March 2, 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 SLRD included the building on its Heritage Register, recognizing the heritage value of the structure locally and regionally.
The BRVCA purchased the building in 2017 with the two-fold goals to move the Bralorne Pioneer Museum into the space for its permanent home and to ensure that the building would stand and be usable for generations to come. The building indecently served as the Museum’s first home after the Whiting’s purchased the building 1972. In the 1980s the Museum moved to the Bralorne High School’s Industrial Engineering Building, built in the 1950s, located to the east of the baseball field. Unfortunately, this building had neither heating, plumbing, nor insulation, a failing roof and foundation. While it served well enough for many years as the Museum’s home, the unstable climate in the building led to the artifacts deteriorating. With the interest of preserving the Museum’s collections the Museum leased and moved to the Post Office building in 2014. In addition to housing the museum at the BPMO the building will also include a flexible space that could be used for meetings and gatherings, space to display local art, a small theater room, a renovated caretakers suite, office space, an accessible washroom, an upgrade of the public laundry facility and improvements to the back courtyard. The rehabilitation of the BPMO will require a change of use from residential to assembly.
While planning for how to best use the building and conserve its heritage character has been ongoing since the BRVCA’s purchase the start date for work to begin on the building is finally within sight this spring. Leading up to this point assessments of the building took place by professionals, including carpenters, construction managers, architects, structural, mechanical, and electrical engineers. The proposed scope of work 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. Some of this work includes improving the drainage around the building, meeting seismic requirements, upgrading the mechanical and electrical systems, improving wheelchair accessibility into the building, upgrade of the watermain, the installation of a sprinkler system, interior and exterior restoration of finishes and windows. The building permit application was submitted to the SLRD Building Department in December of 2021 and is expected to be approved by mid-March 2022. It is the hope of the BRVCA to work with as many local trades to complete the work as possible and to complete the work on the building by the late spring of 2023.
Since the purchase of the building the BRVCA and the Museum have succeeded obtaining the much of the grant funding to complete the work. Grants have been secured through the Unique Heritage Infrastructure stream of the Community Economic Recovery Infrastructure Program (CERIP), the Northern Development Cultural Initiative Infrastructure Program, the BC Arts Infrastructure Program and the Canadian Enabling Accessibility Fund. An additional grant application is currently pending with the and the Canada Community Revitalization Fund. The award of these grants shows that there is both a provincial and federal recognition of the value of this project.
The Bralorne Pioneer Mines Office is 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.
