The document provides information about the Burnaby Heights neighborhood located in Burnaby, BC. It discusses the history of the area and details the variety of shops, services, community organizations, events, demographics, transportation options and more that are available in the neighborhood. It also includes comments from residents and business owners about what they like about the community.

1. Located just 15 minutes east of downtown
Vancouver, on Hastings Street, between Boundary Rd
and Gamma Ave.

2.  Around 1863, the Heights was an extension of
Vancouver, with the shopping district we now
identify as the Heights being a popular shopping
area since around 1913.
 The opening of Hastings Street took place in 1902
 The arrival of the streetcar occurred in 1908.
 The trolley ran on a single track from Boundary
Road to Ellesmere Avenue.

3.  These buses run regularly through the
Heights along Hastings Street.
 C1 – Hastings at Gilmore St. Kootenay Loop
 C2 – Capital Hill Hastings at Gilmore Street
 129 – Between Metrotown and Edmonds Station
 130 - Metrotown Hastings Kootenay Loop
 135 – SFU Hastings St. Burrard Stn (downtown)
 N35 – Downtown SFU Nightbus
 There are bike racks on every block in the
Heights.

4.  Burnaby`s Census for 2006 showed a total population of
202,799 (this was up by 1,944 from 2005). The
population for 2005 had grown by 7,901 from 2004 (a
growth of 4.6%).
 Cultural groups represented include Chinese, South Asian,
Filipino, Korean, S.E. Asian, W. Asian, Japanese, Black,
Latin-American, Arab
 Languages spoken include English (85,480), French
(1,715), Bilingual (215) and 113,455 people speaking
another language.
 102,030 persons are immigrants who have arrived mostly
in the last five years (21,655).
 Educational backgrounds include: business management,
public administration, architecture, engineering & related
technologies, health, parks, recreation and fitness, social
behaviour science and law.

5.  25.5% of the population of Burnaby are low-
income families.
 The median income is $57,248.00
 The average income of single mothers is $35,907
 The average income of single dads is $42,037
 23,040 work in business and finance
 27,590 work in sales and service
 12,110 work in the trades
 10,910 work in natural and applied sciences

6.  17,095 are in the 40-44 age group
◦ (8,285 are men and 8,810 are women)
 3,790 are in the 85+ age group
◦ (1,235 are men and 2,550 are women)
 The median age is 39.1 with more women
than men
 85.3% of Burnaby`s residents are age 15+
 78,035 live in private dwellings
 47,980 own their homes
 30,055 rent their homes

7.  The First Grocery store was run by the “Goodridge” family,
and was located at Hastings and Alpha Street
 The 2nd grocer open at Hastings and Willingdon and was
run by the “Field” family.
 Before WW1, the majority of stores were near
Boundary and Hastings
 These included:
◦ A butcher shop
◦ A hardware store
◦ Grocery store
◦ Druggist
◦ Bakery
◦ And eventually a Print Shop

8.  Established in 1954 by business people
 Membership included 90% of local business by 1964
 Members got actively involved and activities included
organizing public events and fighting government around
plans for the streets.
 Established “hats off” day where merchants could take
their hats off to the customers and show appreciation.
This event continues today with a neighborhood pride
party and street festival.
 Became an official B.I.A. In 1994 (the 1st in Bby) & was
joined by the North Road Business Improvement
Association in 2009.
 The special relationship between the B.I.A. And the
community has created a unique community that feels
like a small town.

9. 
The “Heights Merchants
Association” and a “Business
Improvement Area”
 Consists of more than 350
Merchants and 50 property owners
on Hastings Street between
Boundary Road (on the West)
and Gamma Avenue (on the East)
 The HMA is funded by a special
property tax levy voted on by the
membership & enacted as a City
bylaw.

10.  ¸Promoting and enhancing the Heights
◦ Improving it`s physical attractiveness
 Litter pick up four times a week
 Power washing program
 Decorative street banner program
 Tree well maintenance
 Bi-annual Mural program
 Anti-graffiti initiatives
 Seasonal street lighting
◦ Organizing special events
◦ Attracting shoppers and businesses to the area
◦ Lobbying on behalf of its members
◦ Implementing plans for the neighbourhood`s future
◦ Contributing to the community

11.  http://bc.rcmp.ca/
 Community Office at 4191 Hastings Street
 Works with the Community Association to
present safety workshops and seminars
 Provides brochures and pamphlets on safety
concerns as well as community events.

12. ◦ Accounting (x9) and Financial (x7) Services
◦ Financial Institutions (Bank of Montreal, CIBC, C.S. Credit
Union, G&F, N.S. Credit Union, RBC, Scotiabank, TD, Vancity
and Westminster Savings Credit Union
◦ Children’s Arts, Arts Studio, Scrapbooking, Gem shop
◦ Automotive Dealers and Services
◦ Barbers and Hair Salons, Esthetics/Spa Services
◦ Bakeries, Deli’s, Specialty Foods, Convenience Stores,

13.  Florists
 A Funeral Home
 Furniture and Household Needs
 Home Improvement
 Hotels (Best Western & Howard Johnson)
 Jewelers
 Legal Services

14.  Book Stores, Thrift Stores,
 Cafes, Tea Houses, Restaurants, Fast food
 Computers and Electronics Sales & Service
 Construction and Design services
 Medical, Dental, Optometrist, Chiropractors
and Massage Therapists,
 Drycleaners and laundromat
 Fashion
 Fitness, Health and Wellness
 Community Services/Organizations

15.  Liquor Stores and outlets
 Government offices (City of Burnaby & MLA)
 The Autism Society of British Columbia
 The B.C. Construction Industry Skills
Improvement Council (SkillPlan)
 Burnaby Fire Hall No 5
 Community Police Office (RCMP)
 Royal Canadian Legion, Branch #148
 Special Olympics BC
 Enasco-Institue of Social Service for Workers of
Italian Origin

16.  Originally known as Burnaby Heights Junior
Secondary School, located on Willingdon
Street and started with 50 students
 Established in 1922
 Relocated in 1962 to current location at
Kensington and Curtis, it was called
Kensington Junior Secondary and Burnaby
North Secondary School.
 Two schools merged in 1981
 Celebrated Ninety Years on April 11, 2013

17.  Showcased talents from all school
departments
 Performances include flapper girls from the
20’s; an excerpt from Guys and Dolls; the
Marching Band; and more
 Tamara Taggart invited as guest speaker (she
grew up in the Burnaby Heights
Neighbourhood)
 Through service, the school is teaching the
students selflessness, appreciation, humility,
and the importance of community.

18.  http://www.autismsocietycanada.ca/index.php
 Mission Statement:
To promote understanding,
acceptance and full community
inclusion for people with Autism in
British Columbia while proviiding support for
the realization of the rights and informed
choices of individuals with Autism and their
families.

19.  Special Olympics BC (SOBC) Vancouver is a
volunteer non-profit organization dedicated
to providing opportunities for individuals with
intellectual disabilities to become productive
and respected members of society through
sports training and competition.
 Local Office: North Burnaby

20.  Located at Gilmore Community School
 Burnaby Community Connections
 204-2101 Holdom Avenue
 Publishes a community resource guide each year
 Connects people with services like christmas
bureau, food hampers, summer kids camps, etc.

21. VALLEY BAKERY
Cioffi’s Meats & Specialty Foods
Caffe Artigianno
See www.caffeartigiano.com
Athena’s Day Spa

22.  The Red Apple Produce and Market
Adele-Rae Florist
Cogg’s Vintage Antiques

23.  Beltone on Hastings
B.C. Biomedical Labs
Cobbett & Cotton
Law Corporation
 Burnaby Heights Integrative Healthcare Inc.

24.  Public Library – McGill Branch
Mortgage Companies
Financial Consultants
Loan Services
 Confederation Centre for Seniors Programs
Two Postal
Outlets

25. A mix of both old and new shops and services
Very friendly staff and people
Busy area and yet relaxing to shop in
Lots of shops and services to choose from
Lots of free parking

26.  Very community-minded neighbourhood
promoting several various community events
throughout the year.
 Special events include people of different
cultures and those with special needs
 Businesses in the area sponsor, promote and
participate in special events
 Clean neighbourhood
 Strong merchants association that supports
the businesses in The Heights

27.  There are many residents who have been here
for years. They love the neighbourhood, the
accessibility of shops, buses, services.
 Many people are seen walking their dogs
around the neighbourhood and are happy to
stop and chat.
 The accessibility of the University (S.F.U.)
make it ideal for families with children as they
grow up.

28.  “It’s a great place to do business”
 “The customers are great and we see repeat
customers all the time”
 “I get lots of support when I need it from the
Merchant’s Association”
 “The CRAVE 2013 program is a wonderful to
bring in customers and give to charity”
 We like all the big events like “hats off days”

29.  Father walks for Down Syndrome awareness.
 Howie English, father of 6 year old Rebecca English,
wants to educate the public, especially the parents of
Rebecca’s playmates who don’t invite her to birthday
parties out of fear and lack of knowledge. (Burnaby
News Leader.com March 13, 2013)
 Burnaby North Secondary School celebrates 90
years of history. (Burnabynow Newspaper, March 1,
2013 issue, pg A13)
 Chevron issues a community newsletter
promoting community events and updating
residents about their business plans.

30.  “Shuttle Stays Put” Two community shuttle routes won’t
be changing after all. Seton Villa residents complained to
Translink, that they rely on the shuttles to get them to the
Heights shopping area. (See Burnaby now newspaper, March
1, 2013 Cover page
 Kids can dance and draw for spring break,
thanks to Pinocchio Art School and Dance Addicts Studio.
Providing zuma for kids, hip hop lessons, singing, dancing,
painting, drawing and mixed media art projects. Article also
highlights art camps taking place at other studios in the
heights such as Artspace Children’s Centre and 4Cats Capitol
Hill. (Burnabynow, March 8, 2013, pg A15)

31.  In North Burnaby, there are malls, parks,
community centres, shops and services for
teenagers but in The Heights specifically I don’t
see anything specifically pertaining to teens,
other than the addictions services provided at the
Boys and Girls Club.
 There is a Scandinavian Community Centre in
North Burnaby, an Ismaili Centre and also a
Japanese Cultural Centre. These are accessible
by bus and car but are not walking distance from
the Heights and I did not see any material that
advertised them in the Heights.

32.  The secondary schools are great at providing programs for
First Nations students and their programs reach out to
families but there are no Aboriginal Friendship centres for
Aboriginal people in Burnaby like there is in Vancouver and
Surrey.

33.  Merchant Association: Businesses automatically
become members of the merchant association.
Association supports and acts as advocate as needed
for merchants.
 Huge Variety of Shops and Services
 Restaurants include Greek, Italian, Japanese,
Chinese, Thai, Western and Mexican
 Cafe’s range from simple coffee shops to fancier
choices such as Caffe Artigianno.
 Arts and Crafts shops and programs for children
and adults include painting, pottery, scrapbooking,
jewelry making etc

34.  Substance Abuse Services
 Odyssey I and II are counselling programs for youth and families
struggling with issues related to substance abuse with locations in
Burnaby and Vancouver. The programs offer a supportive atmosphere
where youth feel comfortable to explore alcohol and drug related issues
and consider options for obtaining a healthier lifestyle. Youth can take
part in the wide range of services including individual and family
counselling, drop-in, social-recreational activities, crisis intervention
referrals, and substance abuse education.
 Nexus is an outreach counselling program located in downtown
Vancouver that provides services to high risk youth who are affected by
substance abuse. The program offers support to empower youth to
effectively deal with substance abuse issues and move towards a
healthier lifestyle. Nexus provides a wide range of services including
counselling, crisis intervention, assessments, referrals and substance
abuse education.
 In excess of 800 individuals are served by the
Odyssey I, Odyssey II and Nexus programs each year.

35.  Burnaby North Secondary School is educating
their students about history and they are
putting on a 90th Anniversary Event.
 Neighbourhood listens to its residents
Recently an uproar about cancelling a shuttle
that takes seniors from Seton Villa to
Hastings Street caused the municipality to
change their decision and leave the shuttle in
place (see Media Findings)

36.  Burnaby Newspapers are delivered 2-3 times
a week keeping residents apprised of news
and events in Burnaby and the Heights.
 Seniors Centre located in Burnaby Heights.
They use handi-dart service but also have
their own bus for outings. Also, they are
located on the same property as the public
library and a community centre with
pool/gym/park and track.

37.  Providing programs for Gay/Straight Alliances within the
schools. (programs are offered before & after school)
 Providing programs for First Nations Students and their
families. (programs are offered before & after school)
 Providing programs for “at risk” youth
 Youth Engagement Service (YES)
 The overarching aim of YES is to prevent social
exclusion, family breakdown, offending and anti-social
behaviour. The Service aims to do this by engaging and
offering support and access to services for Young
People in Burnaby
 This is a targeted service to meet the needs of young
people who are experiencing emotional or behavioural
problems.

38.  I think that Burnaby Heights is a great
neighbourhood. I love the shopping district.
Working in a group home in this neighbourhood is
terrific as there are so many resources to integrate
my clients with. They go to the library, the
community centre, the pool/gym. They can shop
within their means. The parks are such a great place
for picnics. The residents get to chat with the
neighbors, pet their dogs and even get involved in
giving back to the community by doing street clean
up anddonating to the Boys and Girls Club (school
supplies in Sept). They read the community papers
and know what is going on. They are accepted and
part of the community, even if it’s temporary.

39.  The neighbourhood may have some
challenges but I see them working together
and they definitely listen to their residents
when there is a concern.
 I hope you enjoyed this presentation!