Heritage bylaw considered
George Singh, left, and Ted Hewlett started a campaign to save Kensington school in 2008.
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Updated: August 06, 2009 4:37 PM
A bylaw that would protect the oldest part of Kensington Prairie Elementary will be brought to public hearing in September, after receiving first and second reading at Surrey council.
In March 2008, the city obtained the 95-year-old school, at 16824 32 Ave., as a result of a land exchange with the Surrey School District.
According to a report, it was deemed appropriate to use the building as a community centre, providing recreation to the Grandview Heights/Morgan Creek/Rosemary Heights community while the area continues to develop and its population grows.
The designation bylaw has been approved by the Surrey Heritage Advisory Commission, Parks Recreation and Culture Department, civic facilities and realty and legal services.
The bylaw would protect features associated with the original Kensington Prairie school that convey its heritage value, including its location on a prominent rise at the corner of 168 Street and 32 Avenue, wood-frame construction, tapered porch columns, internal brick chimney and original windows.
A planning and development report describes the school – which opened in 1914 as a two-room schoolhouse – as a significant example of architecture that typified educational institutions at the time, with separate boys' and girls' entrances, wall gables and windows banked on the east and west sides to allow for abundant natural light and sufficient wall space for large blackboards.
The public hearing is to be held at 7 p.m. Sept. 14 at city hall.
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