West Vancouver studies conservation society as tenant for historic Boathouse site

The District of West Vancouver is exploring a partnership with the Howe Sound Biosphere Region Initiative Society to use the former Boathouse restaurant in Horseshoe Bay—purchased by the municipality last year for $2.7 million—as a "biosphere discovery hub."

Ruth Simons, executive director of the society, pitched the proposal to council Monday, June 22. The hub would foster discussions about climate change and biodiversity through educational roundtables, inspire new research projects, and attract youth in summer camps and learning programs. The space would feature exhibits of creative art relating to nature, plus separate tenants for a bistro and retail section.

The building has sat empty since 2016, after the Boathouse restaurant closed for a planned condo development. The 1981 structure previously housed The Keg and Lodge restaurants. In February 2025, council backed away from plans to make it a home for the West Vancouver Art Museum, opting instead to look for a new art space in Ambleside while spending $50,000 to clean and prepare the Boathouse exterior for "community pop-up event use." The district has now spent that $50,000 on cleanup and repairs to make the building presentable and safe for access.

Mayor Mark Sager said the district has entered a letter of agreement with the Howe Sound Biosphere Region Initiative Society and is still working out final contract details. The district put out a call for proposals last fall; Sager said the biosphere vision was "most aligned" with the building's potential.