Introduction:
Since the inaugural race of the Molson Indy Vancouver in 1990, the temporary
street course has been located at the former EXPO '86 fair grounds at False
Creek. However, in recent years this area has been viewed as a prime
piece of real estate, and development pressures have forced the promoter
(Molstar Sports and Entertainment) to consider relocating the race to another
area or finding a location at which a permanent track can be constructed.
One alternative location pursued by Molstar was to take over the Hastings
Park area after the lease for the PNE has expired, however this was unpopular
with local residents and those who wished to see the area converted into
green space.
Despite generating an approximated $20 million of economic activity over
the Labour Day weekend and providing Vancouver with international television
exposure (from broadcasts into approximately 100 million homes and 180
countries), the Indy race still faces strong opposition in the form developers
and the local community. Proposed construction developments for residential
condos and apartments in the North Shore of False Creek would result in
the loss of the largest and most profitable grandstand, situated at the
first hairpin turn of the track, and the "hospitality" area (which houses
the tents for upscale package suites which resemble those of luxury boxes
in local sports stadiums). Members of the local community have also
grown impatient with the disruption that comes along every Labour Day weekend
in the form of noise, blocked access to some local streets and businesses
and large crowds.
The goal of this project, through a spatial analysis in the GIS program
Idrisi, is to find a suitable location to place a permanent track for the
Vancouver Molson Indy which will not infringe on developing areas yet will
still be easily accessible to the public and maintain the "downtown" feel
that the current track provides. Special consideration will be given
to such factors as: