Comments on: The Second English Bay Pier

By: Bruce Kaduhr

Bruce Kaduhr — Wed, 08 Jan 2025 17:03:32 +0000

In reply to Barb J.. I spent many a full day and early evening at English bay swimming and sun bathing there in the early fiftys also kits beach. Born in van 1935

By: Barb J.

Barb J. — Mon, 02 Oct 2023 18:53:20 +0000

In reply to The Imperial Roller Skating Rink and Other Missing Structures of Beach Avenue | Eve Lazarus. The Winter Garden was managed (the City Dir. for 1939 shows) by two Schubergs, John E. and his father John A. of Heather St., Vancouver. J.A. was a pioneer film exhibitor (Electric Theatre, 1902-3; Rex and others 1913-20) who made a pile when he sold out to the Allen chain, but kept busy, managing the Empress (1923-7) and then this roller rink with his son.

By: Helgi Leesment

Helgi Leesment — Mon, 01 Jun 2020 06:48:04 +0000

I used to walk along English Bay beach in the mid-1950’s, in my childhood. I didn’t know anything about musical theatre but found out one day when walking under the pier during low tide. There was a lot of stomping going on above me. Turns out it was TUTS (Theatre Under the Stars) rehearsing the grand finale of ‘Oklahoma’. Even though we had little money for luxuries like theatre tickets, our whole family went to see the performance of ‘Oklahoma’ later that summer. I felt especially thrilled to hear and see on stage what I had previously heard high above me. Much later, in my childish viewpoint, I was disappointed to see the pier gone; it had somehow seemed a magical place and should have remained there forever. I still envision the pier as a grand rehearsal space whenever I visit the West End.

By: george sadler

george sadler — Sun, 31 May 2020 16:23:30 +0000

I was just asking why the per was taken down at our weekly “Social Distance Happy Hour” at Stanley Park. Everyone had no idea what I was talking about..and they were long term Westenders. It seems to me to be a no brainer to have one like San Fran, LA, White Rock to name a few. I wish I could post a few pics here that I have of people enjoying the pier back in the day.

By: Loretta Houben

Loretta Houben — Sat, 30 May 2020 20:21:53 +0000

Very interesting story, Eve! Thanks for the info. I do enjoy your blog.

By: Brad Williams

Brad Williams — Sat, 30 May 2020 18:15:35 +0000

Amazing history of Vancouver from a very long time ago. My mother loved the thirties and early forties before getting married. She would have remembered the early parades and how it was an adventure to go downtown from the North Shore in those days. To dance and meet young men!

By: Gord

Gord — Sat, 30 May 2020 17:23:30 +0000

Thanks for bringing the Winter Garden to the blog. My Grandad and Nana used tell us about going out there to dance when they were courting. Grandad was a friend of Dal Richards as they had both been in the Kits Boys Band for a good many years so they would go out to hear him and the band. Must have been a bit painful for Grandad as he was a committed classical music lover and not a swing jazz fan.