Dragon Boat West

News came out today saying that the Plaza of Nations could end up being no more unless the owners fix a problem with it that has been found. The City of Vancouver has issued a warning to the owners that they have to either fix the identified problems or tear it down. The Taiwanese Festival uses the Plaza of Nations and it may have to do what Alcan has done the last few years and find a different venue to hold their races. Check the following for more info:
Uncertain future for Plaza of Nations as glass roof deemed unsafe
http://www.news1130.com/news/local/article.jsp?content=20061123_141805_1576&body_header_img=/images/pageHdrs/hdr-680news.gif&adZone=news

I don't think the Taiwanese Cultural Festival is at all in any jeopardy.  But thank you for sounding the "Chicken Little" alarm.   

The Taiwanese Cultural Festival is very well run.  It has received "Best Cultural Festival" awards for many years.  Executive Director Charlie Wu is also very astute, and you can bet he will be using his many connections to ensure that the Taiwanese Cultural Festival continues.   Charlie was listed in the Vancouver Sun's list of 100 Influential Chinese Canadians back on October 21st.  It was Charlie that made the proposals to the Taiwanese Economic and Cultural Office to donate Taiwanese dragon boats to the City of Vancouver, after I then DBA talked with him about the idea.

For 2006, TCF used both the Roundhouse Community Centre and the Plaza of Nations - because BC Enterprise Hall is now Edgewater Casino.  In past years, BC Enterprise Hall was great for the Alcan Dragon Boat Festival and the TCF... but this is what happens when private enterprise takes over the "Expo Legacies."

Maybe TCF will follow ADBF's example and book into Science World.  I am sure that and exhibit about Taiwanese "Science and Achievements" would be very sponsorable by the Taiwanese Economic and Cultural Office (the unofficial Taiwanese consulate in Vancouver).

I cannot give you any inside info, as I am no longer on the DBA, but know that TCF and the TECO have invested too much in both the festival and bringing Taiwanese Dragon Boats to Vancouver, NOT to have a Vancouver Taiwanese Dragon Boat Race.