Woodlands Study

The heritage community values the Woodlands site in terms of its historic and cultural significance. The site’s heritage value is tied to the City’s colonial history, its age, architectural style and construction, its association with notable New Westminster architect G.W. Grant, and for its significant role in the history of public health in the province. The Woodlands site has a charged history for many people, and arouses strong emotions in former residents and health workers alike. A memorial garden was opened in 2007.

Historic buildings on the Woodlands site include:

The Carpentry Shop, 1902
The Columbia Wall, 1909
The Nurses’ Lodge, 1920s
The Boiler House, 1930

Centre block and tower studies

In 2009, City Council directed studies be undertaken for the structure known as the ‘Entry Tower’ at the former Centre Block, Woodlands, located at 22 East Royal Avenue. The Entry Tower, built in 1889, is all that remains of the Centre Block (begun in 1878), the oldest and most significant structure that formed an integral part of the former Woodlands provincial psychiatric care facility. In July 2008, a series of fires effectively destroyed the Centre Block with the exception of the Entry Tower.

Click here to view the Woodlands Centre Block Tower Land Use Study

Woodlands Task Force

In 2011, Council endorsed a motion to demolish the Entry Tower and directed City staff to establish a representative task force based on the stakeholder groups from the 2009 Centre Block consultations. The Task Force met over a period of three years and determined appropriate themes, content and images for four interpretative panels to be located at the site. The Task Force also recommended that the Entry Tower footprint be demarcated with salvaged granite blocks where it once stood.

Click here to view the interpretative panels.