Surrey is taking its first step toward creating a heritage foundation, which could advance the preservation of historic sites throughout the city.

A corporate report to council Monday requested $5,000 to explore the feasibility of creating such a foundation.

Several other cities, including Vancouver, Victoria and Quebec, have heritage foundations which raise funds for and awareness of historical issues. Over the years, there has been a consistent call for a similar foundation in this city.

That call was formalized by the Heritage Advisory Commission (HAC) earlier this year, after the city bulldozed two heritage homes.

In May, Surrey council voted at an in-camera meeting to destroy the Henry Parr and Hugh Currie homes. The public and the HAC were kept in the dark until The Leader broke the story in June.

Coun. Barbara Steele, also the chair of the commission, called the demolition “a huge error” and committed to hiring a consultant to explore the possibility of creating a heritage foundation.

The corporate report to council Monday indicates the foundation could serve at least four functions, including:

• Raising funds to finance programs to protect Surrey’s heritage resources;

• Distributing funds to owners of protected heritage buildings;

• Providing grants to groups and individuals that advance Surrey’s heritage;

• Education and awareness.

In addition, the city will be hiring a consultant to perform a heritage inventory to determine which properties should be added to the heritage register.

kdiakiw@surreyleader.com

Events leading up to the latest call for a heritage foundation: