Richmond city council has authorized a list of repairs to the Britannia Shipyard and Seine Loft buildings.
However, a committee made up of council members and Britannia Shipyard society representatives will work together to determine what restorations are necessary, and which ones aren’t.
On July 22, city council was looking at proposed restoration work to both buildings. but society representatives said they weren't necessarily on board with the proposals.
Ultimately, a permit for the restoration work was approved; however, the committee will review and ratify each restoration.
Chair of the Britannia Shipyards Society board Harold Steves told city council the society would only support the changes if a joint committee were created.
“We gave qualified support for the changes as long as we had a joint committee set up to oversee the building and make changes to the changes if they aren’t necessary,” he said.
The society doesn't see the necessity of replacing the roof or for a new membrane, as these major expenses were not needed for the past 135 years and aren’t now, he added.
According to the society, the metal roof is in excellent condition, but if there are loose screws, replacing them and their washers would be a much cheaper option.
“A building that size costs $5,000 or $10,000 to replace the screws, and $150,000 to remove the roof,” he said.
Steves also expressed concern regarding the replacement of the windows, saying this and the roof would alter the building dramatically.
Additionally, he alluded to the “outrageous” alterations to the boatworks building in the past, saying new repairs don’t reflect the original building structure at all.
“There was no (oversight) by staff that stepped in and said you shouldn’t do this,” he said. “We are concerned that if we don’t have a joint committee we could end up with some changes like that.”
Coun. Bill McNulty voiced his support for creating the joint committee.
“Our heritage buildings are eroding, and we need to take a stance,” he said. “The society has the expertise, and we have to listen.”
“I’m totally against consultants, 'cause none of them live or have a feeling for Richmond. We have to utilize our people in the community that are pioneers and know what is going on.”
He added all the repairs would convert this into a new facility, not a heritage building.
In 2020, an assessment of the integrity of multiple buildings at the site was made, identifying necessary repairs.
On December 2022, council approved $5 million to begin restoration work at the Britannia Shipyard and Seine Net Loft buildings, with an additional $7 million approved a year later to continue renewals.
The proposed repairs and alterations to the Britannia Shipyard building include several replacements, such as the roof, siding and exterior boards, metal gutters as well as renewal of exterior doors and windows and various sub-structural upgrades.
Proposed repairs for the Seine Net Loft are mostly focused on the sub-structure of the building.
This restoration work was highlighted as necessary by staff, who said they discovered various leaks and deterioration across the buildings.
All upgrades are planned to be made using materials closest to the original to preserve the site’s historic integrity.
The Britannia Shipyards National Historic Site is a 3.2-hectare waterfront heritage park comprised of 14 historic wooden buildings, once housing a busy cannery and shipyard.
The site was established as a municipal heritage site in 1990 and is protected with a heritage designation.
For additional proposed changes, visit the staff report.
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