Past consultation
2019 Community Consultation
The District asked the community:
- Does the community support the concept of a West Vancouver nature centre?
- Does the community support locating a nature centre on the waterfront?
- Does the community support restoring the heritage house known as Navvy Jack House for the nature centre, or building a new facility?
- Does the community support using Community Amenity Contribution funds to create a nature centre?
The deadline to complete the survey was Monday, September 30 at 4 p.m. Thank you for your input!
Survey
Thank you to everyone that completed a survey. We received 475 survey submissions.
The survey closed on Monday, September 30 at 4 p.m.
Report to Council - July 2020: Navvy Jack Nature Centre – Community Consultation Results
Information Meetings
Information meetings provided an opportunity to learn more about the site and the proposal. They took place on September 17, 21 and 24.
The concept
The proposal for a nature centre was first submitted by West Vancouver’s community stewardship groups. They envisioned a centrally-located nature centre that would profile and highlight the natural riches of our community. Displays and information, supported by stewardship groups, would inspire visitors to take information away and explore the myriad of natural wonders in our community, including forests, parkland, shorelines, wetlands, streams and local wildlife.
Council approved the submission in 2014, subject to a sustainable business plan.
What is a nature centre?
It is a public space for programs and services that support education and promotion of the natural environment and our cultural heritage.
A West Vancouver nature centre would offer environmental and heritage programs and education. Programs and events will take place both inside the building and outside in the nearby park. The space would host:
- indoor and outdoor environmentally-themed programs and events for children, youth, families
- educational activities supporting the efforts of community environmental stewardship groups
- heritage programs, activities and events
- private functions, as a facility available to rent
Operating model
An advisory committee that includes representation from local stewardship groups, Squamish, Musqueam and Tsleil-Waututh Nations and other community stakeholders would help develop the nature centre’s programming. The annual operating cost is projected to be $110,000, and takes into account operating costs and revenue projections from programming and rentals.
Funding from Community Amenity Contributions (CACs)
If the community supports this project, funding would come from the District’s Community Amenity Contributions. These are funds that are provided to the District by a developer when Council grants development rights through re-zoning. A nature centre would be a new community amenity and therefore qualifies for this type of funding.
If you support proceeding with a nature centre, three options are presented for your consideration, with costs ranging from $1,300,000 to $2,314,000. The District currently has over $12 million in CACs.
Challenges
Restoring a residential building to the standards required for public use is expensive. In this case, restoring this heritage property would cost more than building a new facility.
The project costs presented include all expenses associated with design, permits, insurance and construction to convert the existing structure to a one-storey 1,200 square foot program area with:
- hazmat removal
- relocating the building
- elevating the building to address sea level rise
- refinishing the exterior of the structure to replicate the 1909 version of the house
- new interior flooring and finishing
- accessibility features
- food preparation area
- washrooms
- storage room
- landscaping
