Parks advocate Brent Granby is suggesting a community garden be put on the new roof that will be built for the West End Community Centre this summer.

A long-time resident of Vancouver’s West End, Granby recalled that the roof was actually designed and used as public space in previous years.

According to the former president of the West End Residents Association, there used to be a basketball court and a tennis court at the top of the centre located at 870 Denman Street.

“And now, it’s just completely empty,” Granby told the Straight today (May 13).

On Monday (May 16), Granby will address the Vancouver park board when it takes up a staff report regarding the award of a contract to build a new roof for the centre.

“I just want to ensure that the possibility goes up there,” he said. “There is no mention of the possibility of a new garden in the staff report.”

Granby suggests an “inter-generational garden” that will connect youth with older generations.

According to the staff report, the work is scheduled to begin in July. The new roof will be completed in August.

Staff recommends that the contract be awarded to Mack Kirk Roofing and Sheet Metal Ltd. for $512,521.30 plus HST.