[Rusty Gull]

The City of North Vancouver is celebrating the completion of a landmark building in the heart of the City, marking the official opening of the North Vancouver City Library and Spirit Square Civic Plaza.

On Saturday, September 20th from 11:00am-3:00pm, Mayor Darrell Mussatto, members of Council and the Library board, as well as special guests and dignitaries will lead a community celebration that recognizes the importance of literacy and library services to the City.

The outdoor, literary-themed, family-friendly celebration takes place in Central Lonsdale, beginning with an official ceremony at the Main Stage and the unveiling of commemorative plaques.

Occupying three floors totaling 3,200 square meters, the new North Vancouver City Library is a state of the art facility. Library amenities include an expanded collection of 150,000 items, as well as public computers, wireless access, a study hall, community meeting rooms, a children's reading garden, an area for teens, a café on the plaza level, public art, and underground parking.

The adjoining Spirit Square Civic Plaza connects the new Library with City Hall and Lonsdale Avenue, providing the community with easy access to the City's newest civic facility. The Civic Plaza features a wireless café terrace, market promenade, amphitheatre and outdoor reading rooms. Funded in part by the Provincial Government's B.C. Spirit Squares program, the new Civic Plaza provides a unique and welcoming gathering place for the community.

The public is invited to join the City for a unique and exciting celebration in Central Lonsdale. The official opening celebration takes place from 11:00am to 3:00pm in the Spirit Square Civic Plaza, located at West 14th Street and Lonsdale.

http://www.cnv.org/c//data/2/220/LibraryCivicCentre_08.jpg

http://www.cnv.org/c//data/2/220/LibraryCivicCentre_06.jpg

[deasine]

Wow... it looks great! Something very different and fresh for the lonsdale area =)

[CameronT120]

Wow... it looks great! Something very different and fresh for the lonsdale area =)

Now if we could only get rid of the NIMBYs and bring the rest of Lonsdale up to speed.

[Distill3d]

Now if we could only get rid of the NIMBYs and bring the rest of Lonsdale up to speed.

i agree...that damn Safeway on 13 Avenue is making this place look like the ghetto.

[Rusty Gull]

Unfortunately, Central Lonsdale is becoming somewhat ghettoized compared to up-and-coming Lower Lonsdale, in part because of the old grocery stores like Extra Foods and Safeway.

The library is at least a start in the right direction in terms of turning this area around, though.

[Pinion]

Unfortunately, Central Lonsdale is becoming somewhat ghettoized compared to up-and-coming Lower Lonsdale, in part because of the old grocery stores like Extra Foods and Safeway.

The library is at least a start in the right direction in terms of turning this area around, though.

Interesting you say that considering I've been regretting choosing lower over central due to the lack of stores/life/etc. in lower. Just the slope of the hill alone kills the neighbourhood.

[Distill3d]

^i agree. i prefer my CL apartment because of the convenience of transit, grocery stores, shopping, and restaurants.

all the new Lower Lonsdale apartments really offer is proximity and a great view of downtown. that said, i could get a better view from Chesterfield Avenue and 13 Street when those two towers are finished.

[thedjraw]

Sorry off topic a bit... but does anyone know whats going on with the Extra Foods on 17th and Lonsdale? I drove by today and saw it was all fenced in... are they starting demo already? Thanks!

[Distill3d]

Sorry off topic a bit... but does anyone know whats going on with the Extra Foods on 17th and Lonsdale? I drove by today and saw it was all fenced in... are they starting demo already? Thanks!

woah! you're right! don't know what's going on there...check the North Shore News.

[Rusty Gull]

To each his own.

Central Lonsdale is great for those working on the North Shore, or retirees who need access to Lions Gate Hospital. The area has a nice view of Grouse Mountain - not to mention Burrard Inlet. It is famous for being the heart of "Little Persia", with its many Iranian bakeries, delis, shops. It is also the civic heart of North Van City, with RCMP headquarters, library, city hall etc.

Lower Lonsdale is better for working stiffs who use the Seabus every day. It is a century-plus-old neighbourhood with an impressive stock of historic buildings and homes. Not to mention the grittiness from being a waterfront neighbourhood, with proximity to railyards, grain terminal, shipyards, etc. It is also much more eclectic in terms of its retail environment and restaurants.

Lower Lonsdale was neglected since the 1950s, while Central Lonsdale was the "it" neighbourhood.

That trend is now reversing, and the future seems to be in Lower Lonsdale. A lot of this, of course, has to do with public transit - specifically the SeaBus.

Personally, I like both areas. But Lower Lonsdale's proximity to downtown Vancouver is the trump card. And I suspect that's what is reflected in the higher real estate prices.

[Pinion]

To each his own.

Central Lonsdale is great for those working on the North Shore, or retirees who need access to Lions Gate Hospital. The area has a nice view of Grouse Mountain - not to mention Burrard Inlet. It is famous for being the heart of "Little Persia", with its many Iranian bakeries, delis, shops. It is also the civic heart of North Van City, with RCMP headquarters, library, city hall etc.

Lower Lonsdale is better for working stiffs who use the Seabus every day. It is a century-plus-old neighbourhood with an impressive stock of historic buildings and homes. Not to mention the grittiness from being a waterfront neighbourhood, with proximity to railyards, grain terminal, shipyards, etc. It is also much more eclectic in terms of its retail environment and restaurants.

Lower Lonsdale was neglected since the 1950s, while Central Lonsdale was the "it" neighbourhood.

That trend is now reversing, and the future seems to be in Lower Lonsdale. A lot of this, of course, has to do with public transit - specifically the SeaBus.

Personally, I like both areas. But Lower Lonsdale's proximity to downtown Vancouver is the trump card. And I suspect that's what is reflected in the higher real estate prices.


I thought the seabus would be the advantage too but my parents moved to CL and my dad can get to his work on the same block (north Granville) as mine faster by taking the bus on 15th over Lions Gate.

LL has nicer looking, newer condos/homes, but that's really it. And my place was built in 1975.

Maybe the seawall, if it is ever built, will bring some advantage to LL.

[Rusty Gull]

I thought the seabus would be the advantage too but my parents moved to CL and my dad can get to his work on the same block (north Granville) as mine faster by taking the bus on 15th over Lions Gate.



Yes, but keep in mind that there are a lot of North Van-2-downtown commuters who will happily ride the SeaBus to work, but wouldn't be caught dead taking the bus.

[SpongeG]

my friend lives in north van and he takes the bus and avoids the seabus - its much quicker and easier to get one bus directly downtown

[Distill3d]

^only time i take the SeaBus is if i'm not in a hurry or i have to catch the #50 to goto the False Creek office. otherwise its just much quicker to take the 240/241 from 15th and Lonsdale.

[jozero]

How is it quicker catching a bus versus the seabus? The seabus takes 12 minutes to get to downtown. Now if you live in Central lonsdale and you have to bus / walk down to seabus, that has nothing to do with how long the seabus takes.

Anyone know what happened with the Pier project? I thought they were going to announce their plans, after they stopped in November, by Mid December.

I wish Lower Lonsdale had a decent bookstore, other than that with the farmers market, IGA, Movie theater, stores on lower lonsdale and on 3rd I don't need to leave it for local needs.

[Rusty Gull]

^Check out Book Lovers at 3rd and St. Georges -- selling used books. It's not for everyone, but it's quite the adventure...

[Distill3d]

How is it quicker catching a bus versus the seabus? The seabus takes 12 minutes to get to downtown. Now if you live in Central lonsdale and you have to bus / walk down to seabus, that has nothing to do with how long the seabus takes.

the buses run more frequently than the SeaBus. and pendent on where you live in North Vancouver, it is less time consuming than taking the SeaBus.

[Pinion]

How is it quicker catching a bus versus the seabus? The seabus takes 12 minutes to get to downtown. Now if you live in Central lonsdale and you have to bus / walk down to seabus, that has nothing to do with how long the seabus takes.

12 minutes is a stretch. The seabus takes 15 minutes including loading and unloading. The walk across the railroad track overpass to Waterfront station takes about 3 minutes. 5 minutes during rush.

Then you need to factor in buses because almost no one lives RIGHT next to the seabus. Not much residential there. That's at least five minutes waiting to transfer. I'm close enough to walk from third but it's still slower than the bus.

I would've thought the seabus would be faster too but my dad consistently gets to work and back faster than me from farther away as mentioned before. Can't argue with actual results.

[officedweller]

the buses run more frequently than the SeaBus. and pendent on where you live in North Vancouver, it is less time consuming than taking the SeaBus.

I've also heard people at my office say the same thing. Friends who live just off Capilano Road also say their bus over Lions Gate is faster than transferring to Seabus.

[jozero]

Fair enough, for some people its faster, for some slower. I find taking the seabus and then skytrain far more time efficient - since it very, very rarely off time. Both the seabus and skytrain obviously never have to contend with car traffic.

I wish the stretch of stores near Cap mall were in a more walkable area from the Lower Lonsdale core. Perhaps the new trail will fix it.

I have only lived in North Vancouver for slightly over a year but so far am super impressed. Why I don't like however is the bizarre bike trails that randomly cut off for blocks at a time and then restart again. Also I dont understand the seemingly random assortment of areas that don't have sidewalks, or street lights for that matter. For example 1st street near moody ave is insanely dark. Again, hopefully this will improve with the new trail since it uses 1st.

Out of curiosity which bus runs to downtown more frequently than the seabus?

[Rusty Gull]

^Probably the 240. You have to catch it at 15th and Lonsdale, though. If you're coming from Lower Lonsdale, it's always faster to take the SeaBus. The 239 is slow, crowded and unreliable -- and you still have to transfer at some point on Marine Drive.

I still would take the SeaBus anyday over the bus. And most people seem to agree. The SeaBus moves thousands every hour across the inlet. And it almost never runs late.

[Distill3d]

^the 240/241 tandem during peak hours. there is a bus to downtown on average every 5 minutes from Lonsdale and 15 Street.

the longest time its ever taken me to get over the bridge was 25 minutes, but on average its just shy of 14 minutes from Lonsdale and 15 Street to Georgia and Burrard.

[Distill3d]

so, uh, do i have to walk up and take a picture of the new library seeing as how its open now?

[Rusty Gull]

^Yes please.

I like the new library -- my only disappointment with it is that it is not right on Lonsdale, but is instead tucked away in the "civic square".

But judging by the local reaction to it, I think North Vancouver has a winner on its hands.

[jozero]

I can't believe the library rents PS3 / Xbox and Wii games !

I was there today and they are finishing the area in front of the library. I'll reserve judgement until its done, but it seems a bit cement heavy with a lack of 'sit on a ledge' areas on a nice summer day.

[hollywoodnorth]

any photos of the facility?

[jozero]

Not sure how to post full pictures, not the thumbnails.

http://thumbnails2.imagebam.com/2579/0d580f25782784.gif (http://www.imagebam.com/image/0d580f25782784) http://thumbnails8.imagebam.com/2579/2938da25782787.gif (http://www.imagebam.com/image/2938da25782787) http://thumbnails16.imagebam.com/2579/7004a325782789.gif (http://www.imagebam.com/image/7004a325782789) http://thumbnails6.imagebam.com/2579/deabe125782791.gif (http://www.imagebam.com/image/deabe125782791)

Can take pics of the inside if you like. It is quite office like. While I would love a musty NY library style this modern take is alright. Store in the middle is a gelato / coffee place.

[officedweller]

Nice, thanks. Looks very academic (think 1960s university buildings)

[johnjimbc]

Is this by any chance from the same architect as the firm that designed the new Lynn Valley library? They are different but have similar qualities.

[hollywoodnorth]

looks great :)

[osirisboy]

looks good, what are the plans for the old library?

[Distill3d]

some pics from today of the Library and Spirit Square (apparently this is what it is called):

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j155/starfcuk/IMGP0930.jpg

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j155/starfcuk/IMGP0931.jpg

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j155/starfcuk/IMGP0932.jpg

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j155/starfcuk/IMGP0933.jpg

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j155/starfcuk/IMGP0934.jpg

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j155/starfcuk/IMGP0935.jpg

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j155/starfcuk/IMGP0936.jpg

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j155/starfcuk/IMGP0937.jpg

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j155/starfcuk/IMGP0939.jpg

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j155/starfcuk/IMGP0942-1.jpg

[Rusty Gull]

looks good, what are the plans for the old library?

City Hall will expand into it, I believe.

[seatosky]

looks nice...way better than the new west van community centre

[Distill3d]

it is a beauty, inside and out.


btw, that 80's restaurant in the bottom two pictures...that should be on the Do Not Eat List. i made that mistake about 2 months ago. food was good, just not the second time around.

[vanman]

It's basic but nice.

[Distill3d]

i have to say that North Vancouver City Hall and the civic square around it are very unassuming. however, it does seem to reflect the NIMBY attitude of North Vancouver to a tee.

[johnjimbc]

I really like the new West Van Community Centre. Planning on going to the grand opening this coming Saturday just to check it out on the inside.

The North Van library nice looking as well, though very different. I like the clean, modern lines. But it looks more like a classic style business building, like one you might see in a nice corporate park.

[Pinion]

I never thought I'd be the guy to provide the interior shots after it took me so long to visit but here you go. I'd have taken more but the girlfriend was mortified at my dorkiness.

Sorry for the quality - cell phone camera.

First thing you see when entering on your right:

http://www.canuckscentral.com/photos/library006.jpg

Second floor:

http://www.canuckscentral.com/photos/library007.jpg

Looking down on the first floor from the second floor:

http://www.canuckscentral.com/photos/library008.jpg

Artsy fartsy exterior shot:

http://www.canuckscentral.com/photos/library009.jpg

Entrance (couple in the shot were about to discover that it closes at 5pm on a Saturday. BS!):

http://www.canuckscentral.com/photos/library010.jpg

Bonus shot of new condo development nearby (the ones that are easily spotted from downtown):

http://www.canuckscentral.com/photos/library011.jpg

Overall we weren't too impressed to be honest. I know this site generally loves anything new but it's got lots of wear and tear already and is very bland in general. Might get dated fast. Also the air was really stuffy - something I've found in most "high tech green" buildings. If that's the way of the future, the future is gonna suck.

On the bright side it was very busy and the automated check-out system is a breeze, even for a dolt like me who hasn't read a real book since I was forced to in school. No comparison to downtown's, but CNV will take what we can get.