Seaforth Armoury facts for kids
Seaforth Armoury on Burrard Street in Vancouver
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Quick facts for kids General information |
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| Type | Drill Hall / armoury |
| Architectural style | fortified, |
| Location | Vancouver British Columbia |
| Address | 1650 Burrard Street |
| Current tenants | The Seaforth Highlanders of Canada, |
| Construction started | 1930 |
| Completed | 1936 |
| Inaugurated | 26 August 1936 |
| Owner | Canadian Forces |
| Technical details | |
| Structural system | massive, low-massed, asymmetrical, concrete |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | McCarter and Nairne |
| Awards and prizes | Canada's Register of Historic Places; Classified - 1997 Register of the Government of Canada Heritage Buildings |
| Renovating team | |
| Awards and prizes | Class A Heritage Building |
The Seaforth Armoury is a special building in Vancouver, British Columbia. It's located at 1650 Burrard Street. This armoury is like a home base for The Seaforth Highlanders of Canada, which is a group of part-time soldiers in the Canadian Forces. A company called McCarter and Nairne designed the building. Today, it's known as a Class A Heritage Building, meaning it's an important historical place.
Contents
History of the Seaforth Armoury
Building a New Home
From 1910 until 1935, the Seaforth Highlanders of Canada shared a training hall. They trained at the Beatty Street Drill Hall with another group called the Duke of Connaught’s Own Rifles. The Seaforth Highlanders wanted their own special building.
So, in the early 1930s, they asked the government for a separate armoury. A good spot was chosen. It was an empty piece of land at the end of the new Burrard Street Bridge. The address became 1650 Burrard Street.
Opening Day
Work on the armoury started in 1935 and finished in 1936. The Seaforth Armoury officially opened on August 26, 1936.
On that day, the Seaforth Highlanders of Canada lined up in a special formation. The Governor General, Lord Tweedsmuir, was there. He watched the first parade held at the new armoury.
Modern Upgrades and New Buildings
In June 2012, the armoury began a big project. It was a three-year, $9.3 million upgrade to make the building stronger against earthquakes. They also renovated parts of the old structure.
An extra $31.2 million was set aside for a new five-storey building. This new building would house support groups and the headquarters for the 39 Canadian Brigade Group. Another military base, the Jericho Armoury, would move to this new location.
The renovations were completed in May 2016. On September 24, 2016, the Seaforth Highlanders of Canada marched back to their home. They had been away for four years during the construction.
The new building is now called the Vancouver Garrison. It was named the Major General Bertram Hoffmeister Building. He was a famous Canadian General who had served with the Seaforth Highlanders for many years.
What Happens at the Armoury?
In the Canadian Forces, an armoury is a place where reserve units train. It's where they meet and hold parades.
The Seaforth Museum
Besides being the home of the Seaforth Highlanders of Canada, the Seaforth Armoury also houses a museum. This is the The Seaforth Museum. It's an official Canadian Forces Museum. Here, you can learn about the history of the Seaforth Highlanders.
Cadet Units
The armoury is also home to two cadet units. These are groups for young people who want to learn about the military:
- 72 (The Seaforth Highlanders of Canada) Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corps
- 135 (Bell-Irving) Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron
