City staff were busy at the building Thursday morning, installing a “FIFA viewing parties” poster and arranging the space for the screenings. The field house is expected to function as an unlikely viewing venue during the international tournament, alongside its usual services. But for people who spend much of their time in the park, the offering has drawn little attention. “Most of us are waiting for the World Cup to be over and done with so we can go back to our regular lives,” said
Shawn Hefele, who stood with friends in the park Thursday morning. “An event like FIFA doesn’t feel inviting for people like us; it would have really been nice if the city sent some of that money back into the neighbourhood for something like better housing.” One of his friends, who goes by “Tuner,” is homeless and carries all of his belongings on a large cart, including his cat, Ursa Major, who was fast asleep on a small cat tower under a wool blanket. Around them,
other locals were spread out on the park’s grass and benches, some drinking coffee offered at the field house, others smoking drugs.
Vancouver, homeless, World Cup, FIFA viewing parties, park field house, housing
So they put up FIFA posters instead of fixing stuff? Wild.
I mean I get it’s the World Cup but if people are homeless and just trying to survive, how is this supposed to help anyone? Feels like the city’s priorities are backwards. Also why are they letting people smoke/drug right next to it, like nobody cares.
Wait so they’re screening FIFA matches in a park building while folks are stuck waiting for housing?? I thought FIFA paid for it? Like shouldn’t FIFA or the league be the one doing the money part. Or is the city just using homeless people as a background for “community events” or what.
Honestly none of this surprises me. Vancouver acts like doing a viewing party is “community” but my cousin said they can’t even get basic help fast enough. If they had that money, give it to actual shelter/housing, not posters and chairs. Also the part about the guy’s cat being there… like okay yeah sweet cat but still, why is this even happening in the same space.