Welcome to Athletes Village Housing Co-operative, your co-op home located in the heart of The Village in beautiful Southeast False Creek.

This guide provides information to new members—from background about the surrounding neighbourhood to details on practical matters concerning your unit and Co-op operations.

The guide is divided into five parts:

• Part One: Guide for New Members. This section offers general information about practical matters and summarizes some of the Co-op’s key policies.
• Part Two: Maintenance Guide. This section includes a brief maintenance guide with tips on how you can care for your unit, and help to keep the Co-op buildings in good condition.
• Part Three: Co-op Policies and Procedures. This section provides details on how the Co-op operates, and gives members information on their responsibilities to the Co-op and each other.
• Part Four: Forms. This section includes forms for use when requesting a parking space, adding a pet to a household, updating contact information, submitting a work order for maintenance, etc.).
• Part Five: Co-op Governing Documents. This section includes the Co-op Rules and the Occupancy Agreement (Schedule A of the Co-op Rules filed with the Registrar of Companies). You will want to refer to these documents often. 

The Co-op was incorporated under the provincial Cooperative Association Act on March 8, 2011. Its official name is “First Avenue Athletes Village Housing Co-operative”. Throughout the Member Handbook you may also see it referred to as “the Co-op”, FAAVHC and Athletes Village Housing Co-op.

The building was constructed under the City of Vancouver’s Southeast False Creek Official Development Plan, and briefly served as residences for athletes during the 2010 Winter Olympic Games. It is part of a model development aiming to achieve a high level of environmental sustainability, and to meet the needs of a diverse resident base. The Co-op itself is a LEED™ Gold-certified building and offers its members a mix of market-rate and below-market rate housing. It is part of the “affordable housing legacy” coming out of the Olympic Games.

The Co-op is the result of a unique operator agreement with the City of Vancouver and the Co-operative Housing Federation of BC (CHF BC). The agreement includes a 60-year lease of City-owned land. From incorporation until the first Annual General Meeting held April 4, 2012, the Athletes Village Co-op Board 6 of Directors was comprised of directors from the CHF BC board. The Co-op maintains close ties to CHF BC. The operating agreement includes a provision that the Co-op shall continue to be a member of both CHF BC and the Cooperative Housing Federation of Canada.

The Co-op is bordered on the north by Walter Hardwick Avenue. Walter Hardwick was a distinguished community leader for many decades and a recipient of the Order of British Columbia. Hardwick is best known for his involvement in civic affairs and a long and distinguished academic career. The scope of his interests included regional, municipal, provincial and international work. Hardwick is recognized for his significant contribution in shaping the City and metropolitan region of Vancouver, in part, by the street named after him.

Athletes Village Housing Co-op is a five-storey, 84-suite building designed by Gomberoff Bell Lyon Architects Group Inc. It includes 1-bedroom, 2-bedroom and 3-bedroom apartments (7, 60 and 17 units respectively). Four of the one-bedroom apartments are designated as wheelchair-accessible suites.

The Co-op’s common areas include the lobby waiting area; two roof-top gardens (on the 5th floor of the north and south wings of the building); a shared laundry room; and the Common Room (the “Lounge”, which also includes a full kitchen). There’s also a central courtyard area that houses a children’s playground

The Co-op is a LEED™ Gold-certified building, designed to meet some of the highest standards of sustainability.

Some of its features include:

• Green roofs with stormwater catchment. Water that falls on the roofs is used for gardens, waterscapes and apartment toilets.
• Energy-efficient appliances. Co-op stoves and fridges are labelled EnergyStar compliant.
• Passive solar building design that uses natural light, natural ventilation, external insulation and triple-pane windows to reduce energy use and improve comfort.
• Dual-flush, water-efficient toilets.
• The incorporation of energy monitoring technology that provides the members in each suite the ability to monitor their own energy and water consumption.

In addition to its other “green” credentials, the Co-op’s design conforms to the SAFERhome standards (SAFER is an acronym for Sustainable – Automated – Friendly – Environmental – Recycling).

As a member of FAAVHC, you’ll be proud to be a steward of the Co-op and the environment.

First Avenue Athletes Village Housing Co-operative Mission & Values

Our Mission 

The First Avenue Athletes Village Housing Co-operative provides affordable housing while cultivating a caring, respectful, and inclusive community that grows together.

Our Values

1. Sustainability

2. Integrity    

3. Teamwork

4. Security

5. Democracy

6. Stewardship

Our Values in Action

We took the Values in Action drafted by Members at the November meeting and refined them. We did this by: 1) using as much of the language and values generated in Member meetings as possible 2) combining language from values that were cut from the list, but seemed either important enough or complex enough that they should still be mentioned, and 3) aiming for action-able things we can weave into life at the co-op.

We value sustainability and therefore we…

• Plan for our resilient economic, environmental, and social future.

• Continue to implement innovative solutions and reduce our ecological footprint, especially when making decisions about changes to our building or community.

We value integrity and therefore we…

• Aim for honest and fair practices by members, community, board, and our management company

• Practice sharing information from board meetings with all members and invite everyone to participate in member meetings, education sessions, and events.

• Live our six key values and enact our mission through everything we do as a cooperative

We value teamwork and therefore we…

• Listen to and consider the needs and points of view of members, the board, and our management company.

• Volunteer our time and share our unique skills and interests.

• Take care of each other and our building.

We value security and therefore we…

• Ensure our housing charges are affordable and fair for all members while securing the co-op's future.

• Support members in good standing to age in place and weather other changes in life.

• Work actively to keep our building and surrounding neighborhood safe.

We value democracy and therefore we…

• Encourage an informed and engaged membership to actively participate in decisions for our building.

• Maintain ongoing communications between members, board and management to promote transparency and facilitate understanding and collaboration.

We value stewardship and therefore we...

• Care for our building, neighbourhood, and planet, and are aware of how we use our communal and natural resources.

• Invest in and cultivate growth with people in other buildings, empowering all voices to strengthen our neighbourhood’s growth and evolution now and in the future.

The Co-op aside, the Village community includes residential condominiums and rental buildings.

Amenities in the immediate vicinity currently include retail stores (Terra Breads, TD Canada Trust, Legacy Liquor Store, Urban Fare, London Drugs, Tap and Barrel, Subway, Village Cleaners and Bone and Bowl), a medical and dental clinic, and a community centre, Creekside Community Recreation Centre. More information about Creekside is available through its website (http://creeksidecentre.ca)

The Co-op is close to additional shopping and restaurant opportunities. There’s a library nearby (at the intersection of Main and Kingsway) and the public market on Granville Island is also within walking distance. Hinge Park, the closest green space, is located just to the west of Columbia Street.

The Village has been designed to blend living spaces with landscapes. You’ll connect with neighbours and make new friends as you enjoy the outdoor benches, the local community gardens, play areas, and walking paths – including the False Creek sea wall.

The Village is well connected to public transportation services. The Co-op sits midway between the Main Street/Science World SkyTrain Station (Expo Line and Millennium Line) and the Olympic Village SkyTrain Station (Canada Line). City buses are also close at hand and the Aquabus and Granville Island Ferry Companies both offer service between the north and south sides of False Creek.

The Pacific Central Station only blocks away on Station Street. It serves as the terminus station for both VIA and Amtrack rail services, as well as several intercity bus lines.

A new elementary school is part of the longer-term plan for The Village neighbourhood, but until it is constructed, Co-op residents are in the Simon Fraser Elementary School catchment area (the school is located at 100 West 15th Avenue). The Co-op is also in the Vancouver School Board catchment area for Eric Hamber Secondary (5025 Willow Street).

French immersion programs are offered at L’Ecole Bilingue Elementary (Kindergarten-Grade 7), General Gordon Elementary (Grades 6-7) and at Kitsilano Secondary School (Grades 8-12).

Please check with the Vancouver School Board for the most current information about catchment area borders.

Two of the suites within the Co-op (Units #162 and #163) are designed to accommodate family daycare providers. There is additional daycare in the neighbourhood community centre.

Contact the Co-op Coordinator for current phone numbers of the Co-op daycare providers if you want more information about their services.

Access

Each unit will receive 2 access fobs regardless of the number of residents. Additional fobs are available upon request and are subject to a deposit of $20 each. Any lost or misplaced fobs must be reported to the Co-op. Upon termination of membership, all fobs must be returned (the cost of replacing any lost or damaged fobs will be deducted from the member share payment). See the Keys and Locks Policy.

Alterations

Members must obtain approval from the Co-op before undertaking any unit alterations. Please see the Alterations Policy.

Appliances

Each unit comes with an energy-efficient stove and fridge. Please review the appliance manuals to learn more about how the appliances work.

Barbecues (BBQs)

Members may keep and use electric or propane barbeques on their patios and balconies (see Balconies Policy and the Barbecues Policy for more details). Members may also use electric or propane barbeques on the roof gardens according to the terms set out in the Roof Garden Policy. Fuel for barbeques stored outside must be kept out of direct sunlight.

Bathroom Fans

The bathroom fans are designed to run 24 hours a day and help control humidity in the units. These fans must not be turned off. Their operation is in keeping with the building design and forthcoming building code changes to ensure good indoor air quality and control of humidity. Controlling humidity is important to avoid excess condensation on windows and the growth of mould.

Bike and Scooter Storage

There are five (5) rooms available for bicycle storage in the underground parking area beneath 151 West 1st Avenue: P-21, P-22, P-24, P-31 and P-32. At the present time, bike parking is assigned to members and managed by the Bike Committee. Only bicycles and bicycle-related items may be stored in the bicycle lock-up rooms. For lock-up room locations please look at the schematic included in the Parking section.

If you require space to store a scooter (to be used as an accessibility vehicle) and are not already renting a parking space, please contact the Co-op office.

Members should ensure that any items of transport including, but not limited to bicycles, trailers, strollers, skateboards and wheelchairs are not excessively dirty or muddy if taken through the lobby, hallway and on elevators.

Common Areas

The Co-op lobby and roof gardens are beautiful. Please enjoy them. Living in a co-op is about being a good neighbour.

Please be considerate of other members. Between 9 pm and 8 am Co-op members and their guests shall avoid creating undue noise in common areas. See the Common Areas policies.

Composting

Co-op compost facilities are currently limited to a single compost bin on the south-facing roof garden. It is available for the use of gardeners only. Members may dispose of otherwise compostable materials as regular waste (see below) until composting facilities are further developed.

The Co-op will, in the future, develop procedures to allow Co-op members to divert compostable material from the regular waste stream.

Co-op Coordinator

The Co-op office is located off the Common Room in the building’s east wing. In general, it is staffed by a Co-op Coordinator three days a week (Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday). You may reach the office by phone at 604-873-1066, by fax at 604-873-1033, or via email at info@athletesvillagecoop.com.

Please note that the office is closed between Christmas and the New Year.

Emergency Services

COHO Maintenance Services provides the Coop with regular maintenance services and some emergency services. The Coop’s on-site Management Coordinator – Dee Chundunsing – arranges maintenance for the Coop. For regular maintenance matters, place a work order clicking here, or deliver a written work order to the Coop office. If there is an emergency outside regular working hours, members should call the 24-hour hotline (1-877-651-8301). See Emergency Procedure and Forms (for a quick reference guide).

Exterior Modifications and Additions

Please see the Balcony Policy and the Alternations Policy for more information. Satellite dishes or the attachment of any objects to the railing systems of balconies is not permitted.

Fire

If a fire alarm rings at the Co-op, a monitoring company calls the Fire Department, and then COHO Maintenance Services. Members should exit the building using the stairs, not the elevator, and gather outside. There are plans by the elevator that show the fire evacuation routes. Members should familiarize themselves with the exit routes.

Furniture

The Co-op strongly recommends using floor protectors on the bottom of sofas, chairs and other items of furniture to reduce the chance of sound transfer between suites, and to protect floor surfaces. Also see the information sheet, Floor Protection and Maintenance, in the Maintenance section.

Garage Access / Garage Remotes

Regardless of whether a member household rents a parking space, each adult resident (and age appropriate child) of the Co-op may receive a garage remote without charge to permit ready access to the underground parking garage and its bicycle storage rooms. The Co-op encourages members to ensure the security gates close behind them when members or guests enter or exit the building.

Members should not keep garage remotes in their vehicles. If even one remote is stolen, all the other transmitters might need to be reprogrammed. Please be careful with the garage remotes. Lost or misplaced transmitters must be reported to COHO Repair Services. There is a replacement fee of $60 for lost or member-damaged garage remotes.

Upon termination of membership, parking transmitters must be returned to the Co-op. Replacement costs (if any) will be deducted from the unit share payment.

Heating System & Thermostats

All units have capillary mats located in their ceilings. The hot water that circulates through the mats provides a gentle, energy-efficient radiant heating system. Members must not pierce their ceilings, or attach anything to them. Compromising the ceiling could result in flooding or serious damage.

Radiant heating systems do not offer the instant blast of heat that you might find with a forced air systems. Take some time to learn about the non-numerical thermostats used to control the system. (The thermostats have guide marks, but do not show specific temperature values.) See the Heating and Thermostats Information sheet from CRS.

Housing Charges

The Directors of the Co-op periodically set the monthly housing charges. These charges are reviewed annually and are subject to guidelines that are part of the Operator Agreement with the City of Vancouver. Revenue from housing charges is used for operating purposes including: payment of Co-op taxes; insurance; maintenance and management costs; and funding contingency and capital reserves.

Housing Standards

The Co-op has guidelines to determine the appropriate unit size for a member household, taking into account the number of people in the household, and the household composition. For instance, the guide states that:

• there should be no fewer than one and no more than two persons per bedroom;
• spouses and couples may share a bedroom;
• parents do not share a bedroom with their children;
• dependents aged 18 or over do not share a bedroom; and;
• dependents of the opposite sex age five or over do not share a bedroom;

The Operator Agreement sets out the guidelines for below-market occupants.

Internal Moves

It is possible for members to move within the Co-op when a vacancy occurs. Members must have correctly added their names to an internal waitlist kept by Co-op Coordinator prior to the vacancy announcement in order to be considered for a move.

Keys

Please see the Keys and Locks Policy for details.

Member households receive:

• one (1) key to the common areas (stairwells/bicycle room/parking level/lobby/waste room)
• two (2) mailbox keys
• two (2) unit keys
• two (2) key fobs to access common areas served by fob readers
• as many garage door remotes as there adults in a member household

There is no concierge at the Co-op. Consider making key duplicates and leaving a key with a neighbour or friend in case you lock yourself out. Management staff is not always on site, and assisting with lockouts is not part of staff duties.

Laundry

Communal laundry facilities are available in the east wing of the Co-op on the ground floor, in the room adjacent to the common room. Three-bedroom units have their own in-suite washers and dryers. The shared laundry facilities have energy-efficient, front-loading washers and dryers.

Washers cost $1.50 per load and dryers cost $1.50. There is no sign-up procedure for the laundry facilities: machines are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Members are asked to be considerate of others, especially if using the laundry facility between 9 pm and 8 am. 

The Co-op encourages members to use low sudsing and hypoallergenic laundry products and respect those with allergies by not using scented detergents or dryer sheets in these machines. Please be considerate of your neighbours by ensuring filters are cleaned and machines are wiped out. For more details, please look at the Laundry Information Sheet. 

Unclaimed items of clothing are typically placed in a box kept in the laundry room. If something has gone missing, check there.

Management

Office hours for the COHO Management Services Society Coordinator are subject to change. Generally, the Co-ordinator is on-site Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Office hours are posted by the Lounge door and are usually centred on midday. You may reach the office by phone at 604-873-1066, by fax at 604-873-1033, or via email at info@athletesvillagecoop.com.

Janitorial staff is in the building four (4) days a week, but not on weekends. The maintenance technician is in the building three (3) days a week.

Market Rate and Below-Market-Rate Housing Charges

FAAVHC offers a mix of market-rate and below market rate suites. A minority of units are offered at below-market rates (where the housing charges are based on a percentage of the member household’s total income). The Operator Agreement mandates the Co-op uses its best efforts to ensure 25% or more of the units fall in this category. The majority of suites are offered at market rates.

Member Information / Updating Co-op Files

All members are required to inform COHO if there are any changes in household composition (including the number and kind of pets) and emergency contacts. Changes to vehicle details should also be reported if the member rents a parking stall. Members paying below-market rates will also submit updated financial information annually.

Moving

Members must notify the Co-op in writing regarding any planned moves. The Co-op will provide details on the move in/move out procedures, but if a member intends to leave, the member must give 2 month’s written and signed notice. (See a sample move-out letter in the Forms section.) The notice needs to be delivered to the Co-op office or to the Co-op mailbox (#221

Members are responsible for their housing charges up until the effective termination date. That date will be at least two months from the end of the month in which the notice is received by the Co-op. (Also see the section on Internal Moves.)

Noise

Members are asked to be considerate and to minimize noise that might disturb other members, particularly between the hours of 9 pm and 8 am, and especially in Common Areas.

Parking (Exterior)

There is limited street-level parking around the Co-op. Please follow all posted regulations.

Parking (Underground)

There is a parking area below the Co-op building at 151 West 1st Avenue. It is divided into two sections, which together have the capacity to house 94 automobiles. Parking stalls are available for members to rent for a monthly charge. There is also storage space for bicycles (five lock-up rooms, available without charge) in the parking area.

Vehicles may access the parking lot on the north side of the Co-op, on Walter Hardwick Avenue towards Columbia Street. There is a ramp that leads from street level down to the lots, which are secured by one (Area B) or two (Area A) remotely controlled gates. (See schematic on the following page.) Members may also access the parking level using the passenger elevator or the stairs.

Please refer to the section on Garage Access / Garage Remotes for information regarding garage remotes

Some visitor parking is available underground but members are responsible for visitors. Please ensure that visitors park in designated visitor spots (in Area B) or on the street. Motorcycles and scooters may be parked in rented parking spots as long as they do not impede vehicle movement in the parking area. See the Parking Policy for more details.

Members (and guests) should ensure the security gates close behind them and that only authorized vehicles are allowed into the parking area.


There are a total of 76 spaces in Area A (closest to the FAAVHC elevators, behind the Second Gate). This includes 2 spaces designated as Class A, and several others designated as being accessible (WC).

There are a total of 18 spaces in Area B (separated from Walter Hardwick Avenue by only the First Gate). Of these, 2 are reserved for Modo cars (MO) and 8 are reserved for visitor parking (V). Modo is Metro Vancouver’s car-sharing co-operative.

Breakdown of parking spaces:

• 84 parking spots available (Areas A and B) for members* to rent *Note: the Co-op has the discretion to rent out unused parking spaces to non-members.
• 8 parking spots for visitors to the Co-op (in Area B). The Operator Agreement requires the Co-op to maintain no less than 8 for visitor use.
• 2 parking spots to house Modo cars (in Area B)

Members may only store vehicles in parking stalls. Nothing else is allowed in these spaces. Parking stalls are not general storage areas.

Vehicles must not be washed in the underground parking area. Please do not let your car idle in the parking area.

Payments

Housing charges and other payments must be submitted to the Co-op as per the Occupancy Agreement. To avoid arrears situations, members must ensure payments are made on-time and in full. Cash is not acceptable. Housing charges must be paid by post-dated cheque or through a pre-authorized debit (PAD) agreement.

Pets

The Co-op permits a variety of pets: dogs, cats and some other small mammals. The Pets Policy provides more details, but the basic rule is that most member households are permitted up to two cats or two dogs (or one cat and one dog).

Playground

The children’s play area in the central courtyard is for the use of members’ children and their guests and is available from dawn to dusk. It is not for public use, and no pets are permitted on the playground. The play equipment is designed to serve children between the ages of 5 and 12 years old.

Members are reminded of the general common area guideline that residents ought not to create excessive noise, especially after 9 pm or before 8 am.

Privacy

Members submit personal and sometimes confidential information to the Co-op and its management company. If member’s have questions concerning this information, they may contact the Co-op’s privacy officer, Michelle Iversen, for more information: 604-879-5111 extension 141 (email: miversen@chf.bc.ca). In general, all applicants’ and members’ personal information is kept confidential, except where that information is required by the Board or other individuals to carry out their maintenance related responsibilities. Maintenance staff sign a confidentiality agreement stating that they understand and will abide by the rules and regulations of the provincial Personal Information Protection Act.

Recycling

See the section on Waste Management below.

Security

There is no concierge or security personnel, and no real-time monitoring of the building. There are a number of video surveillance cameras in use, covering public areas (such as the lobby, and the central courtyard). For more information, see the Video Surveillance Policy.

Smoking

There are currently five units at FAAVHC that have been designated as smoking units. Over time, it is the Co-ops goal to reduce this number. With the exception of the interiors of these units, smoking (of any substance) is forbidden everywhere in the Co-op including all common areas, balconies and patios.

Smoking outside of the Co-op building is subject to municipal and provincial regulation (e.g. no smoking within 6 metres of entrances, windows and air intakes). The Co-op smoking policy applies to members, guests and visitors. Please refer to the Smoking Policy for more details.

Storage

Members have in-suite storage for their belongings, and there is storage for bicycles in the underground parking area. Members may not store items in Co-op common areas. In particular, the interior corridors and exterior walkways are to be kept clear. Only vehicles may be stored in the parking spaces in the underground parking area. This is a Fire Regulation requirement.

Subletting

The Co-op does not permit subletting of members’ suites without express written permission of the Coop (see Section 14.01 of the Occupancy Agreement).

Utilities

Members are required to sign up for accounts with BC Hydro (http://www.bchydro.com/) and EnerPro (http://www.enerprosystems.com). Other utilities such as cable, internet, and telephone are the responsibility of the Member.

Website

The Co-op’s official website is at http://www.athletesvillagecoop.com.

Garbage disposal bins and recycling bins are located on level P1, in the southeast corner of the parking area, just beyond the elevator block.

No other items are to be left in the waste/recycling room. 

The next few pages offer quick reference guides to deal with various kinds of waste at FAAVHC. 

Recycling

The Co-op encourages members to learn how to sort waste materials for recycling. You can find a quick reference to using the blue cart recycling bins on the next page. Please abide by the sorting instructions outlined on the containers and never dispose of any hazardous materials unlawfully. Only non-recyclable materials should enter the regular waste stream.

Composting

Composting facilities are not yet in place for Co-op members. Some information on the kinds of materials that can be added to compost bins is offered below for general interest. For the moment, food and other compostable wastes can be treated as regular garbage.

Garbage

The Co-op’s waste is picked up by BFI, which visits the Co-op approximately once every two weeks. (More frequent pick-ups are necessary, as the waste is compacted before being taken away). Please review the list that follows that outlines materials that can NOT be added to the regular garbage.

USING THE CONTAINERS CART

USING THE PAPER PRODUCTS CART

USING THE NEWSPRINT CART

Acceptable Materials
Newspapers
Newspaper inserts (flyers)
Television guides

Leave newspapers loose. Do not bundle or tie.

List of Materials that Can Be Added to Compost Bins

1. Never place any antibacterial products into the bin; it kills the bacteria
2. Rigid corn or potato-starch plastics and “biodegradable” petroleum-based plastics will not compost; they are garbage.
3. Although all plant and animal materials will break down in a well-functioning compost bin (just as they do in nature), the items
   on this list are high-calorie, aromatic food sources for living animals that can be problematic: rats, raccoons, bears, etc. We recommend these items be treated as garbage (stored indoors until the morning of pick-up) so as not to encourage wildlife
   finding a food source in your yard.
4. Dog and cat (carnivorous animal) wastes contain pathogens that are not reliably killed in low-temperature composting; these
   are unsafe to handle or spread in your food garden.

Garbage disposal bins and recycling bins are located on level P1, in the southeast corner beyond the elevator block. Members should only access the waste/recycling room (Room P-31) through the regular door. Members should not use the overhead (panel) door. No items are to be left in the waste/recycling room. Members with larger items for disposal will need to make their own arrangements.

BFI picks up compacted garbage from the Co-op approximately every two (2) weeks

Materials that are picked up as part of recycling programs may not be added to the regular garbage.

Excerpted from the list of Banned & Prohibited Materials listed at
http://www.metrovancouver.org/services/solidwaste/disposal/Pages/bannedmaterials.aspx

Many types of businesses are set up as co-operatives. There are farm co-ops, food co-ops, co-op daycares, housing co-ops, credit unions, worker co-ops, and many more. In 1995, the International Co-operative Alliance accepted these principles for all co-operatives. The seven principles are guidelines for co-ops to put their values into practice. They have been reworded for housing co-ops. This summary comes from CHF BC.

1. Open membership

Co-op membership is open to everyone who needs the services of the co-op and who accepts the responsibilities of membership. The Board of Directors must not discriminate against anyone and must respect human rights.

2. Democratic control

Members control their co-op. Together they set rules and policies, make decisions and elect leaders who report to them. Each member of a co-op has one vote. All members have an equal say in managing their co-op.

3. Economic participation

All members contribute fairly to the co-op which they own in common. Co-ops pay a limited return (if any) on money that people paid to become members. The co-op holds any surplus for the future or uses it to improve the co-op’s services.

4. Independence

All agreements that co-ops sign with outside organizations or governments should leave the members in control of their co-op.

5. Co-operative Education

Every co-op is responsible for offering training to its members, directors and staff. Co-ops should also tell the public what they are and what they do.

6. Co-operation among co-operatives

Co-ops work together to serve their members through local, national and international structures.

7. Community

Co-ops meet members’ needs in ways that build lasting communities inside and outside each co-op.

Co-operative Housing Links

• The Co-op has its own website at http://athletesvillagecoop.com 
• Cooperative Housing Federation of BC: http://chf.bc.ca 
• COHO Repair Services: http://www.coho.bc.ca/repair 
• Cooperative Housing Federation of Canada: http://www.chfcanada.coop 
• Scoop Magazine: http://www.chf.bc.ca/news/scoop 

Legal Information and Government/Public Services

• The Cooperative Association Act can be found at http://www.bclaws.ca 
• The City of Vancouver (for by-laws, etc.): http://vancouver.ca 
• Vancouver Public Library: http://vpl.ca 
• Vancouver School Board: http://vsb.bc.ca 

Transportation-Related Links

• Translink (bus and SkyTrain information): http://www.translink.ca 
• Aquabus: http://theaquabus.com 
• False Creek Ferries: http://www.granvilleislandferries.bc.ca 
• Modo (the car-sharing co-op): http://www.modo.coop

Utilities

• EnerPro (integrated energy management systems): http://www.enerprosystems.com 
• BC Hydro (electricity provider): http://theaquabus.com 
• Accessibility & Environmental Standards
• Green Building Certification Institute (LEED certification program): http://www.gbci.org 
• SAFERhome Society: http://saferhomesociety.com 
• Office of Energy Efficiency (EnerGuide and EnergyStar®): http://oee.nrcan.gc.ca 

Businesses and Amenities in the Village

• Creekside Community Recreation Centre (http://www.creekside.ca) 
• Legacy Liquor Store (http://www.legacyliquorstore.com)
• Terra Breads (http://www.terrabreads.com)
• TD Canada Trust Bank (http://www.tdcanadatrust.com)
• Village Cleaners (http://www.villagecleaners.ca)
• Urban Fare (http://urbanfare.ca)
• Subway (http://subway.com)
• Tap and Barrel (http://tapandbarrel.com)
• London Drugs (http://londondrugs.com)
• Bone and Bowl (http://boneandbowl.com)
• Medical Dental @ False Creek coming in winter 2013 (http://www.falsecreekmedicaldental.com)

Note: A link to a website is not a recommendation by FAAVHC of that site, or of the operator of that site.