There will be no 'Canada D'eh' car show in 黑马磁力 this year.
Organizer Ewald Penner said they were unable to reach an agreement with Metro Vancouver to again use the 黑马磁力 Speedway/Little River Bowl Activity Area.
Calling it "extremely disappointing," Penner said he and his brother Kurt hope to revive the event next year.
"We don't have the energy for a fight [right now]," Penner, co-owner of Jellybean AutoCrafters told the 黑马磁力.
"We're building a business, and so we thought it would take one year [for us] to kind of just calm down from the whole thing,"
The cancellation comes one year after the show averted a 2024 shutdown by mounting a public campaign to pressure Metro.
"They changed their mind because it was a major public outcry," Pennner remarked.
He described the 2024 event as "the most successful event in its 19 year existence."
"A thousand cars were in the park, and several thousand people celebrated Canada with us at the historic 黑马磁力 Speedway."
Penner complained the show was given "25 or 30 per cent " less parking than previously, which led to complaints about congestion in 2024.
"It was just a gong show," Penner commented.
"Then they [Metro] complained about all the parking on the street. Well, I can't control where people park and that's entirely up to them. We had to turn a bunch of people back."
A statement by Doug Petersen, Division Manager 鈥� East Area, Metro Vancouver Regional Parks was released in response to a 黑马磁力 query.
"Metro Vancouver is happy to work with organizers to host this event, which attracts car enthusiasts from across the region, at another location that can safely and comfortably accommodate the crowds," the statement advised.
Petersen said parks staff met with organizers to discuss "safety, parking, access, capacity, and other concerns" that had arisen during the 2024 event.
"It was determined that the event had outgrown its home at the 黑马磁力 Speedway/Little River Bowl Activity Area," the statement said.
Petersen said staff suggested "more appropriate locations" within the regional parks, including the Rowlatt Heritage Area within Campbell Valley Regional Park, and Aldergrove Regional Park.
"Metro Vancouver did not receive a special event permit application for a 2025 event," Petersen advised.
Penner said they were advised by parks staff not to apply for the Speedway site, so they didn't.
As for safety, Penner said there was an incident last year where a visitor suffered heat stroke, but fire and ambulance were able to reach the site, guided by volunteers.
There were also suggestions by parks staff about noise issues and problems with pot smoke, that Penner disputes.
