Vancouver Maritime Museum Lease

Motion 50 · Council Meeting, July 29, 2026

On Consent Location 1905 Ogden Avenue

Summary

Council authorized staff to negotiate and execute a new long-term lease agreement with the Vancouver Maritime Museum Society (VMM) for the museum site at 1905 Ogden Avenue in Kitsilano, including land, buildings, and a water lot, with a final expiry of December 16, 2045.
The lease includes access to storage space at the nearby Vancouver Academy of Music building (1270 Chestnut Street) and non-exclusive licenses for parking, museum display, and utilities.
Because the rent is set below market rate (with an estimated in-kind grant value of approximately $790,000 per year), the agreement required a two-thirds vote of Council under the Vancouver Charter.
Council also authorized a sublease arrangement between the City, the VMM, and a third-party operator (HAVN Saunas Inc.) to operate a floating barge with hydrotherapy activities at the Heritage Harbour marina on the museum site, contingent on a related rezoning approval.
The VMM stewards the City-owned maritime collection, including the historic St. Roch vessel, and provides year-round cultural and educational programming aligned with the City's Culture|Shift 2020–2029 plan.
Staff and the City Manager recommended approval, noting that the agreement supports the long-term financial sustainability of a major civic cultural institution and advances the City's goals for securing affordable cultural infrastructure.