The River District Discovery Centre was designed to be disassembled and moved to other sites

How do you create a dynamic and exciting community?

The East Fraser Lands in Vancouver has officially become the River District.

With a 20-year building plan just getting underway, interest is very high and soon-to-be residents are lining up to be the first among its community members.

There is a unique challenge to rebrand industrial land, engage the existing community and keep interest growing over a 20-year development.

TAAC members came to hear about the challenges faced and solutions created from the team behind the River District Vision Centre.

Interactive Projection Model

Speakers included Yosh Kasahara, Marketing Manager, Parklane Homes (lead developer for the project), Ashley Willard Bauman, Braun-Allison (communications and strategy team), Shaun August, Eos Lightmedia (multimedia and lighting lead for the project), Juan Tanus, KEI Space (exhibit integration and interior installation project manager) and Ross Ireland, 3DS (exhibit and signage fabricator).

It was a beautiful summer evening and The River Centre walls opened onto the river

Note: the images are thumbnails — please click to see them full-size.

TAA President Duane Fast is deputized by Gordon Linden into The Expo Book Team

On October 20, 2010 the Themed Attraction Association Canada put together a special Expo event. It was held at the Creekside Community Centre, an Olympic heritage building on the former Expo 86 site.

This was an event close to the TAA’s heart. TAA Canada was born after Expo 86. Our founding members worked together to produce that amazing event and then joined forces to start the Themed Attraction Association. Our purpose was not only to liaise with other people in the same industry, but also to work together to get more international work of the same caliber. And we’ve been pretty successful–our members have worked on every World Expo since 1986.

For this event we brought in a guest speaker from California. Gordon Linden is an acknowledge expert on Expos and the author of a well-known book on the topic.

Full House at the TAA Canada Expo Event

THE EXPO BOOK addresses all aspects of the complex and rewarding business of creating an outstanding and successful world expo–from seeking registration with the Bureau of International Expositions, to selecting a site and formulating a theme, through all the subsequent planning, financial, operations and development issues including the transition to post-use of the site. It is probably the definitive source for expo information.

At this well-attended event Gordon gave us a great overview of Expos past, present and future. He discussed what went wrong and what went right, as well as what to expect next.

Spectacular location combined with fascinating speaker equals amazing event!

There were two areas of focus at this conference. The main item on the agenda was a call for better interpretive and marketing skills amongst Geopark operators. Park operators tend to be academics more focused on the science of the park than the visitor experience. Both are important but a better balance must be achieved.

The second area of concern was that Geoparks were too focused on the geology of the park. While unique geology is the criteria for creating a Geopark, it has to work in conjunction with the geography (physical, cultural and human) as well as the biology of the park. All of these areas should be given equal importance.

Exciting news for Canadians was the official application of a Geopark in Canada, Stonehammer Park in New Brunswick. If accepted, this would be the first Geopark in North America.

Duane Fast of Canada and Professor Liu Changming of China discuss closer ties between UNESCO and the International Geographical Union

Cathy Bullen shows off the PowerSmart house

The front entrance to the pavilion is guarded by two giant First Nations carvings of welcoming figures. The tour included a PowerSmart house constructed on the site. This amazing display of energy saving innovations is slated to be donated to a worthy cause after the pavilion is decommissioned. The pavilion also featured an impressive array of Olympic memorabilia, including medals and torches.

After the tour, the group adjourned to the lounge area for food, beverages and speakers. Our guest speaker was Trevor Hirschfield, a Paralympic athlete.

Trevor Hirschfield talks about his medal winning performance in Beijing

This was followed by TAA Canada members showcasing their roles in Olympic work.

Chris Au of Didax Design marvels at the Olympic goodies

Food, drinks and schmoozing are at the heart of every TAA event

A green wall on the PowerSmart building

Finished Spindle Whorls

Spindle Whorls were originally small hand held spinning wheels for spinning fibers. Carved by First Nation’s artists to make them more attractive, they have since become an art form, sometimes made in larger sizes like the ones in the Squamish L’íl’wat Cultural Center. At 7-½ ft in diameter, these are the largest ever made that actually rotate. Towering over you as you enter the cultural center, they make an impressive sight.

Hugh Dasken of H. Dasken Mechanical and Technical Innovations had responsibility for design (excluding the carving), manufacturing and installation of the pedestals, based on a conceptual design by D. Jensen and Associates. The project presented some unique engineering challenges. Since each one weighs approximately 1,500 pounds and stands 15 feet tall they had to be made exceptionally strong. Quiet operation was also important, so the enclosure for the electric drive mechanism incorporated custom engineered soundproofing to allow the Spindle Whorls to rotate silently.

Both pedestals were fabricated out of steel and finished with polyurethane paint resulting in a durable and attractive finish. They were fabricated in Vancouver and carried to Whistler Village on flat bed semi trailers. The pedestals were then erected inside the Cultural Center where they were secured to the concrete floor with large anchor bolts. Last of all, the huge cedar Spindle Whorl disks were lifted carefully into place and attached to the rotational mechanism on each pedestal.

Hugh Dasken reports that this project was rewarding for both its engineering challenges and the magnificent way it showcases the carvings.

Zhenkang Li and Ian McLennan, in Shanghai, China

Recently in Shanghai TAA board member Ian McLennan met with Zhenkang Li of the Conter Group. The Conter Group is contracted for a number of specialized services to the EXPO 2010 Corporation.

Zhenkang is one of TAA’s most trusted and able supporters in Shanghai – and has met with and assisted, on several occasions in the past, several TAA members – including Duane Fast (Artcraft Advertising), David James (Panther Management), and Hal Kalman (Commonwealth).

Zhenkang Li and Ian discussed a number of proposed initiatives – particularly for the post-Expo 2010 period, including residual usage of the Expo grounds (events and development), art projects, and other possibilities. They also discussed ease of entry into major pavilions by TAA and other exposition professionals during the run of EXPO 2010.

The Cultch

Following the AGM, the Executive Director of The Cultch, Heather Redfern, led the group on a tour of the facility. The Cultch has experienced an amazing refurbishment and transformation. This phase is nearing completion.

Ian McLennan has been integral in the field of science communication for almost 50 years. Beginning his career as a science centre executive, he has now developed an international reputation as an ‘extra-ordinarily well-informed and effective consultant’ in the development and operations of science centre, museum and planetarium experiences.

In 1960 Ian was founding Director of the Queen Elizabeth II Planetarium in Edmonton, the first planetarium to open in Canada. He later became Director of the Strasenburgh Planetarium in Rochester, NY. In the mid 1970s, Ian became the Director and General Manager of the newly opened Ontario Place complex, including its ground-breaking IMAX Theatre.

As a consultant Ian’s work has taken him all over the world. His clients have included UNICEF, CERN, the Royal Observatory Greenwich, the Griffith Observatory and the International Planetarium Society.

In Canada he has worked with science centres, planetariums and museums in eight provinces. In the words of a long-time colleague, ‘Ian’s exceptional devotion has inspired many to pursue careers in the science centre field and has raised expectations for what science centres bring to their local communities.’

Cultch, 1895 Venables Street, Vancouver

TAA Member Event announcement:

2009 June 23

TAA Annual General Meeting
and
behind-the-scenes tour of
East Vancouver’s newly refurbished Cultch
Event begins at 6 PM
1895 Venables Street, Vancouver

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22nd
TAA Canada Members
assemble a few moments before 6:00 PM
at Burrard Entrance of the
Vancouver Convention Centre
corner of Burrard Street and Canada Place
Pre-registration required (see below)

Attendance at this special event may be limited. TAA members are asked to register by e-mail to Special Events Co-Chair Ian McLennan with their name, affiliation and number of people attending (should be TAA members or prospective members). Ian will compile the list and relay it on to the hosts at the Convention Centre.

Note: Registration deadline for this tour is Tuesday, April 21st at NOON, Pacific Time.
The tour will be under the direction of Harnek Nijjar, the Centre’s manager of services — accompanied by three other tour guides. In attendance will be one of the architects from Musson Cattell Mackey.