After years of making due in temporary quarters and housing many valuable records in multiple locations off site, the archivists of the Anglican Diocese of New Westminster/Ecclesiastical Province of BC and Yukon, the BC United Church Conference, and the Vancouver School of Theology, have received word that they soon will have a new archives building.

The three archives for many years have been housed at VST. The new building is to be below ground, and connected to the rear of the renovated Iona building, and is to be completed in 2007 at a cost of about $1.3 million.

The building will feature office space for the three archivists, a stacks area fitted with both moveable and static shelving, a processing space for records, a reference room for researchers as well as room for volunteers to both work and enjoy a good cup of coffee (which, admittedly, this archivist is still learning how to make!).

The new building will allow all three archives to resume the preservation of the churches’ and college records, and to welcome researchers and visitors to discover the richness of their holdings.