On April 20, 1945, a visionary proposal for a new civic centre in Vancouver was unveiled, aiming to transform a dilapidated seven-block area into a vibrant hub for administrative, recreational, and cultural activities. The plan, championed by former alderman Harry DeGraves and designed by American planner Hartland Bartholomew and his colleague Russell Riley, was endorsed by Vancouver's town planning commission.
A Dream Civic Centre
The proposed civic centre was to be located at West Pender and Cambie streets, above Victory Square. It called for the construction of 12 buildings, including a civic auditorium suitable for large conventions, automobile and agricultural shows, box lacrosse, boxing, and wrestling. Additionally, the plan featured a new library and archives building, a 3,500-seat civic opera house, and a modern, larger Vancouver art gallery and museum.
Key Features of the Proposal
- A new general post office
- A veterans' memorial building
- A veterans' rehabilitation building
- A vocational school
- A curling rink
- A pioneers memorial building
- A large skating and hockey rink modeled after Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto
Interestingly, the hockey rink was not depicted in the blueprint published by The Vancouver Sun. The blueprint showed the civic centre bounded by West Pender to the north, West Georgia to the south, Beatty to the east, and Homer to the west. It also indicated a bus terminal at Georgia and Homer and a large park, Larwill Park, which later became the bus terminal in 1947.
Support and Legacy
The Vancouver Sun was enthusiastic about the project, likely because the proposed site was across the street from the Sun Tower at Pender and Beatty, and near The Province newspaper building. Despite the excitement, the civic centre was never built, but the concept continued to influence future developments in Vancouver.
