It’s taken longer than expected but restoration is finally complete on the roof of Heritage Hangar at Boundary Bay Airport.
Two years ago, council approved a contract for the replacement of the roof which included the full removal and replacement of all nine roof systems. It was the second phase of an overall rehabilitation project to protect and preserve the structure.
A report to council notes that due to weather-related delays, challenges associated removing the old asbestos-containing barrel roof and significant rot discovered in three of the nine roof systems, the replacement of the roof took much longer than originally anticipated and resulted in a longer than anticipated insurance coverage. The report also notes that although it was more costly and time-consuming, the decision to remove the previous rood systems before re-roofing proved to be prudent because significant rot was discovered. Despite the challenges, the project has been completed within the $1.127 million budget.
The first phase of the hangar restoration project included replacing the rotten structural columns at the west end of the building, replacing the windows on the main doors at each end of the building and re-painting the doors, remediating the main door rail tracks and replacing the west and east facing siding. That restoration work cost $800,000.
Coun. Bruce McDonald noted when a deal was brokered to sell land at the airport to Dayhu Group for a warehouse development, the proceeds were to be directed back into the airport for improvements including the hangar, so no taxpayer money was spent.
The Heritage Hangar was constructed in 1941 by the federal government for what was at the time the Royal Canadian Air Force Training School.
