Rehabilitation of the Bralorne Pioneer Mines Ltd. Office

Project Update
November 8, 2022

The Bralorne Pioneer Mines Ltd. Office (BPMO), built in 1938-1939 by Bralorne Mines Ltd. is a key structure that contributes to Bralorne’s heritage character. From 1939-1971 the building served the as the center of administration for the Bralorne and Pioneer Mines as well as the organizational operations of the community. In the fall of 2021, the Squamish Lillooet Regional District (SLRD) included the building on its Heritage Register, recognizing the heritage value of the structure locally and regionally. The Bridge River Valley Community Association (BRVCA) owns the building. The BRVCA sees the BPMO as an ideal place for bringing together diverse cultures, abilities, and generations of residents, visitors, and tourists for learning, teaching, as well as community and economic growth. The project is viewed as an opportunity to solidify the community’s past as a route to strengthen its future.

Planning for how to best use the building and conserve its heritage character has been ongoing since the BRVCA’s purchase in 2017. After securing grants the physical work began on the building in the spring of 2022. Leading up to this point numerous assessments of the building took place by professionals, including carpenters, construction managers, architects, structural, mechanical, and electrical engineers and a heritage planner. Through their work, the plans cover a scope of work that will ensure the stabilization of the building and meet all life and safety requirements set by BC Building Code applicable to a structure listed on a local Heritage Register and the Provincial Register and will meet the Standards and Guidelines for the Conservation of Historic Place in Canada.

The building permit application was submitted to the SLRD Building Department in December of 2021 and was approved in late March 2022. At that time a Construction Manager was engaged and began work. The following tasks were completed between March and the start of November 2022:

  • Site preparation and excavation work to expose the foundation
  • Removal of historic piping containing hazardous materials in underbuilding workspace
  • Clean out and targeted demolition of the interior
  • Temporary stabilization of front entry portico allowing for entryway access work
  • Installation of drainage system around and under the building
  • Repairs to the foundation from previous failed drainage damage
  • Repairs to framing caused by settlement and moisture damage
  • Stabilization of interior floors
  • Completion of interior sheer walls and new beam required to stabilize building
  • Reinforcement of rafter system to meet seismic requirements
  • Restoration of the entryway footer and stairs
  • Rough in for electrical and plumbing upgrades
  • Exterior construction of wheelchair accessible ramp and new entry roof
  • Accessible washroom framed

However, the Construction Manager left the job unexpectedly the week of September 26, 2022. The BRVCA has recently vetted a new Construction Manager and hopes to have a contract in place by Nov. 15, 2022. Presently working on site are a plumber and electrician with plans for the new Construction Manager and carpenters to be on site in mid- November to winterize the building.

Additional work needing completion in the coming months includes an upgrade of the watermain to allow for the installation of a sprinkler system, completion of the underbuilding drainage system, upgrading the mechanical and electrical systems, installation of one full size kitchen, one studio kitchen, two full bathrooms, a public wheelchair accessible bathroom and a powder room, interior and exterior restoration of finishes, doors and windows.

The above-mentioned changes will allow for the building in addition to a permanent home for the museum will include a flexible space that will be used for meetings and gatherings, space to display local art, a small theater room, a renovated caretakers suite and a studio apartment, office space, a wheelchair accessible washroom, an upgrade of the public laundry facility and improvements to the back courtyard.

The issues that have set back the timeline of the project include: the delay by the building permit due to the Regional District’s Building Department backlog, difficulty securing skilled carpenters to assist the Construction Manager, the subsequent departure of the Construction Manager and the rising costs of materials. While work continued during the period it has taken the BRVCA to secure a new Construction Manager, the scope of work completed without senior oversite has been limited for the past month. It is expected that the above issues will lead to at least an additional three-to-four-month delay in the completion of the project. It is expected that the remaining tasks to complete the building rehabilitation will be in late spring to early summer of 2023.

The Bridge River Valley Community Association is pleased to tell everyone that we have hired a new General Contractor, Tandem Builders.  You can learn more about Tandem Builders at https://www.tandembuilders.ca/

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