In the heart of Ambleside, one of the oldest homes in the Lower Mainland is undergoing a transformative revival. The Navvy Jack House, built in the 1870s and steeped in West Vancouver’s early settler and Indigenous history, is set to reopen not as a museum but as a vibrant, heritage-rich bistro and wine bar. With its restoration and redevelopment now in full swing, this iconic structure is poised to become a new gathering place along the shoreline—where history meets hospitality.

A Landmark with Layers of History

Perched at 1768 & 1770 Argyle Avenue, the Navvy Jack House occupies a prominent waterfront site adjacent to Lawson Creek. Its builder, John “Navvy Jack” Thomas, was a Welsh navy deserter who ferried people across Burrard Inlet and popularized the gravel mix that still bears his nickname. Constructed between 1872 and 1874, the home is believed to be the longest continuously occupied residence in the region.

Over the years, it also housed John Lawson, considered the "father" of West Vancouver. His tenure there and the home’s proximity to the water and Swy-Wee Lagoon (now a duck pond) underscore its historical, architectural, and ecological value.

Despite facing demolition in 2020, public advocacy from the Navvy Jack House Citizen Group convinced the District to reconsider. What followed was a comprehensive feasibility study and a professionally guided Heritage Conservation Plan that paved the way for its future as a cultural hub.

A Thoughtful Approach to Preservation and Use

The restoration project, led by Architectural Collective and developer Carrera Management Corporation, adheres to Parks Canada’s rigorous conservation standards. The approach emphasizes preservation, minimal intervention, and the careful replication of original features—from cedar siding to century-old floorboards. Where elements are missing or too deteriorated to repair, replacements will match the original in material and form.

Plans call for a 1,206 sq ft restoration of the original house and a 768 sq ft west-side addition, capped with a 624 sq ft patio space. The new bistro will accommodate up to 144 seats and feature a commercial kitchen, indoor dining space, and retractable patio walls. Though the structure will be raised to address coastal flooding concerns, it will remain on-site—maintaining its physical and cultural ties to the land.

Notably, the project incorporates Indigenous perspectives and artwork. Collaboration with the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh Nations will influence how the site reflects shared histories and recognizes traditional territory.

Navigating Permits, Community Input, and Environmental Stewardship

The project has cleared critical regulatory hurdles, including the Environmental and Foreshore Development Permits approved in December 2024. These approvals account for the site’s sensitive location near Lawson Creek and the ocean’s edge, integrating flood control and riparian protection into the design.

Community feedback, especially on issues like access and parking, was collected during the application process. Though these concerns were outside the development permit’s scope, they are being addressed through the lease agreement with the operator.

In terms of sustainability, the restoration aligns with national best practices for adaptive reuse, reducing construction waste and conserving the building's embodied energy. Landscaping by Prospect & Refuge enhances native plantings while protecting existing trees and ecological features.

A New Chapter at the Water’s Edge

The Navvy Jack House restoration marks more than just a heritage win—it’s a vision for how communities can preserve their past while creating inclusive, vibrant spaces for the future. Through the combined efforts of local government, passionate citizens, First Nations, and private investment, this former residence will soon serve coffee, wine, and a generous helping of West Vancouver’s rich history.

Curious how a 150-year-old home is becoming Ambleside’s newest waterfront destination? We’re following the Navvy Jack House transformation closely—because understanding where we’ve been shapes where we’re going. Want to stay in the loop on community-shaping projects like this one? We’d love to keep you informed.

A long-awaited athletic facility is finally becoming reality in the heart of West Vancouver. The West Vancouver Place for Sport — a state-of-the-art track and field complex at West Vancouver Secondary School — is entering its final phase of construction and is expected to fully open by mid to late June 2025.

With the Harry Jerome Oval as its centrepiece, the new facility is set to serve students, athletes, and the broader community for years to come, transforming a previously aging and underperforming field into a vibrant sports destination.

A Vision Years in the Making

Plans to revitalize the aging sports field at West Vancouver Secondary School (WVSS) date back over a decade. Community consultations between 2014 and 2015 helped shape the vision for what would become the West Vancouver Place for Sport. The project was born from the 2011 District of West Vancouver Sport Field Master Plan, which highlighted the pressing need for more high-quality artificial turf in the area.

Now, that vision is finally materializing. After years of planning, public engagement, and a grassroots fundraising effort, the facility officially opened in December 2024. While the core infrastructure is already in place, the final piece — the rubberized surface of the six-lane Harry Jerome Oval — is currently being installed, with completion targeted for June 2025.

A Community-Focused Facility

At the heart of the Place for Sport is inclusivity and accessibility. Designed for school athletics, club competitions, and casual community use alike, the facility offers:

• A six-lane synthetic track with advanced shock absorption for performance and safety

• A lit artificial turf field suited for multiple sports

• Dedicated areas for long jump, high jump, pole vault, triple jump, and shotput

• Training zones for discus, hammer, and javelin

• Public washrooms, open outside school hours

• Improved access pathways and ample parking

The track — named the Harry Jerome Oval in honour of one of Canada’s most celebrated athletes — will be open daily until 10 p.m., aligning with the Ambleside turf field’s hours. When not booked by organized sport groups, the track will be available for public walking and training, continuing a longstanding community tradition at the site.

Funding the Future of West Vancouver Athletics

The Place for Sport represents a powerful example of public-private partnership. Spearheaded by the District of West Vancouver and West Vancouver Schools (WVS), the project was funded through a blend of municipal contributions, provincial grants, school board funding, and extensive community donations.

A major financial boost came via the BC Ministry of Municipal Affairs' Growing Communities Fund, while local citizens, families, sports organizations, and even schools contributed to the fundraising campaign — a grassroots effort that began in 2015 with a $100,000 donation from the West Vancouver Football (Soccer) Club.

According to Mayor Mark Sager, this collaboration has resulted in "an incredible opportunity and asset for West Vancouver, its residents, and athletes of tomorrow." Minister Anne Kang echoed the sentiment, calling it a “destination for young people to train, compete and have fun,” and praising the District as a provincial leader in community-driven development.

Built to Last — and Built Together

The facility’s long-term operation is governed by a Joint Use Agreement between the District and WVS. Responsibilities are shared: the District oversees the artificial turf, while WVS handles the track. Rental income and dedicated annual contributions will be directed into a fund to ensure the future replacement of both the turf and track surfaces.

From construction schedules to parking logistics, attention has been paid to minimizing disruption while maximizing public benefit. A traffic study confirmed that existing on-site parking is sufficient for future demand, and the renovated public washrooms opened in March 2025 to ensure year-round comfort for all users.

The Final Sprint

As of May 2025, the facility is temporarily closed while crews install the rubber surface on the track — a crucial upgrade that improves both safety and performance. Work began on May 5 and is expected to take approximately six weeks, weather permitting. In the meantime, the base asphalt track layer may still be used in limited capacity.

Once reopened, the West Vancouver Place for Sport will mark a new era in community recreation and youth athletics — not only as a training ground, but as a symbol of what’s possible when vision meets collaboration.

Curious how this new facility could change the game for West Vancouver? We’re keeping a close eye on developments like the Place for Sport to help our clients stay connected to what’s happening in their community. Want to be one of them?