VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – Fourth Avenue in Vancouver will be turned into a military procession route this morning.

A ‘march-out’ will mark the temporary closure of the historic Seaforth Armoury at the base of the Burrard Street Bridge.

The armoury will be closed for repairs for three years. The 76-year-old building is in need of some seismic upgrades, among other things.

Lieutenant colonel Scott Raesler of the Seaforth Highlanders, the army reserve regiment that makes its home there, says people won’t notice any changes to the exterior.

“But the inside will be shored up to ensure that it can withstand a significant earthquake. There will also be design changes made to the inside of the armoury to better reflect the training requirements of a 21st-century soldier versus an early 20th-century soldier.”

And that’s important since it is a very active reserve, having sent 60 members to Afghanistan.

The 200 or so members of the Seaforth Highlanders will officially march to their temporary home at the Jericho Garrison, starting at 10 a.m.

“We are going to be forming up on the north bound lane of Burrard Street facing the armoury. We’ll be properly saying farewell to the armoury, lowering our flag and officially closing this station at its known,” explains Raesler.