Our nearby neighbour Urban Academy has submitted an application to expand its school site in Queen’s Park. The proposal would see the old Robson Manor restored and a new modern facility built surrounding the manor and on the site directly behind it. A small, worn out building exists on that site and would need to come down in order to build the new building.
I can’t believe people would complain about a modern style building having no place in Queen’s Park. I would argue that the new building compliments the heritage building and makes Robson Manor look more like a grand focal point rather than an awkwardly located manor sandwiched between a 10-storey 1950s concrete high rise on Royal Avenue and a badly aging three-storey rental building, both of which have brought other challenges to our neighbourhood.
The Anvil Centre is a great example of a modern building in a heritage district that the city has embraced. As is the new Trapp & Holbrook residential building, which is a cool modern structure above a classic heritage business frontage.
It is 2015 for goodness sake, should we not be building for the future rather than trying to mimic the past? The heritage buildings we hold dear are held in high regard because they are truly heritage not because they are knock offs. Have an open mind neighbours! A new school building like the one proposed will actually increase our property values and improve our neighbourhood.
R. Ligsay
New Westminster
