TOUR THE LIGHT STATION ON BC DAY g u id e d t o u r s p r o v id e d b y v o l u n t e e r s on M onday, A u g u s t 6 th The Point Atkinson Light station in 1923. (303.WVA.THO) The Block House in 2012 (Elaine Graham photo) Point Atkinson Lighthouse Celebrates 100th Birthday in 2012 This year, as West Vancouver celebrates its 100th vill also birthday, one of its well-known heritage sites will share the sam e honour. In 1912 the now familiar red and white tow er at Point Atkinson replaced the original lighthouse built twenty-six years earlier. Innovative in design, Point Atkinson's elegant sentinel has been steadfastly guiding mariners into and out of the Port of Vancouver for an entire century To mark the occasion, PALS (Point Atkinson Light Station Sub-com m ittee) is negotiating with the District of West Vancouver for Point Atkinson to receive a major birthday gift. Although designated a National Historic Site in 1994, in recognition of its crucial role in navigation and lifesaving for British C olum bia's maritime trade, Point Atkinson has no financial endowm ent for ongoing site m aintenance. Included in this designation is a concrete bunker sitting on the lawn below the lighthouse, known as the "block house". It P age 7 was erected in 1942 to provide power to searchlights east and west of the light station during World located i W ar II. As part of its centenary celebrations for 201 2 the District of West Vancouver has plans to lead the com munity in the com plete restoration of the Block House. This is excellent news and a much needed gift. After it is restored to withstand the elements, PALS and volunteers can begin to equip the building with interpretive information on its role during World W ar II. In the meantime, PALS is upgrading the interior of the Radio Room /Fog Alarm Building to include interpretive information on the history of Point Atkinson's foghorns, its light, and its keepers. On August 6th, BC Day, the light station will be open to the public for guided walks led by PALS volunteers, as part of West Vancouver's centenary celebration. by Elaine Graham