Historic architecture, landmarks, and destinations across British Columbia are getting a financial boost as part of the province’s effort to help communities recover from the economic impact of the pandemic.

Heritage B.C. and the provincial government announced today (February 22) that $16 million has been allocated to heritage funding to be delivered by Heritage B.C. An additional $4 million will be delivered through the First People’s Cultural Council.

From 159 submissions, five juries consisting of 20 heritage professionals chose projects in 68 communities across B.C. to receive funding.

Heritage B.C. called it the “single largest funding program to support B.C.’s unique heritage infrastructure” and Heritage B.C. executive director Paul Gravett explained the significance of the funding.

“Through this funding program, the Province not only provided the largest one-time infusion of funds into the heritage sector, but it also recognized the importance and potential of heritage infrastructure and its place in our province’s economic picture,” Gravett stated in a news release.

Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations, and Rural Development Minister Katrine Conroy explained in a news release that this funding will also help communities rebound from the pandemic. The funding is part of B.C.’s $10 billion COVID-19 response.

Projects in the Metro Vancouver area that will receive funding include:

• Britannia Shipyards National Historic Site Society for Heritage Slipways Restoration to Operational Status in Richmond;
• Britannia Mine Museum Society for the Foundations for Heritage Stability of Cottage No. 122 in Britannia Beach;
• Chin Wing Chun Tong Society of Canada for the Chin Wing Chun Tong Society Storefront Rehabilitation, at the building built in 1925 at 158–160 East Pender Street in Vancouver;
• the District of North Vancouver for the Murdo Frazer Cabin Refurbishment;
• the City of Surrey for Indigenous Carving Centres;
• Metro Vancouver Regional District for the Davies Orchard Revitalization in Crippen Regional Park on Bowen Island;
• Western Front Society for the Revitalisation of Western Front’s Exterior Form for the building at 303 East 8th Avenue.

Other projects in B.C. include:

• District of Mission for the Mission Museum Rehabilitation;
• Fraser Valley Heritage Railway Society for the Heritage Railway preservation and conservation;
• Galiano Museum Society for The Water We Call Home: Infrastructure Grant on Gailano Island;
• Heritage Abbotsford Society for the HAS Applied Heritage Preservation Project;
• Japanese Garden Society of Salt Spring Island for repairs to Heiwa Garden in the Peace Park;
• Powell River Film Society for the preservation and restoration of the Historic Patricia Theatre;
• The Pender Islands Museum Society for the Historic House Major Protective and Accessibility Upgrades.

A full list is available at the Heritage B.C. website.