The BC Sugar Refinery, a behemoth of a complex that you can’t avoid if you’ve ever driven down Powell Street, is Vancouver’s oldest industrial site. Dating back to 1890, the refinery is just four years older than the City of Vancouver itself. It’s frequently used in movie and television production and is often photographed, making it today’s Vancouver Icons photo feature.
The refinery site was built up in stages, as was the waterfront property — much of the current land was water that has been filled in […] The BC Sugar property is 13.5 acres, and includes 20 buildings, a dock and a little park. There are a couple of art deco buildings from the 1940s, a 1950s-modern office building, and a 300-foot long, 50-foot high storage facility packed with mountains of raw sugar. When you walk through it the air is thick with sugar — when you come out you feel like you’ve been skim-coated in the stuff. [John Mackie – Vancouver Sun]
1945: Archives# CVA 586-3997. Photographer: Donn B.A. Williams.
Photo credit: under_volcano on Flickr
1910s: Archives# M-11-65.
Photo credit: Adam Gaumont on Flickr
1977. Archives# CVA 780-341.
The site has its own steam plant housed in a 1941 art deco building. It has its own sewer grates, which read “BC Sugar.” It even has its own sugar museum, housed in an old garage built in 1916.
The museum has been closed for several years, but is still completely intact. It contains all sorts of artifacts: a model of the 1890 refinery, a Dominican sugar machete with a handmade sheath, and a “ladies pay envelope” from 1941, when a worker made $13.85 for a 40-hour week.
Incredibly, it also contains the original BC Sugar stock certificates issued to William Van Horne and Donald Smith of the CPR, dating to Oct. 17. 1890. Van Horne brought the railway across Western Canada; Smith drove the Last Spike at Craigellachie near Revelstoke. As Canadiana, it’s pure gold — just like the British Columbia Sugar Refinery. [John Mackie – Vancouver Sun]
Other Vancouver Icons posts: Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden, Museum of Anthropology, Fort Langley Community Hall, Christ Church Cathedral, Waterfront Station, Pacific Central Station, Randall Building Mural, East Van Cross, Robert Burns Statue in Stanley Park, Vancouver Maritime Museum, Flack Block, The Drop, Prospect Point Lighthouse, Engagement, Ovaltine Cafe, The English Bay Slide, Freezing Water #7, Cleveland Dam, Heritage Hall, School of Theology Building at UBC, Gate to the Northwest Passage, St Paul’s Hospital, Capilano Lake, Stawamus Chief, Nine O’Clock Gun, Malkin Bowl, Search, Vancouver Rowing Club, Echoes, Point Atkinson Lighthouse, English Bay Inukshuk, Hollow Tree, Hotel Europe, Lions Gate Bridge Lions, LightShed, Granville Bridge, 217.5 Arc x 13′, Canoe Bridge, Vancouver Block, Bloedel Conservatory, Centennial Rocket, Canada Place, Old Courthouse/Vancouver Art Gallery, Dominion Building, Science World, Gastown Steam Clock, SFU Burnaby, Commodore Lanes, Siwash Rock, Kitsilano Pool, White Rock Pier, Main Post Office, Planetarium Building, Lord Stanley Statue, Vancouver Library Central Branch, Victory Square, Digital Orca, The Crab Sculpture, Girl in Wetsuit, The Sun Tower, The Hotel Vancouver, The Gassy Jack Statue, The Marine Building, and The Angel of Victory. Should you have a suggestion for the Vancouver Icons series please feel free to leave a note in the comments. It should be a thing, statue, or place that is very visible and recognizable to the public.
It’s almost time for Pirate Pak Day at White Spot where the purchase of regular kids Pirate Pak and exclusive Adult Pirate Paks will go to a great cause.
White Spot Pirate Pak Day
On Wednesday, August 12, 2015 White Spot will donate $2 from every Pirate Pak sold to Zajac Ranch for Children — an established BC charity that provides a once-in-a-lifetime summer camp experience to kids and young adults with life-threatening illnesses and chronic disabilities.
Pirate Pak was first created by Nat Bailey in 1968 to provide an exclusive dining experience for kids age 10 and under. This year the Pirate Pak celebrates its 47th birthday.
Pirate Paks will be available for all ages for dine-in and take-out. The special edition Adult Pirate Pak offers four options; the Legendary Burger, BC Chicken Burger, Bacon Cheddar Bigger Burger and Provolone Veggie Burger. Each mouth-watering choice is served in a fun cardboard boat, and comes complete with fresh-cut “endless” fries, creamy coleslaw, a soft drink, a scoop of premium rich ice cream and a chocolate “gold” coin.
Pirate Pak Facts
- Almost a million Pirate Paks were sold last year (39,350 of them were on Pirate Pak Day alone).
- Since 1968, more than 24 million Pirate Paks have been sold.
- With the option of substituting salad, juice, feature sundaes and shakes for the standard favourites, there are more than 675 different Kids Pirate Pak combinations, including vegetarian options.
- The Pirate Pak boat is 100% recyclable & compostable
- The most popular Pirate Pak item is the Pirate Pak Hamburger made with 100% fresh Canadian beef and White Spot’s famous Triple “O” sauce. Coming in a close second is our Pirate Pak with Macaroni & Cheese.
About Zajac Ranch for Children
Zajac Ranch‘s mission is to develop and operate an accessible, innovative and full-service facility that welcomes children and young adults facing chronic, life-threatening or debilitating conditions. It provides camp experiences that empower children of all abilities to participate, foster the development of life-long skills and independence and, create lasting opportunities for friendship and fulfillment.
Since 2008, White Spot has raised $347,172 for Zajac Ranch, providing more than 200 children and young adults the opportunity to create summertime memories and empower them to experience traditional camp activities – an opportunity that wouldn’t otherwise be possible. You can donate directly to Zajac Ranch online and visit your local White Spot on August 12th to show your support.
Win a $50 White Spot Gift Card
To spread the word about Pirate Pak Day this year, White Spot has offered up a $50 gift card for me to award one lucky reader. Here’s how you can enter to win:
- Leave a comment here naming your favourite White Spot menu item (1 entry)
- Post the following on Twitter (1 entry)
I will draw one winner at random from all entries at 5:00pm on Pirate Pak Day, Wednesday, August 12, 2015. Follow White Spot on Twitter and Facebook to stay up to date on their latest menu offerings and promotions.
Update The winner is Lynn Routley!
Connect with your community this summer and you could win a flight to an Asian paradise, direct from YVR! Find the YVR Community Festival Booth at an upcoming event, sport one of the contest t-shirts, share your photo, and you could win.
YVR has strong linkages to Asia, with up to 134 direct flights per week to Asia at the peak period in August. Thirteen air carriers currently service routes between YVR and 10 major destinations in Asia, providing excellent connections to all parts of the region. YVR is also the only airport in North America with service from four mainland China carriers: China Eastern, China Southern, Air China and Sichuan Airlines.
YVR Airport T-Shirts to Paradise
Here’s how T-Shirts to Paradise works:
- Visit a YVR Community Festival Booth located across the Lower Mainland this summer and pick up a t-shirt
- Snap a photo of you with a t-shirt showing the destination of your choice
- Sign up at the event with YVR’s Brand Ambassadors through email submission
- Post your photo to Facebook, Twitter or Instagram using #TSHIRTSTOPARADISE
T-shirt selections (which correspond with the flight you can win) are China, Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Korea and The Philippines.
You can find a YVR Community Festival Booth at the following festivals and events:
The campaign will focus on several surprising parts of each country, such as hiking around mist-capped mountains in China, surfing some of the best waves on the planet in Taiwan or snowboarding through untracked powder in Japan. Air Canada, All Nippon Airlines, Cathay Pacific, China Airlines, China Southern Airlines, EVA Air, Philippines Airlines and Sichuan Airlines proudly sponsored business class tickets to designated destinations for this contest.
Fly Business Class to Japan, or receive a a $5,000 travel voucher to Korea, the prizes are amazing for any seasoned world traveler or first time explorer. In total, there will be nine prize winners thanks to partner airlines. Contest closes at midnight on September 13, 2015.
Must be 19+ to enter the contest. Check out full details and rules online and follow YVR Airport on Twitter and Facebook.
Richmond is getting a full day festival of music, food, and culture and they’re kicking it off in style! This morning the official announcement was made that Matt & Kim, the dynamic indie dance duo from Brooklyn, will headline the Richmond World Festival, presented by Coast Capital Savings.
Richmond World Festival
Where Minoru Park, 7191 Granville Avenue, Richmond, BC
When Saturday, September 5, 2015 from 11:00am to 9:00pm
Admission FREE
The Richmond World Festival will have music all day on the YVR Main Stage. There will also be an international food truck festival with more than 35 food trucks, and the Richmond Centre Culinary Stage. The Global Village will have interactive cultural activities and performances, you can shop around the Artisan Marketplace, and hone your skills at the Wide World of Sports while learning about the history of local teams.
Headliners
Matt and Kim have become festival circuit favourites with a live act renowned for raw exuberance, bombastic beats, sing-along refrains and dance-ready anthems. They’ve performed at numerous major music festivals including Lollapalooza, Bonnaroo, Coachella, and Pemberton.
“We’re going to transform Minoru Park into a global village that celebrates our cultural diversity, with something to satisfy all interests, ages and tastes,” said Richmond Mayor Malcolm Brodie. “We invite everyone in Richmond and visitors from around the region and around the globe to join us for a great end of summer festival.”
In addition to its international hit headliners, the Richmond World Festival will also showcase numerous diverse cultural acts, and feature a number of Richmond based performing groups.
Main Stage sponsor Vancouver International Airport will also be bringing its T-Shirts to Paradise contest to the Richmond World Festival. Festival goers who are BC residents and 19 or older can get a free- t-shirt and enter to win a trip for two to one of six Asian destinations.
The Richmond World Festival is produced by the City of Richmond. Community partners are Port Metro Vancouver, Cowell Auto Group, Richmond Centre and Kwantlen Polytechnic University. Media sponsors are Global TV, the Georgia Straight, 102.7 The Peak, Z95.3, Richmond News and Miss604. For more festival news follow @FunRichmond on Twitter and #RWF2015.
Miss604 is a proud Media Sponsor of the Richmond World Festival
Following the success of the FIFA Women’s World Cup, and the continued — and amazing — fan support for Vancouver Whitecaps FC, Donnelly Group pubs are preparing for the launch of the Barclays Premier League season.
Starting August 8th, soccer fans all over the Lower Mainland can wake up early and head to the pub to support their favourite teams across the pond. Host pubs will be staffed and ready to go as early as 5:00am each weekend to prepare for kickoff.
Where to Watch Premier League Soccer in Vancouver
All fans are welcome but if you’re looking for like-minded fans and supporters, check out these dedicated team viewing locations:
Chelsea FC: New Oxford (1144 Homer St)
Liverpool FC: Butcher & Bullock (911 W Pender St)
Manchester City FC: The Blackbird (905 Dunsmuir St)
Tottenham Hotspur FC: The Bimini (2010 W 4th Ave)
Manchester United FC: The Lamplighter (92 Water St)
Celtic FC: Library Square (300 W Georgia St)
Ranger FC: Three Brits (1780 Davie St)
If you have a favourite pub where you support your Barclays Premier League team, feel free to leave an invitation for others to join you in the comments below.
