Burnaby’s last standing bowling alley is on borrowed time as redevelopment plans for the site have been sent to city council for review.
Keltic Canada Development is proposing three new towers at 5502 Lougheed Hwy. at 60 storeys, 54 storeys and 46 storeys tall, according to a report going to council today, Jan. 28.
Currently home to Revs Bowling Centre, the last bowling alley in Burnaby and the largest west of Ontario, next to Holdom SkyTrain station, the property also includes a fitness and racquetball centre.
The development would include about 1,667 residential units:
- 1,190 market strata units
- 242 market rental units
- 235 non-market rental units (rented at 20 per cent below the market median for the neighbourhood)
The developer has plans to add about 6,850 square feet (636 square metres) of commercial uses along Lougheed Highway, which city staff say would provide “walkable opportunities for residents, employees and transit passengers” and encourage social interaction in the neighbourhood.
Phase 1 of the development would include building the 54-storey condo tower (Tower 2) and the the 46-storey rental tower (Tower 3).
The second phase would include the 60-storey condo tower (Tower 1) and enhancements to the streamside protection area around Beecher Creek.
Beecher Creek, a fish-bearing stream, runs along the entire western property line.
Staff said the development brings a “unique opportunity” to daylight and relocate a portion of the creek to “improve circulation for the fish habitat.”
The height of the proposed towers was influenced by how much of the land (almost 28 per cent) is slated for enhancements for riparian protection, according to the report.
“Developing outside of the (streamside protection and enhancement area) presents a significant challenge in providing a reasonably sized development footprint while maintaining the integrity of the riparian area,” said the report.
The city’s environmental review committee has supported reducing setbacks to 15 metres from the top of the bank, according to the report, on the condition that the developer plant native species in the setback area and build a two-metre-wide gravel pathway for pedestrians.
Staff will study the possibility of adding a mid-block pedestrian signal on Lougheed Highway near the gravel trail, mid-way between Springer Avenue and Holdom Avenue.
The underground parkade as proposed includes about 1,240 residential and visitor vehicle spots, as well as almost 3,700 spaces for bikes.
The developer also plans to provide:
- a transit subsidy fund of $2,850 per home to reimburse a portion of transit pass fees
- $1,500 in car share vehicle driving credits per home
- 10 parking spaces for car-share vehicles on-site
- bicycle repair and maintenance stations on-site
Other transportation improvements along Lougheed Highway and Goring Street would include:
- separated pedestrian and cycling facilities
- rain gardens
- street trees
- street and pedestrian lighting
Staff have recommended the project be forwarded to the next stage of the rezoning process.
If council approves the staff recommendation Tuesday, the project must still go through four more major approvals.
