New look for legislature grounds: more security and better seating
The grounds of the B.C. legislature are getting a new look to boost security and provide new places to sit and view the scenery.
The plan includes new benches and other seating surrounding raised lawns next to Belleville Street. “You can just sit there and just soak in the Inner Harbour,” said Randy Spraggett, manager of capital planning and development for the legislative assembly of B.C. “Right now, you can’t sit anywhere except the lawn.”
The work is expected to start after a successful bidder is chosen next month. Weather-permitting, the project should be finished by Dec. 18.
Hilary Woodward, executive financial officer for the legislative assembly, said the proposed layout has been designed to encourage public enjoyment of the grounds.
Most years, about 280 events are held on the grounds of the legislature. At the cenotaph, the public area will be enlarged to accommodate crowds during Remembrance Day ceremonies and other events, including new seating around the perimeter.
There will be new features to protect against security threats, including from vehicles, using a combination of retractable and stationary bollards.
Early this month, a man driving a truck rammed the gates of Rideau Hall in Ottawa.
Other changes include doubling the width of the sidewalk along Belleville Street and planting a dogwood tree at Belleville and Menzies streets. The Pacific dogwood blossom is B.C.’s floral emblem.
A large sequoia tree next to Belleville Street is obscuring the existing 8.2-metretall Douglas obelisk, which will be moved a few metres, Spraggett said.
Fencing will be installed around the sequoia because many people try to climb it, he said. Not only is there a fear that someone could fall and be injured, but branches could be damaged.
A survey found higher than acceptable levels of cadmium, a heavy metal, in a portion of the lawn, which will be removed. It’s not known where it came from, Spraggett said.