By Bethany Lindsay
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Vancouver is set to become one of a handful of North American cities to give residents a way to borrow sports equipment at no charge from self-serve stations in public parks and recreational facilities.
Earlier this month, the city posted a notice of intent to contract for the pilot program, based on a model launched in nearby Surrey, B.C., this summer. Surrey’s program — the continent’s first — offers everything from soccer balls and basketballs to table tennis sets and jump ropes at 30 locations.
Vancouver park board commissioners voted unanimously on Oct. 7 to replicate that model.
“The board has long prioritized accessibility, equity, and inclusion, delivering programs that reduce financial barriers to recreation, including the Leisure Access Program for low-income residents,” the successful motion reads.
“Despite these efforts, many Vancouver residents still face barriers to participation in sport and physical activity, including the cost and storage of equipment.”
According to Statistics Canada, about half of Canadians of all ages participate in sports, but cost is a leading barrier for those who don’t play — particularly for people who belong to racialized groups. Some surveys suggest cost has only become even more of an obstacle to participation in the years since the COVID-19 pandemic.
Vancouver’s plan is to follow Surrey’s lead and work with the Swiss company Equip Sport to operate the lending stations, with funding from Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities.
Equip Sport already runs more than 500 lending stations across Europe. Users can access the equipment using an app that opens a vending machine-style box.
On this side of the Atlantic Ocean, the City of Ottawa has already followed Surrey’s lead, launching a pilot program in September for Equip Sport lending stations in 50 parks.
Montreal also offers equipment lending services in some parks, with access by library or recreation card, while Toronto has a free mobile skate-lending library that moves between city ice rinks throughout the winter.
Vancouver’s pilot program is scheduled to run for a year, but the park board told the IJF that further details, including the timing of the rollout, have yet to be finalized.
Add new comment