BURST
The Labour Day long weekend is upon us — the last chance for beaches and camping, barbecues and family trips before school starts.
Labour Day, always celebrated on the first Monday of September, is meant to honour the achievement of Canada’s labour movement. For many, it is also the informal start of fall and back-to-school, and many families use it to do some last-minute shopping or cram in more family-friendly activities at a local attraction or community centre.
Some businesses will be closed to give workers the time off, but many others will stay open. Here’s what’s open and closed in Metro Vancouver over the Labour Day long weekend:
Shopping
For some last-minute back-to-school shopping, Metro Vancouver malls are open on the long weekend, although some are observing shortened hours.
These malls are open on B.C. Day, Aug. 4, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.:
• Pacific Centre, Vancouver
• Richmond Centre
• Park Royal, West Vancouver
• The Amazing Brentwood, Burnaby
• Metropolis at Metrotown, Burnaby
• Guildford Town Centre, Surrey
• Tsawwassen Mills, Delta
The McArthurGlen Designer Outlets mall near Vancouver International Airport will be open 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Grocery stores and pharmacies are generally open on the Canada Day long weekend. Costco warehouses will be closed.
Attractions
For those with out-of-town guests or people looking to enjoy the last holiday weekend before fall weather sets in, most attractions around town are up and running.
Science World will be open its usual 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday, with early 9:30 a.m. entry for members.
In Kits Point, both the Museum of Vancouver and the Vancouver Maritime Museum will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., while the H.R. MacMillan Space Centre will be open 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
In downtown Vancouver, the Vancouver Art Gallery is welcoming visitors during its usual 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. hours, while Flyover Canada near Canada Place will be operating 9:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
In Stanley Park, the Vancouver Aquarium will be open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Recreation
Most Vancouver community centres will be closed on Labour Day, but about a half dozen plan to stay open:
• False Creek: 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
• Hastings: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Kerrisdale: 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• Killarney 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Mount Pleasant: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Roundhouse: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Sunset: 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Note that five community centres will be closed the entire Labour Day long weekend: Douglas Park, Marpole-Oakridge, Renfrew Park, Thunderbird and West Point Grey.
About half fitness centres across the city will be closed. Ice rinks and the city’s golf courses — Fraserview, Langara and McCleery — will be open.
Most pools are going to be staying open. The exceptions are Kensington pool, which will be closed on Labour Day Monday, but open on Saturday and Sunday. Kerrisdale pool and Vancouver Aquatic Centre are closed on the long weekend, from Saturday to Monday.
Before you head out, visit vancouver.ca for hours at specific locations.
For libraries, all except Carnegie Branch in the Downtown Eastside will be closed on Sept. 2.
For a look at recreational facilities in Surrey, including community centres and pools, check out Surrey’s holiday hours here .
Food and drink
Most restaurants and coffee shops, especially large chains, will stay open on the long weekend. Mom-and-pop restaurants and smaller cafés might close on the holiday Monday, so double check before heading out.
TransLink
TransLink buses, SkyTrain and SeaBus will be running on holiday schedules on B.C. Day. The West Coast Express will not operate. Holiday fares will be in effect, so commuters only need a one-zone fare to travel across all zones throughout the long weekend.
Government offices
Vancouver city hall will be closed for the long weekend, reopening on Tuesday, Sept. 2 , at 8:30 a.m. Government offices, including Service Canada, passport offices and ICBC locations, also close Monday and reopen on Tuesday.
Canada Post will not be collecting or delivering mail on Monday. Banks will also be closed.
Most B.C. Liquor Stores in Metro Vancouver will be open on Monday with shortened hours of 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.