A project that is now well underway will save an important part of Richmond’s maritime history.
The Britannia Shipyard Building is undergoing a major facelift.
The building sits within an eight-acre heritage park that began as the Fraser River location for early boatbuilding, fishing and canning. Those original activities have passed away with modern changes but the heritage buildings have been preserved, thanks to the far-sightedness of the Richmond city council.
Originally constructed as a salmon cannery in 1889, the Britannia Shipyard building reopened in 1918 to repair fishing boats for ABC Packing Company.
The riverside area, with a wooden boardwalk linking the heritage buildings, has now become a popular local and tourist destination.
The project to restore the Britannia Shipyard building involves an expert evaluation of the parts of the structure that can be restored and the parts that have to be replaced.
The work itself must be painstakingly done so as to preserve the authenticity of the historic building.
The work is extensive.
According to its website, the City of Richmond is undertaking these substantial upgrades — including “roof replacement and installation of roof anchors to facilitate future repairs; repairs to or replacement of damaged siding; replacement of damaged or missing gutters; reconstruction of chimneys; and repairs and improvements to the substructure to allow a winch system to haul boats on the ways.”
All of this work is being done according to national standards for heritage conservation.
The Britannia Shipyard Building is temporarily closed for building repairs. It is expected to reopen in 2026.
A future Out and About column will update progress on this excellent project.
More information can be found at Britannia Shipyard Building Repairs - Richmond BC
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