The Vancouver Artillery Association is pleased to announce that it has been selected as a recipient of a $75,000.00 grant from the British Columbia | Canada 150: Celebrating B.C. Communities and Their Contributions to Canada fund. This funding is intended for the advancement of the Yorke Island Conservancy, a Second World War coastal artillery site off Sayward, British Columbia that was manned by members of the 15th (Vancouver) Coast Brigade, RCA.
The project under this funding will deliver heritage conservation planning, interpretation and rehabilitation for Yorke Island Conservancy. The scope of work includes implementation of heritage conservation measures, encompassing emergency stabilization and improved public access and public safety. The work at Yorke Island is purposefully designed to demonstrate a working model for the collaborative management of heritage assets and cultural landscapes managed by BC Parks throughout the province. The project has two primary deliverables: first, the implementation of urgently required conservation and interpretation at Yorke Island; and the second, the development of a BC Parks Heritage Legacy Handbook, that can be used at provincial and national level to guide best practices in the management of heritage assets in parks. “This project is an important milestone in the preservation of Yorke Island for future generations. The 15th (Vancouver) Coast Brigade RCA was our regiment’s contribution to the Second World War. The defence of Vancouver from a hostile enemy was due to the diligence of the soldiers stationed at the forts at Yorke Island, Stanley Park and Point Grey. Many of those soldiers went on to serve in the Italian and European theatres after the threat to Vancouver diminished. Many did not return.” – Lieutenant-Colonel Brent Purcell, Commanding Officer, 15th Field Artillery Regiment RCA “The 15th Field Artillery Regimental Society is honoured to be a part of the process of not only supporting the Regiment as it connects with its history and with the communities that it served in; but also working with BC Parks in the development of a Heritage Legacy Handbook for use throughout the province of British Columbia. A true legacy!” – Al DeGenova, Honorary Lieutenant-Colonel, 15th Field Artillery Regiment RCA The Vancouver Artillery Association is looking forward to working with BC Parks, BC Heritage Branch and other local community groups in moving the project forward. Updates will be provided as the project develops over the upcoming year. Additional background information can be obtained by viewing our website at www.vancouvergunners.ca or contacting the Vancouver Artillery Association President, Leon Jensen at [email protected]. Would you like to be part of the team? Additional donations to the Yorke Island Fund can be made through our website at http://www.vancouvergunners.ca/quartermaster-stores.html. |
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February 2025
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