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Mayor hopes community will save Delta heritage buildings

Mayor suggests creation of new group that could raise money to preserve the 'grand old buildings' of Delta

Mayor Lois Jackson is hoping people in the community will want to come together to save some of Delta's heritage buildings from the wrecking ball.

Jackson is asking the civic heritage committee to look into spreading the word that those interested in heritage preservation should consider joining forces to form a society.

"It has occurred to me over a long period of time that we continue to lose a lot of these grand old buildings. One day will pass by and it's suddenly gone," said Jackson.

The loss of heritage buildings has been a sore point of late for civic politicians as well as residents.

Although Delta has heritage conservation arrangements available, offering incentives for property owners looking to subdivide or redevelop their land, Jackson feels more can be done.

Last fall, a demolition crew tore down the old Friesen residence at 6721 Ladner Trunk Rd. Council approved a demolition permit, but told the owner to first offer the home for sale for 30 days for $1 to anyone interested in buying and moving it.

Located on a 17.8-hectare (44-acre) property in the Agricultural Land Reserve, the home, believed to have been built sometime in the early 1920s, had turned into an eyesore.

Council, meantime, placed a temporary protection order for the Kittson residence down the road at 9230 Ladner Trunk Rd., but the clock is ticking for that home as well.

The new owners applied for a demolition application for the farmhouse built by Robert Kittson in 1907. The house is listed as having a high heritage value and is on Delta's heritage inventory, but not on a heritage registry, which provides more protection. Owners usually have to agree to place their heritage structures in the inventory.

The heritage commission was told the cost to restore the Kittson house is estimated between $400,000 and $500,000.

Another example of a heritage home being demolished was the Robert Smith residence at the corner of Highway 17 and 56th Street in Tsawwassen.

Vacant and dilapidated for years, the property is now owned by the Century Group.

President Sean Hodgins said he applied to demolish the house after he was unable to find a local group willing to help preserve it.

Jackson hopes a group of volunteers coming together to form a society might have luck in securing the funding needed to save such buildings.

"Of course, the corporation (of Delta) doesn't have funds to put into upgrading these beautiful places, like Kirkland House, for instance."

The Kirkland House is a 1911 Edwardian farmhouse on Ladner's Arthur Drive.

In 2004, the municipality took ownership of the house as a result of a land exchange.

The Kirkland House Foundation now leases the house and property directly from Delta. The foundation is a non-profit volunteer organization.

A cooperative effort was also behind the preservation of the Cammidge House, built in 1914 at its original location of 3rd Avenue and Boundary Bay Road, but now located near Centennial Beach.

The relocation and restoration of Cammidge House was a co-operative effort of the Century Group, Metro Vancouver, the Tsawwassen/Boundary Bay Lions Club and local architect Rod McFarlane.

Jackson said the municipality is fortunate to have had such cooperative efforts, but she believes a new society can help save and restore even more buildings.

sgyarmati@delta-optimist.com