Project Information

Brockton Totem Poles Interpretative Centre

Expansion to Gift Shop and Public Washroom

Project Description

In 2001 the Brockton Totem Poles Visitor Center was constructed. The lack of public washrooms at one of the busiest tourist locations in B.C. had long been a source of frustration and inconvenience for visitors who had to walk to the Brockton Cricket Pavilion or Oval to use the nearest public washrooms.

Adding the component of a small gift shop and food service at the Brockton Totem Poles was a way to fund not only the washrooms but also an Interpretative Court showing the history of the First Nations peoples who once lived in this area (Burrard, Musqueam and Squamish nations).

In the years since, the popularity of the site, especially for bus tours, has resulted in the public washrooms being heavily congested throughout the summer months and the gift shop requiring additional space to enable customers to be serviced in a more comfortable manner.

The proposed addition of 1900 square feet to the existing Brockton Totem Poles Interpretative Centre was presented to the Board on July 21, 2008. This was the preferred option since it was designed as a logical continuation of an existing building, with the same architectural language, in order for the expansion to feel seamless and not as an "add on" element. The Board asked staff to explore and put forward the utilitarian design option with a cost comparison. Staff reported to the Board again on September 15, 2008, at which time the recommendations were accepted.

 

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