85 records – page 1 of 5.

Burnaby Heights "panhandling meter"

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription97994
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[2000]
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection
Description Level
File
Physical Description
2 photographs (tiff) : col.
Scope and Content
File contains photographs of Mark, a panhandler, on Hastings Street by a "panhandling meter" installed by the City of Burnaby. The meter reads: "This is not a parking meter / Spare change for social change."
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[2000]
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection
Physical Description
2 photographs (tiff) : col.
Description Level
File
Record No.
535-3098
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No restrictions
Accession Number
2018-12
Scope and Content
File contains photographs of Mark, a panhandler, on Hastings Street by a "panhandling meter" installed by the City of Burnaby. The meter reads: "This is not a parking meter / Spare change for social change."
Subjects
Public Services - Municipal Services
Planning - City Planning
Media Type
Photograph
Photographer
Bartel, Mario
Notes
Title based on caption
Collected by editorial for use in a February 2000 issue of the Burnaby NewsLeader
Caption from metadata for 535-3098-1: "Mark says he panhandles along Hastings St. when he's hungry and can't afford food. He says the new meters haven't affected his take."
Caption from metadata for 535-3098-2: "The new spare change meters haven't disuaded panhandlers, like Mark, from setting up shop along Hastings St. He says he panhandles when he needs money for food."
Geographic Access
Hastings Street
Carleton Avenue
Historic Neighbourhood
Vancouver Heights (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Burnaby Heights Area
Images
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Burnaby Mountain community consultation

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription97007
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[2000]
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph (tiff) : col.
Scope and Content
Photograph of Burnaby resident John Unger filing out a comment form at a open house and community consultation event about development plans for Burnaby Mountain, held at the Copeland Arena. Posters outlining the development plans are visible behind Unger.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[2000]
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection
Physical Description
1 photograph (tiff) : col.
Description Level
Item
Record No.
535-2539
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No restrictions
Accession Number
2018-12
Scope and Content
Photograph of Burnaby resident John Unger filing out a comment form at a open house and community consultation event about development plans for Burnaby Mountain, held at the Copeland Arena. Posters outlining the development plans are visible behind Unger.
Subjects
Public Services - Municipal Services
Planning - City Planning
Names
Bill Copeland Sports Centre
Media Type
Photograph
Photographer
Bartel, Mario
Notes
Title based on caption
Collected by editorial for use in a July 2000 issue of the Burnaby NewsLeader
Caption from metadata: "Burnaby residents, like John Unger, take the opportunity to fill out comment forms at an open house at Copeland Arena to unveil development plans for Burnaby Mountain."
Geographic Access
Burnaby Lake Sports Complex
Kensington Avenue
Street Address
3676 Kensington Avenue
Historic Neighbourhood
Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Ardingley-Sprott Area
Images
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Caila Anderson with traffic signs

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription97015
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[2000]
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph (tiff) : col.
Scope and Content
Photograph of Caila Anderson, an employee of International SPFX, standing with her arms crossed next to two traffic signs on Greenwood Street.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[2000]
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection
Physical Description
1 photograph (tiff) : col.
Description Level
Item
Record No.
535-2547
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No restrictions
Accession Number
2018-12
Scope and Content
Photograph of Caila Anderson, an employee of International SPFX, standing with her arms crossed next to two traffic signs on Greenwood Street.
Subjects
Planning - City Planning
Advertising Medium - Signs and Signboards
Geographic Features - Roads
Media Type
Photograph
Photographer
Bartel, Mario
Notes
Title based on caption
Collected by editorial for use in a July 2000 issue of the Burnaby NewsLeader
Caption from metadata: "Caila Anderson, of International SPFX, says new traffic regulations on Greenwood St. have made it really inconvenient for employees at the movie special effects company to get to and from their production offices. Residents on the street say the regulations haven't gone far enough."
Geographic Access
Greenwood Street
Historic Neighbourhood
Lozells (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Government Road Area
Images
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Margaret Manifold and the Community Asset Mapping System

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription96243
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[2005]
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection
Description Level
File
Physical Description
2 photographs (tiff) : col.
Scope and Content
File contains photographs of Margaret Manifold, of the City of Burnaby Planning Department, posing with print-outs of maps that will form the online Community Asset Mapping System. A large aerial photograph of Burnaby and the Lower Mainland is on the wall behind Manifold.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[2005]
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection
Physical Description
2 photographs (tiff) : col.
Description Level
File
Record No.
535-1927
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No restrictions
Accession Number
2018-12
Scope and Content
File contains photographs of Margaret Manifold, of the City of Burnaby Planning Department, posing with print-outs of maps that will form the online Community Asset Mapping System. A large aerial photograph of Burnaby and the Lower Mainland is on the wall behind Manifold.
Subjects
Occupations - Civic Workers
Documentary Artifacts - Maps
Planning - City Planning
Media Type
Photograph
Photographer
Medig, Kari
Notes
Title based on caption
Collected by editorial for use in a February 2005 issue of the Burnaby NewsLeader
Caption from metadata: "Margaret Manifold of the City of Burnaby's planning department poses with some hard copies of the online Community Assett Mapping System, which will soon be on the city's website."
Images
Less detail

SFU Geography class with maps

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription97099
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[2000]
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph (tiff) : col.
Scope and Content
Photograph of Mike Carr and Simon Fraser University Geography students Dallas Arcangel, Dave Crossley, Caoimhe Kehler and Peter Schaub with maps of "Salmonopolis." They are standing on the roof of an SFU building with forest and mountains visible in the background.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
[2000]
Collection/Fonds
Burnaby NewsLeader photograph collection
Physical Description
1 photograph (tiff) : col.
Description Level
Item
Record No.
535-2626
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No restrictions
Accession Number
2018-12
Scope and Content
Photograph of Mike Carr and Simon Fraser University Geography students Dallas Arcangel, Dave Crossley, Caoimhe Kehler and Peter Schaub with maps of "Salmonopolis." They are standing on the roof of an SFU building with forest and mountains visible in the background.
Subjects
Persons - Students
Documentary Artifacts - Maps
Planning - City Planning
Names
Simon Fraser University
Media Type
Photograph
Photographer
Bartel, Mario
Notes
Title based on caption
Collected by editorial for use in a July 2000 issue of the Burnaby NewsLeader
Caption from metadata: "SFU geography instructor Mike Carr, and his team of students (front to back), Dallas Arcangel, Dave Crossley, Caoimhe Kehler and Peter Schaub, examine the maps of "Salmonopolis" they've created as part of a plan to create a sustainable region."
Geographic Access
Burnaby Mountain Conservation Area
University Drive
Street Address
8888 University Drive
Planning Study Area
Burnaby Mountain Area
Images
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2007 Advisory Planning Commission portrait

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription90391
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
2007
Collection/Fonds
City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : col. ; 12.5 x 19 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of the 2007 Advisory Planning Commission. Commission members left to right are: Rana Dhatt, Joanne Tseng, Tony Coccia, David Pereira, Gurmukh Bhogal, and Kwangyoung Conn. Photograph is a studio portrait.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
2007
Collection/Fonds
City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds
Series
Council Committee series
Subseries
Advisory Planning Commission subseries
Physical Description
1 photograph : col. ; 12.5 x 19 cm
Description Level
Item
Record No.
527-002
Reproduction Restriction
No restrictions
Accession Number
2011-07
Scope and Content
Photograph of the 2007 Advisory Planning Commission. Commission members left to right are: Rana Dhatt, Joanne Tseng, Tony Coccia, David Pereira, Gurmukh Bhogal, and Kwangyoung Conn. Photograph is a studio portrait.
Subjects
Documentary Artifacts - Portraits
Officials - Alderman and Councillors
Officials - Commissioners
Media Type
Photograph
Notes
Title based on contents of photograph
Images
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Armstrong, Lyle - Burnaby Planning Director

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription58828
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1973
Collection/Fonds
Columbian Newspaper collection
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 8 x 5 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of Lyle Armstrong, Burnaby Planning Director.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1973
Collection/Fonds
Columbian Newspaper collection
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 8 x 5 cm
Description Level
Item
Record No.
480-1289
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only
Accession Number
2009-01
Scope and Content
Photograph of Lyle Armstrong, Burnaby Planning Director.
Subjects
Public Services - Municipal Services
Occupations - Civic Workers
Names
Armstrong, Lyle
Media Type
Photograph
Notes
Title based on contents of photograph
Images
Less detail

Planning the opening of the Community Centred College for the Retired

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription45231
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1979, published January 11, 1979
Collection/Fonds
Columbian Newspaper collection
Description Level
Item
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 15 x 19.5 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of the planning group for the official opening of the Community Centred College for the Retired. Seated around the table are; registrar Joanne Du Brall, consultant Darryl Adam, finance coordinator Owen Sheffield, resource coordinator Marion Haden and founder Mabel Dunham.
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date
1979, published January 11, 1979
Collection/Fonds
Columbian Newspaper collection
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 15 x 19.5 cm
Description Level
Item
Record No.
480-127
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
Reproduce for fair dealing purposes only
Accession Number
2003-02
Scope and Content
Photograph of the planning group for the official opening of the Community Centred College for the Retired. Seated around the table are; registrar Joanne Du Brall, consultant Darryl Adam, finance coordinator Owen Sheffield, resource coordinator Marion Haden and founder Mabel Dunham.
Subjects
Buildings - Schools - Universities and Colleges
Officials
Names
Du Brall, Joanne
Adam, Darryl
Sheffield, Owen
Haden, Marion
Dunham, Mabel
Community Centred College for the Retired
Media Type
Photograph
Notes
Title based on contents of photograph
Newspaper clipping attached to verso of photograph reads: "College official opening planned by registrar Joanne Du Brall, consultant Darryl Adam, finance co-ordinator Owen Sheffield, resource co-ordinator Marion Haden and founder Mabel Dunham. More than 500 seniors take advantage of non-profit institution."
Images
Less detail

Sussex-Nelson Neighbourhood

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/landmark838
Repository
Burnaby Heritage Planning
Associated Dates
1955-2008
Repository
Burnaby Heritage Planning
Associated Dates
1955-2008
Heritage Value
The Sussex-Nelson Neighbourhood is located just south of Metrotown and in 1980 was characterised as the most populated of all of Burnaby's Planning Study areas. The area immediately south of Metrotown was initially developed as post-war 1950s housing stock, while the sector south of Rumble was developed after the 1960s and 1970s as single-family housing.
Historic Neighbourhood
Alta Vista (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Sussex-Nelson Area
Images
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Oakalla Neighbourhood

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/landmark804
Repository
Burnaby Heritage Planning
Associated Dates
1955-2008
Repository
Burnaby Heritage Planning
Associated Dates
1955-2008
Heritage Value
The phasing out and demolition of the Oakalla Prison farm allowed for the planned development of the Oakalla Neighbourhood in the 1980s. By 1991, the City of Burnaby had adopted the Oakalla Development Plan which called for the transfer of land to the Deer Lake Park reserve as well as the creation of a new residential area consisting of multi-family housing types.
Historic Neighbourhood
Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Oakalla Area
Images
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Big Bend Neighbourhood

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/landmark840
Repository
Burnaby Heritage Planning
Associated Dates
1955-2008
Repository
Burnaby Heritage Planning
Associated Dates
1955-2008
Heritage Value
The Big Bend Neighbourhood in Burnaby maintained its status as an important agricultural area in the City in the years following 1955 and it also solidified its role as a prime industrial and commercial district. In 1972, the Big Bend Development Plan was adopted by Council and soon thereafter, approximately 620 acres of land were incorporated into the Agricultural Land Reserve. These lands have been set aside for agricultural and limited recreation purposes. By the 2000s, 160 acres of land were considered highly productive agricultural areas, and over 400 acres of land had been secured as parkland, including the Fraser Foreshore Park. The area also developed large commercial and industrial districts including those at Marine Way/Boundary, the Glenlyon Estates, Riverfront Business Park, Burnaby Business Park, and Glenwood Industrial Estates.
Historic Neighbourhood
Fraser Arm (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Big Bend Area
Images
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Burnaby Lake Neighbourhood

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/landmark821
Repository
Burnaby Heritage Planning
Associated Dates
1955-2008
Repository
Burnaby Heritage Planning
Associated Dates
1955-2008
Heritage Value
In 1966 Burnaby Lake was identified as a key potential regional park in the GVRD ’s Regional Park Plan for the Lower Mainland. The lake was to be developed for nature study, strolling, trail riding, canoeing, sightseeing and picnicking. It was formally recognized as a regional nature park in 1979, at which time the GVRD assumed management of the park through a lease agreement with the City of Burnaby. In 1993 Burnaby Lake was selected by the City of Burnaby to be included in Greater Vancouver ’s Green Zone, and was identified as a key component of the GVRD ’s Park and Outdoor Recreation System (PORS) for the Burrard/Peninsula/Richmond sector, which includes Burnaby, Vancouver, New Westminster, and Richmond.
Historic Neighbourhood
Burnaby Lake (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Burnaby Lake Area
Images
Less detail

Clinton-Glenwood Neighbourhood

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/landmark841
Repository
Burnaby Heritage Planning
Associated Dates
1955-2008
Repository
Burnaby Heritage Planning
Associated Dates
1955-2008
Heritage Value
The primarily single-family subdivision and development in the Clinton-Glenwood Neighbourhood occurred during the building boom of the 1950s. Later development fell under the guidelines established in the Royal Oak Community Plan (adopted in 1999) and resulted in an increase in the number of multi-family units.
Historic Neighbourhood
Alta Vista (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Clinton-Glenwood Area
Images
Less detail

Stride Avenue Neighbourhood

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/landmark845
Repository
Burnaby Heritage Planning
Associated Dates
1955-2008
Repository
Burnaby Heritage Planning
Associated Dates
1955-2008
Heritage Value
The interurban link between New Westminster and Vancouver stimulated the early settlement of Stride Avenue. Infilling of the area took place in the early 1950s and the pace of development had slowed considerably by 1970. Duplexes became a popular feature in the decade between 1970 and 1980 and in the late 1980s, the neighbourhood was incorporated into the Edmonds Town Centre South plan.
Historic Neighbourhood
Edmonds (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Stride Avenue Area
Images
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Stride Hill Neighbourhood

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/landmark846
Repository
Burnaby Heritage Planning
Associated Dates
1955-2008
Repository
Burnaby Heritage Planning
Associated Dates
1955-2008
Heritage Value
The residential areas that are located within the Stride Hill Neighbourhood were primarily developed in the 1950s during Burnaby's post-war building boom. The area lying to the south of Byrne Creek Ravine Park was used as a municipal garbage dump until the 1960s and as a landfill site for yard waste disposal until the early 1990s at which point the area was incorporated into the Edmonds Town Centre Plan and the land was made into park and open space.
Historic Neighbourhood
Edmonds (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Stride Hill Area
Images
Less detail

Windsor Neighbourhood

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/landmark803
Repository
Burnaby Heritage Planning
Associated Dates
1955-2008
Repository
Burnaby Heritage Planning
Associated Dates
1955-2008
Heritage Value
The Windsor Neighbourhood comprises a number of different districts with different characteristics. To the north, stretching to the border of the Deer Lake Park, is the primarily residential area that was developed after the building boom of the 1950s and now consists of a mix of single-family and multi-family housing. To the south, from Kingsway to the Skytrain line, an industrial area was maintained along with a significant commercial corridor along Kingsway. In recent years, the growth and development of this area has been guided by the Royal Oak Community Plan adopted by Council in 1999.
Planning Study Area
Windsor Area
Images
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Byrne Creek Secondary School

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/landmark849
Repository
Burnaby Heritage Planning
Associated Dates
2005
Street View URL
Google Maps Street View
Repository
Burnaby Heritage Planning
Geographic Access
18th Street
Associated Dates
2005
Heritage Value
Byrne Creek School opened in 2005 and accommodates students from grades 8 through 12. When built, the school was created to house as many as 1200 students, but by 2009, plans have been prepared to increase that capacity to 1500.
Historic Neighbourhood
Edmonds (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Stride Avenue Area
Street Address
7777 18th Street
Street View URL
Google Maps Street View
Images
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Sperling-Broadway Neighbourhood

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/landmark789
Repository
Burnaby Heritage Planning
Associated Dates
1955-2008
Repository
Burnaby Heritage Planning
Associated Dates
1955-2008
Heritage Value
By the 1970s, the Sperling-Broadway Neighbourhood was characterised as one of the Municipality's fastest growing residential areas. In 1980, it was estimated that slightly less than half of the homes were single-family residences, while the remaining development was taking the form of townhouse and high-rise apartments. The emphasis shifted back to single family housing during the construction of planned subdivisions such as the Camrose subdivision in the 1980s and the area remains primarily residential in nature. The neighbourhood is well-served by park facilities and is also home to the Burnaby Mountain Golf Course.
Historic Neighbourhood
Lochdale (Historic Neighbourhood)
Planning Study Area
Sperling-Broadway Area
Images
Less detail

Interview with Don Brown by Rod Fowler February 26, 1990 - Track 11

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory512
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date Range
1979-1990
Length
00:09:05
Summary
This portion of the interview is about Don Brown’s service as Alderman (1979-1985), his support for Bill Copeland in 1987 and conflicts with Mayor Bill Lewarne, and some of the issues he dealt with such as illegal suites, density planning and highrises for Hastings
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Summary
This portion of the interview is about Don Brown’s service as Alderman (1979-1985), his support for Bill Copeland in 1987 and conflicts with Mayor Bill Lewarne, and some of the issues he dealt with such as illegal suites, density planning and highrises for Hastings
Date Range
1979-1990
Photo Info
Royal Canadian Mounted Police Sergeant Don Brown, November 2, 1997. Item no. 535-0979
Length
00:09:05
Names
Copeland, William J
Lewarne, William A. "Bill"
Subjects
Officials - Aldermen and Councillors
Planning
Elections
Interviewer
Fowler, Rod
Interview Date
February 26, 1990
Scope and Content
Recording is of an interview with Don Brown, conducted by Rod Fowler. Don Brown was one of eleven participants interviewed as part of the SFU/Burnaby Centennial Committee's oral history series titled, "Voices of Burnaby". The interview is mainly about Don Brown’s description of the changes in Burnaby’s built and natural landscapes and socioeconomic conditions, especially between 1947 and 1975, the strong impression made on him by those changes evident in the interview. He talks about his work and career as a police officer with the Burnaby Provincial Police and RCMP. The interview also details his involvement in Burnaby politics and volunteer community groups. To view “Narrow By” terms for each track expand this description and see “Notes”.
Biographical Notes
Donald Neil “Don” Brown was born in Birmingham, England May 4, 1919, and immigrated with his parents and siblings to Winnipeg in 1922. At the outbreak of WWII Don Brown left high school and enlisted in the 12th Field Company, Royal Canadian Engineers, serving six years in the army. Before going overseas he married Helen Birch in 1939. In 1947 Don Brown joined the B.C. Provincial Police which was absorbed by the RCMP in 1950. He worked as a police officer in Burnaby from 1947 to 1954, and then was transferred to Ottawa (with a stop in Regina) for nine and a half years where he attended Carleton University to study forensics. In 1963 Don Brown was transferred back to Vancouver and bought and moved into a house on Watling Street in Burnaby where he still lived in 1990. Another transfer took him to Edmonton for five years, returning to Burnaby in 1975. Following retirement in 1980 with the rank of Supervisor and after 22 years in forensic laboratories, Don Brown started his own business as a private document examiner. Don Brown was active in Burnaby politics, serving as Alderman from 1979-1985. He was also involved in many community groups including the South Burnaby Men’s Club, which he helped found in 1952, as well as active in the Burnaby Historical Society, and served on the Burnaby School Board, Burnaby Centennial Committee, and the Community College for the Retired. Don and Helen Brown had six children: Donna, Don, Gina, Patricia, Christopher and Susan. Don Brown died May 16, 2009.
Total Tracks
14
Total Length
01:35:07
Interviewee Name
Brown, Donald N. "Don"
Interviewer Bio
Rod Fowler returned to university as a mature student in the 1980s after working about twenty years in the field of economics and computerization in business in England, Europe and Western Canada. He graduated with a BA from SFU in both History and Sociology in 1987, his MA degree in Geography in 1989, and his PhD in Cultural Geography at SFU. He taught courses in Geography, Sociology, History and Canadian Studies at several Lower Mainland colleges, before becoming a full time member of the Geography Department at Kwantlen University College.
Collection/Fonds
SFU/Burnaby Centennial Committee fonds
Series
Centennial Oral History project series
Transcript Available
Transcript available
Media Type
Sound Recording
Web Notes
Interviews were digitized in 2015 allowing them to be accessible on Heritage Burnaby. The digitization project was initiated by the Community Heritage Commission with support from City of Burnaby Council.
Images
Audio Tracks

Track eleven of interview with Don Brown

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Interview with Merrill M. Gordon by Rod Fowler March 19, 1990 - Track 8

https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/oralhistory479
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Date Range
1956-1990
Length
00:10:17
Summary
This portion of the interview is about Merrill Gordon’s founding and operation of the youth soccer exchange with Washington State, and the importance of soccer to the community. He discusses the problem of isolation between north and south Burnaby, planned development in Burnaby, and the contributi…
Repository
City of Burnaby Archives
Summary
This portion of the interview is about Merrill Gordon’s founding and operation of the youth soccer exchange with Washington State, and the importance of soccer to the community. He discusses the problem of isolation between north and south Burnaby, planned development in Burnaby, and the contributions of Ratepayer groups and volunteers
Date Range
1956-1990
Photo Info
Burnaby Alderman Merrill Gordon (second from right) following a candidates' meeting, 1973. Item no. 480-263
Length
00:10:17
Subjects
Persons - Volunteers
Sports - Soccer
Public Services - Municipal Services
Planning
Interviewer
Fowler, Rod
Interview Date
March 19, 1990
Scope and Content
Recording is of an interview with Merrill Gordon, conducted by Rod Fowler.Gordon Merrill was one of eleven participants interviewed as part of the SFU/Burnaby Centennial Committee's oral history series titled, "Voices of Burnaby". The interview is about Merrill Gordon’s childhood in the Depression, including his story about the family’s difficult trek to Burnaby from Alberta; his education, teachers and first volunteer activities at Grandview High School; his career at Fleck Brothers and the start of his own company Blaze Industries and later work in India; and his many volunteer activities in Burnaby. He describes how he started the Cliff Avenue United Football Club, the soccer club's subsequent growth and development, some of the people involved, and the founding of the youth soccer exchange. He also describes his work on the Parks Board and in the arts community, including the 1987 arts centre referendum, and involvement with the Burnaby Mountain Preservation Society (1988- ), and mentions his work for other groups including the New Vista Society, library board, and Burnaby Mental Health Committee. He also talks about his political career with the Better Burnaby Committee and Burnaby Voters Association, resulting in his 1972 election to Burnaby’s 1973 council. To view “Narrow By” terms for each track expand this description and see “Notes”.
Biographical Notes
Merrill M. Gordon was born in Saskatchewan in 1929 to parents farming north of North Battleford. After a fifth year of crop failure the family of four left the farm in 1934 to join relatives living near the corner of Union and Sperling in Burnaby. With little resources the family adapted as well as possible in the Depression years, moving often in the East Vancouver/North Burnaby area in an attempt to better their situation. Merrill’s father obtained work at sawmills including Kapoor’s Sawmill at Barnet, walking to work over Burnaby Mountain. After attending numerous public schools, Merrill Gordon eventually spent three years at Templeton School and then completed his education at Grandview High School of Commerce, majoring in accounting and commercial law. He worked a few years at Canadian Industries Ltd., then joined Fleck Brothers. In 1965 Merrill Gordon and his wife started their own company Blaze Industries of Canada that manufactured wood burning fireplaces, selling the company to AB Electrolux in 1980. After a short retirement, Merrill Gordon went back to work in 1981 for a company manufacturing solar panels, one project taking him and his wife intermittently to India over a four year period. Merrill Gordon helped found the political group Better Burnaby Committee, later the Burnaby Voters Association, with Alan Emmott and Bill Lewarne, ran for Burnaby Municipal Council and served one year as councillor in 1973. Merrill Gordon is well known for his over 40 years of volunteer work in Burnaby, particularly as founder in 1956 and director of the Cliff Avenue United Football Club, one of the largest soccer clubs in BC. He was also the founder of Burnaby Youth Soccer and the first youth soccer exchange with Washington State. His other volunteer work includes library trustee, Parks Commissioner (1987-1992), Director of New Vista Home for Seniors, Chair of campaign raising funds for building Shadbolt Arts Centre, and Chair of the Burnaby Mental Health Committee. In 1988 Merrill Gordon, Betty Gordon, Dean Lamont and several others formed the Burnaby Mountain Preservation Society, which advocated for the return of unused land to Burnaby from SFU and the subsequent creation of Burnaby Mountain Conservation Area. Merrill Gordon and Elizabeth Balfour (nee Leitch) (1926-2012) married in 1953 and had two children.
Total Tracks
11
Total Length
1:31:44
Interviewee Name
Gordon, Merrill
Interview Location
unknown
Interviewer Bio
Rod Fowler returned to university as a mature student in the 1980s after working about twenty years in the field of economics and computerization in business in England, Europe and Western Canada. He graduated with a BA from SFU in both History and Sociology in 1987, his MA degree in Geography in 1989, and his PhD in Cultural Geography at SFU. He taught courses in Geography, Sociology, History and Canadian Studies at several Lower Mainland colleges, before becoming a full time member of the Geography Department at Kwantlen University College.
Collection/Fonds
SFU/Burnaby Centennial Committee fonds
Series
Centennial Oral History project series
Transcript Available
Transcript available
Media Type
Sound Recording
Web Notes
Interviews were digitized in 2015 allowing them to be accessible on Heritage Burnaby. The digitization project was initiated by the Community Heritage Commission with support from City of Burnaby Council.
Images
Audio Tracks

Track eight of interview with Merrill Gordon

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85 records – page 1 of 5.