Stop the noise pollution - preserve quiet and the quality of life in Hastings-Sunrise and Burnaby.

The PNE (Pacific National Exhibition) is planning a $70 million open-air amphitheatre that would expose residents to constant intrusive concerts - some louder than Worksafe BC safety sound levels - all year-round. Two weeks of concerts during the PNE Fair is a fun Vancouver tradition - endless concerts is something no community should tolerate. Vancouver City Council approved planning funds for this project without any apparent public consultation.

What's remarkable is that in 2012 the PNE suspended indoor concerts in the Forum due to public noise concerns. But now the current PNE Board wants to place those events in an outdoor venue and host them most of the year, according to their own plan.

However, there is clear history and evidence that is a bad idea for residents, for future city councils, and for the reputation of the PNE itself.

We ask you to support us by telling the PNE Board and Vancouver City Council to: 

1. Freeze the plans for the new amphitheatre and hold meaningful public consultation into the impact such a facility will have on quality of life for the residents of Hastings-Sunrise and North Burnaby.
2. Make the PNE more subject to Vancouver City noise by-law enforcement (experience shows that penalties are levied after events, but officers have little power to lower levels during concerts)
3. Have the PNE release an independent noise assessment study (often required in private industry) showing how increased concerts will impact the surrounding community

You can support us by signing this petition and by sending emails expressing your desire for protection from noise pollution in this Eastside community to:

Vancouver City Council: https://vancouver.ca/your-government/contact-council.aspx

OR

PNE: info@pne.ca

 

AND PLEASE NOTE: this petition is not against the usual PNE fair-time concerts that are a long and fun Vancouver tradition. The concern of residents is intrusive concerts with an extended season.

Here are some things to consider:

1. Experience shows the PNE lacks effective control over noise from concerts. On loud nights, swamped Police Call Centre staff (based across the street from the fairgrounds) admit they hear the noise - but they can do nothing about it. Next day, PNE staff apologize but admit they have little control over acts and promoters. It's noteworthy that the PNE is essentially exempt from any Vancouver City noise by-law enforcement.
2. There are many lessons to learn from years of conflict over loud concerts and festivals from BC to Montreal to Colorado. Local councils with permanent venues endlessly face years of trouble between stressed residents (who often live miles from the venue) and bass-loving concert fans who want it loud. On this point, the PNE's proposal does list some "sound mitigation" - though how well it would work is questionable. Concerts inside the thick-walled Forum were too loud yet a key selling point of the amphitheatre is its openness. 
3. Today's concert amplification technology can reach levels of 130 db - the threshold of pain. Acts using modern bass speaker systems promote volume and vibrations as a selling point - but even conventional concerts are louder than ever.
4. The Vancouver Indy event brought millions of dollars into the local economy but was stopped due to noise downtown three days a year. Why should Eastside and North Burnaby residents tolerate noise all or most of the year?
5. Finally, why not keep concerts inside the Pacific Coliseum or PNE Forum - and use the money to refurbish them? Note that the band Odesza played in the Forum in 2016 but in the 2022 calendar was outside - where sound carries. Keeping most shows indoors made sense for decades - why change that now - when concerts are louder than ever?

Summing up, putting a year-round opened-out concert venue within our community threatens to create stress and will impact quality of life. It is very concerning that the City and PNE have pushed this major taxpayer-supported scheme with no input from thousands of surrounding residents who will be impacted.

This would never be tolerated on the West Side or any other neighborhood - don't let it happen on the East Side. Preserve quiet and quality of life in Hastings-Sunrise and Burnaby.

Thank you for your support!