The Anglican Archives currently housed in the Iona Building on the UBC campus will be relocated in early 2015.
Vancouver School of Theology (VST) Principal, the Reverend Dr. Richard Topping announced on January 7th, 2014, that VST, an independent theological academic institution that leased the land for 999 years from the University of British Columbia in 1927 had agreed to surrender its leasehold interest and sell the Iona Building to UBC for a total purchase price of $28 million, subject to both parties completing their due diligence.Since 2007, part of an 8,000 square foot section of the Iona Building’s basement has been home to the Anglican Archives of the Diocese of New Westminster and Ecclesiastical Province of BC and Yukon. The two Anglican entities contributed funds toward the ambitious 2006 renovation of the Iona Building specifically for the Archives.
On June 13th, 2014, Dr. Topping announced in a staff memo that the subject conditions on the UBC purchase have been removed and the purchase by UBC will proceed.
Representatives of the two Anglican entities were able to reach a satisfactory agreement with VST in connection with the relocation by way of compensation, and steps are currently being taken to identify and confirm long term space for the Archives.
More information will be forthcoming once the relocation plans are finalized.
Image: the Iona Building, a section of the 8,000 square foot basement has been home to the Anglican Archvies since 2007, PHOTO: Courtesy of VST