University growing yet again

By Dan Hilborn
Published July 5, 2006


The massive UniverCity development on Burnaby Mountain continues to grow, with two unique rezoning applications that will bring more kids, cars and a church into the neighbourhood.

Burnaby council gave preliminary approval last week to allow the construction of a multi-level parkade with space for 1,370 vehicles. The parkade will be located behind a five-storey apartment building with 45 suites and a four-storey building with 30 townhouse units, plus there will be a 49-space child-care centre on the roof.

Council also gave preliminary approval for Ellesmere United Church to move out of the Capitol Hill neighbourhood and reopen in UniverCity's signature Cornerstone building.

In an interview earlier this year, Rev. Douglas Throop of Ellesmere United said the decision to move the congregation onto Burnaby Mountain has been in the works for several years, part of a desire to better serve students at Simon Fraser University.

"This is a very courageous experiment," Throop said. "In the long- term, we'll see if we can build an interfaith space with other groups."

Given enough support, Throop said the development could eventually include a concert hall and art gallery, with views over Burrard Inlet and Indian Arm. "There would be nothing more inspiring in the whole country," Throop said. "That's my vision, but that may still be a ways down the road."

Throop said the interfaith aspect of the Burnaby Mountain church will be modelled after a United Church in Richmond that shares its space with a Jewish synagogue.

Council also received formal notice of the church's plan to sell the Capital Hill property that Ellesmere United has occupied for the past 50 years.

A report to council from the city's planning department notes that the redevelopment of the Capital Hill site would be preferable if the proponents were able to buy a neighbouring property, whose owner is currently unwilling to sell.

Throop noted that the Capital Hill neighbourhood will still be well served by the United Church, with three different congregations - Cliff Avenue, Willingdon Heights and Deer Lake - within reasonable distance.

Coun. Lee Rankin said that the mixed-use building, which will be located across the street from the proposed UniverCity elementary school, is a much better use of the Burnaby Mountain land, which was previously occupied by a large surface-area parking lot.