About the new Chinese chess boards at the Dr. Sun Yat Sen Courtyard

About the new Chinese chess boards at the Dr. Sun Yat Sen Courtyard

Over the long weekend, the courtyard of the Chinese Cultural Centre  / Dr. Sun Yat Sen Garden received a neat upgrade : permanent Chinese chess tables.

This is the work of Yule Ken Lum, coordinated by Edmund Ma.

Click through for an interview with Edmund Ma.

How did it start?
This idea came from Andy Yan about 2 years ago but the timing never worked for us to start it as it involved so many organizations. I had always kept this project in mind and discussed it when public space was the topic of discussion.  This project is an action from a policy of the DTES Local Area Plan:

12.3.3 Improve existing and explore new opportunities for community access and programming in plazas, squares, and gathering spaces, including the Canadian Pacific Railway right-of-way, Dr. Sun Yat Sen Courtyard, Carrall Street Greenway, and Blood Alley Square.

 The City of Vancouver prides itself with the amount of park space for public recreation. In Chinatown, those green spaces are limited. With this, the infrastructure was there plus a high amount of traffic comes through the courtyard and has potential for more. In San Francisco, the urban park adjacent to their Chinese Cultural Centre was packed full of people playing cards,chess, checkers, and exercising all year round.
 

 

How did Yule Ken Lum get involved?

I came to know Ken well during my days with the Chinatown Night Market and always run into him between Chinatown and Mt. Pleasant. He was one of the first people I talked about ways to engrave or paint on the template. For this project, my role was to get this approved by necessary parties and Ken came up with options, we made a choice, and I assisted him with laying down the boards. Now we just want to get the word out.

 

Who are these tables for?

I think anyone and everyone should come play outdoors until the rain comes. Initially I thought this would be great for seniors but with the success of Hot + Noisy nights, clearly, there is no ideal target age demographic. I hope everyone and all ages will come play.


Will chess pieces be available?

This is being ironed out but speaking with other community leaders in Seattle and San Francisco Chinatowns, once publicized, people will bring their own pieces for games with friends and neighbours.

This project was made possible with the support from :
Dr Sun Yet San Classical Chinese Gardens,
Chinese Cultural Centre, Vancouver Parks Board
and special thanks to Roberta Robertson and Adonia Towe with the Vancouver Foundation Neighbourhood Grants team.

 

Edmund Ma is a Community Connector in DTES (Chinatown)

Director of Mah Athletic Association
Chinatown Historic Area Planning Committee member

Community Economic Development Strategic Action Committee member
Vancouver Chinatown Revitalization Committee member