Connections Speaker Series: A Planning History of The Shipyards
The Shipyards in Lower Lonsdale has emerged as one of the most memorable neighbourhoods in Metro Vancouver. How was this accomplished?
MONOVA’s Connections Speaker Series celebrates the innovation, diversity and unique landscape our communities inhabit through a fun, surprising and thought-provoking series of guests.
As highlighted in MONOVA’s current feature exhibit You Are Here @ The Shipyards (now on view at the Museum of North Vancouver), the origins of The Shipyards neighbourhood date back to old growth forests and a thriving Coast Salish population.
First Nations villages were located at various places along the inlet, including Eslhá7an, at the mouth of Mosquito Creek. With colonization came Indian Reserves, residential schools, logging, sawmills, lumber exports, and settler communities.
From these origins, the founders of the City of North Vancouver had something special in mind: an urban centre inspired by the Garden City movement. These intentions were interrupted by recessions, depressions, two world wars and suburbanization.
Lower Lonsdale as a Special Place
Bob Spencer and Richard White, ca. 1990s.
The original vision for the City and Lower Lonsdale would be rejuvenated with the arrival of the SeaBus in 1977. From that time on, deliberate efforts were made by the City to make Lower Lonsdale a special place.
The Lonsdale Quay Development Plan, Official Community Plans, Lower Lonsdale Planning Study, Versatile Shipyards Land Use Study and Waterfront Development Project were instrumental in shaping what we now call The Shipyards.
Richard White and Gary Penway’s combined careers as city planners spanned nearly 40 years from 1978 to 2017. Together, they participated in planning studies and civic initiatives that were transformational.
A Discussion On The Evolution Of The Shipyards District
On Wednesday, April 19 from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm, join us at MONOVA: Museum of North Vancouver (115 West Esplanade) for a discussion on the evolution of The Shipyards District.
Sheryl Rivers will speak to the First Nations presence and moderate the event. Richard White and Gary Penway will discuss City of North Vancouver planning efforts that occurred, what went right, what went wrong and what is still to come!
Lower Lonsdale Planning Model, ca. 2000s, showing future planned development.
Shipyards Heritage Precinct Concept Model (Pier Development).
Bankrupt Versatile Pacific Shipyards Site, ca 2000.
ABOUT THE PRESENTERS
Sheryl Rivers (Presenter and Moderator)
A graduate of Simon Fraser University’s Executive MBA in Aboriginal Business and Leadership, Sheryl currently serves the City of North Vancouver on the North Vancouver Museum & Archives Commission.
Richard White, FCIP
Richard White is a fellow of the Canadian Institute of Planners. He worked with the City of North Vancouver in 1978 as a Planning Technician and later became the first City Planner in 1983.
As the City Planner, Deputy Director and then Director of Planning, he oversaw all planning efforts from 1983 until his retirement in 2012. Richard was also one of two prominent managers to launch the City’s new Waterfront Project initiative in 2005.
He has a Masters Degree in Community & Regional Planning from UBC and currently operates his own planning consulting practice, RH White Planning Advisory Services.
Gary Penway, MCIP
Gary Penway is member of the Canadian Institute of Planners. He worked with the City of North Vancouver from 1986 to his retirement as the Director of Planning in 2017.
He was the City’s representative on the Versatile Pacific Shipyards Land Use Study in the 1990’s. He initiated the City’s Heritage Program and served as the Waterfront Project Development Manager from 2008-2009.
Gary has a Bachelor’s Degree in Urban & Regional Planning from the Toronto Metropolitan University. He currently has his own planning consultant practice, Gary Penway Consulting.
From left: Sheryl Rivers, Richard White, Gary Penway.
ABOUT THE CONNECTIONS SPEAKER SERIES
MONOVA’s Connection’s Speaker Series brings the stories of North Vancouver to life. Nestled between the dramatic mountains, forest, and the rich waterfront, North Vancouver’s unique landscape has shaped the history of the land and has a deep impact on the diverse people who call this land ‘home’.
Focused on human stories, MONOVA’s Connections Speaker Series will celebrate the innovation, diversity and unique landscape our communities inhabit through a fun, surprising and thought-provoking series of guests. These events will also provide an insight into the many stories of North Vancouver told in MONOVA’s museum and archival collections.
The Connections Speaker Series is generously sponsored by the Port of Vancouver.
We rely on contributions, monthly or one-time gifts, to help MONOVA safeguard and expand our community’s archival and museum collections, build learning experiences and inspire future generations.
Donations are accepted through the Friends of the North Vancouver Museum & Archives Society, Registered Charity No. 89031 1772 RR0001.
