the disability section |
 |
| You can't see home plate from the middle section of the disability area |
 |
| Sit as far back as possible for the best of a limited view |
This type of accommodation is utterly at odds with its neighbour and landlord (the City of Vancouver) in Hillcrest Park. The city has adopted the very latest and highest standard of accessibility: barrier free. The former 2010 Olympic curling venue, now the Hillcrest Community Centre, has a gym, ice hockey rink, indoor /outdoor aquatic centre, public library, curling club and more. Time for the Vancouver Canadians and their landlord, the City of Vancouver, to create better access at Scotiabank Field.
 |
| Former Olympic and Paralympic curling venue |
If you want more info on the Scotiabank Field and Vancouver Canadians email them at
staff@canadiansbaseball.com or google Vancouver Canadians Baseball to find their official site. It is impossible to post the link.
If you want information on the rest of Hillcrest Park and Community Centre go to
http://www.vancouver.ca/ and follow the links.
No comments:
Post a Comment