Site of Riley Park Farmers Market soon to be home of permanent, multi-use pavilion

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      Riley Park, the site of one of Vancouver Farmers Markets’ most well attended events, is getting an upgrade in the form of a permanent, multi-use pavilion.

      Approved by the Vancouver Park Board in September 2017, the open-air, $1.8-million structure will offer a covered space and access to power and water at the Riley Park Farmers Market, which takes place at its namesake at Ontario Street and East 30th Avenue during the summer and outside neighbouring Nat Bailey Stadium during the winter.

      Once complete, the pavilion will house up to 30 vendor stalls on market days, shielding merchants and visitors alike from the elements and overall improving the farmers’ market experience. The building will also be employed for other forms of community-based programming.

      The design process for the pavilion is slated to be complete this year, with construction happening from 2019 to 2020.

      “We operate several of our farmers markets at Park Board sites and see ourselves as an integral partner in helping them deliver on the Local Food Action Plan,” said Tara McDonald, VFM’s executive director, in a media release. “The Riley Park pavilion is a great step forward in achieving the permanence and stability we need to keep bringing local, sustainably grown food to the people of Vancouver long into the future.”

      Offering a platform to 180 small-scale farmers and producers, the Riley Park Farmers Market attracts an estimated 80,000 attendees every year. The event also serves as a host venue for the Farmers Market Nutrition Coupon Program, which provides farmers’ market coupons to low-income families in Vancouver.

      The Riley Park Farmers Market is open every Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Riley Park until October 27. Check out VFM’s full spring/summer season schedule below.

      Riley Park Farmers Market
      Every Saturday until October 27
      From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at East 30th Avenue and Ontario Street

      Trout Lake Farmers Market
      Every Saturday until October 20
      From 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Lakewood Drive and East 13th Avenue

      Kitsilano Farmers Market
      Every Sunday until October 21
      From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at West 10th Avenue and Larch Street

      West End Farmers Market
      Every Saturdays (May 26 to October 21)
      From 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 1100 Comox Street

      Mount Pleasant Farmers Market
      Every Sunday (May 27 to October 7)
      From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at East 8th Avenue and Guelph Street

      Main St. Station Farmers Market
      Every Wednesday (June 6 to October 3)
      From 2 to 6 p.m. at 1100 Station Street

      Follow Lucy Lau on Twitter @lucylau.

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