Vancouver to identify and protect art and culture spaces

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VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – The City of Vancouver is now looking to identify more art and culture spaces so it can help to better protect them in the future.

This comes after a huge push to save the Waldorf Hotel from closure.

There was a huge uproar when Vancouver lost the Varsity Ridge Bowling Alley and a theatre next door to condo’s last year.

But there are a number of other venues and spaces that may be at risk of redevelopment says Councillor Heather Deal.

“We do need to keep an eye on that natural sort-of turn over doesn’t mean that we inadvertently lose some of our most treasured places. So we are asking our staff to go map that out and some of that work is already being done through our ‘Community Planning Process’.”

Deal’s motion is also asking you to connect with them to share some of your most treasured spaces.

“We can’t always protect things, we can’t  interfere with private business. We do have zoning tools and bylaw tools and we need to make sure we are using them as best as we can.”

She says the city also needs to make sure some of these places are complying with city bylaws.

“Many of our cultural places are in older buildings. Some of those are not being kept up to basic health and safety standards. We want to work with those owners to encourage them to keep them as cultural spaces and keep them safe.”

As for the Waldorf, a heritage assessment is underway.

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