I
                               REPORT TO COUNCIL

                         VANCOUVER HERITAGE COMMISSION

                                OCTOBER 16, 1995


    RECOMMENDATION

    1.   Langara Clubhouse

         The Vancouver Heritage Commission at its meetings on September 18,
    and  October 16, 1995, discussed at length retention and designation of
    the  historic Langara Clubhouse built  in 1926.   The Commission agreed
    the building is in excellent condition, and  could serve for many years
    in a number of possible capacities.  The original windows and hot water
    heating  system are still  intact and a  great deal of  upgrade work is
    unnecessary.

         The Park Board earlier this year  called for proposals for the use
    of  the building.   Both the George  Woodcock Literary  Society and the
    Langara  Heritage  Pavilion  Society  responded  to  the  Park  Board's
    proposal  call.  However, the  former withdrew its  application and the
    Langara Heritage  Pavilion Society's  proposal to maintain  the current
    use to  serve its  members, was  found unsuitable by  the Board  at its
    October 16th meeting.

         It was noted a Park Board staff report stated, "If the building is
    not demolished, it will  likely be designated a heritage  building, and
    will  forever more become the Board's responsibility to maintain."  The
    Park Board, on October 23rd, passed a motion to demolish this building.
    The only apparent gain from demolition is a few parking stalls.  In the
    context  of the  Park Board's  resolution, the  decision is  now before
    Council whether to pursue heritage designation.

         The Vancouver Heritage Commission, therefore,

    RECOMMENDS

         A.   THAT  the Vancouver Heritage  Commission's concern is to
              maintain  and  preserve  the original  building  with  a
              minimum of alterations;

              FURTHER THAT the  Commission review all  proposals prior
              to the Park Board's consideration of them;

              AND  FURTHER  THAT  the  Commission   recommend  Council
              designate the  Langara Clubhouse under the  Heritage By-
              law.

                                                                       ...2
    Langara Clubhouse (cont'd)



         B.   THAT the  Vancouver  Heritage Commission  strongly  urge
              Council to request  the Park Board to ensure the Langara
              Clubhouse building is  stabilized and not  demolished at
              this point in time;

              FURTHER  THAT the Park  Board actively request proposals
              for appropriate use of the building;

              AND FURTHER THAT the Commission give conditional support
              to the Langara Heritage Pavilion Society's proposal.



                                                (signed) "B. Lynne Bryson" 
                                                           Chair           
                                              Vancouver Heritage Commission




    CITY MANAGER'S COMMENTS

    The City  Manager notes that the Park  Board has been reviewing options
    for the Langara Clubhouse for some time.

       - In 1992,  the Board and City  Council approved redevelop-ment
         plans  for the  three golf courses;  demolition of  all three
         clubhouses was envisaged in those plans.

       - Council  discussed  placing  the  Langara  Clubhouse  on  the
         Heritage Inventory, but  decided not  to do so.   A  heritage
         evaluation about that time rated the building as a "B".

       - In 1993,  Council directed staff to  explore the feasibi-lity
         of re-use of the Langara Clubhouse.

       - A request for proposals  for relocation of the Clubhouse  did
         not generate any response.

       - An adaptive  re-use study was  authorized --  re-use was  not
         recommended.


                                                                      .../3


    Langara Clubhouse (Cont'd)



    City Manager's Comments (Cont'd)


    In July  of this year,  the Board  requested proposals for  re-use from
    community  groups.  Only  one real proposal was  received, and this was
    considered unsatisfactory, in that  no funding was in place  to support
    it.   The Heritage Commission Chair and a representative from the local
    community  addressed the Board on October 23rd, when it considered this
    matter.  The community delegation opposed retaining the building.

    The  Heritage Commission  is  recommending that  Council designate  the
    building.   However,  the City  Manager  believes that  Council  should
    acknowledge  the review and public process conducted by the Park Board,
    and accept its decision to demolish the building.




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