Yoga celebration will shut down Burrard Bridge on summer solstice

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      I've been hearing rumours of this for a while, but today, Premier Christy Clark is expected to confirm that the Burrard Bridge will be shut down for a massive yoga celebration.

      It will take place on June 21, which happens to be International Day of Yoga. The summer solstice occurs that day at 9:38 a.m., more than an hour after the event is scheduled to begin.

      All five vehicle lanes will be shut down from 4 a.m. to 11 a.m. On the south end of the Burrard Bridge sits the head office of lululemon athletica, which happens to be one of the world's largest retailers of yogawear.

      Lululemon founder Chip Wilson is no longer on the company's board of directors and he sold half his shares last year to Advent International for $845 million.

      But it's hard to believe that he hasn't played a role in arranging for this event to be held, given his friendship with the premier and his rapport with the ruling Vision Vancouver over the years.

      Wilson was full of praise for the premier when she showed up at the 2012 announcement of the new $36-million Chip and Shannon Wilson School of Design at Kwantlen Polytechnic University.

      "In this day and age when everyone is working on a political agenda six months out, it's very hard to look that far in the future," he said. "I applaud Christy Clark and her government for being bold."

      Clark returned the compliments when it came her time to speak.

      MLA John Yap, Chip Wilson, and Christy Clark donned lululemon attire when they visited Kwantlen Polytechnic University in 2012.
      Charlie Smith

      The Wilsons and lululemon contributed $12 million to the school with the remainder coming from the B.C. government and KPU.

      Before the 2014 civic election, he donated $75,000 to Vision Vancouver individually and through one of his companies. Wilson, one of his companies, and lululemon also contributed $60,000 to the B.C. Liberals' successful reelection campaign in 2013.

      Meanwhile, Wilson's son JJ and wife Shannon have launched a technical-wear company called Kit & Ace with a growing number of stores across North America.

      The Burrard Bridge is going to be closed on June 21.
      Stephen Hui
      Do you want to do the downward dog on hot pavement? You'll get your chance.

      Comments

      30 Comments

      Hah

      Jun 5, 2015 at 12:00pm

      Another stoopid vancouver idea

      okay

      Jun 5, 2015 at 1:21pm

      What does the bridge have to do with yoga?
      Is it taking place on the bridge?
      Weird.

      Robbo

      Jun 5, 2015 at 1:54pm

      This city is very quickly becoming a total fucking joke.

      Yogi

      Jun 5, 2015 at 2:10pm

      Um, Vancouver does have some PARKS this could take place in!

      ursa minor

      Jun 5, 2015 at 3:12pm

      The bridge has to be shut down for lulosermon product placement and princess premier photo ops...

      what?

      Jun 5, 2015 at 3:15pm

      Is this really the best location they could come up with?

      Let's see... park, beach, public square / plaza, Granville Street... I've got it! Let's shut down one of the city's major bridges and do it there!

      What the hell is going on?

      Long-time Yoga Practitioner

      Jun 5, 2015 at 3:56pm

      This is the dumbest Vision Vancouver approval to date.
      If you are a fellow practitioner, please stay off the roads, go to the Park, and let the City function.
      Namaste, you dumb-asses.

      dumbest...

      Jun 5, 2015 at 4:22pm

      idea... ever

      Seriously?!?

      Jun 5, 2015 at 7:39pm

      The yoga trend has been something to behold and I eagerly await the next "fashion" that announces the next stampede. Interesting how Wilson donated more to Vision, but he has profited from policies driven through Robertson and the Social Justice League.

      well

      Jun 6, 2015 at 12:40am

      have you ever worked for a boss who isn't really qualified for the job? somebody with limited education and no real relevant experience. the kind of boss who thinks up high school level fluff to try and pass off as leadership... yeah. then it makes sense.