The MASEV Action-Sports Expo, scheduled for Oct. 27 and 28 at B.C. Place Stadium, has been postponed until spring of 2002. The organizers attributed the delay to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks and the subsequent military campaign in Afghanistan.
"Few have been immune from the events that are gripping the world and MASEV Inc. believes Vancouver will understand this difficult decision during these uncertain times," read the press release that announced the expo’s delay.
However, postponement of the action sports expo opened the door for the Vancouver Ski and Snowboard Foundation’s swap.
The swap, which has been held annually for the past 35 years, was scheduled for the Seaforth Armouries Oct. 19-21. But because of the escalating situation in Afghanistan, the Department of National Defense decided to close the armoury to non-military personnel. That left the VSSF scrambling for a new location for the swap.
B.C. Pavilion Corporation made B.C. Place Stadium available for the foundation’s ski and snowboard swap, which will now take place Oct. 26-28.
"We are absolutely thrilled that PavCo’s B.C. Place Stadium event organizers have worked so hard with us to make this happen," said Lee Parsons, chair of the VSSF. "We have 7,500 pieces of equipment and we’re really geared up for a great kick-off to the winter season."
The VSSF swap is a major fund-raiser for junior snow sports in B.C. and has raised more than $1 million over its 36-year history. The swap will be open 4-10 p.m. on Oct. 26, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Oct. 27, and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Oct. 28. Admission will be by donation.
Meanwhile, the MASEV Action-Sports Expo was to feature skiing and snowboarding in an indoor jib park, the Richie Schley Invitational Bikercross, a freestyle motocross jumping exhibition and BMX and skateboard demos on Canada’s largest vert ramp.
Some of the biggest names in extreme sports, including Tony Hawk, Richie Schley, Kevin Sansalone and Rex Thomas were booked for the expo, as were a number of musical acts.
"The postponement is unfortunate, but the overwhelming response to the event that we’ve received from the action sports industry, media, and the public was the catalyst for us to pursue a new date in spring 2002," says Mark Taylor, director of event properties for MASEV Communications.
Along with an apology to fans, MASEV will provide refunds at Ticketmaster outlets. Tickets purchased through the telephone and Internet may be refunded only at the Ticketmaster head office on Hornby Street, Vancouver. Refunds will be available until Nov. 9.
The spring date will be announced on the event Web site at www.masev.com.
