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Fate of historic armoury unknown

The Brigadier Murphy Armoury opened in 1913 and is the home of the B.C. Dragoons
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The Brigadier Murphy Armoury has been part of Vernon's landscape since before the First World War.

The future of a landmark Vernon building is uncertain.

The 102-year-old Brigadier Murphy Armoury at the Vernon Army Camp is the focus of a review by the Department of National Defence.

“The Department of National Defence is currently examining the Canadian Armed Forces’ future requirements for the Murphy Armoury,” said Evan Koronewski, a senior communications advisor with the department.

“The department does not have any plans to demolish this building at this time, and will be able to confirm next steps for this property once these operational requirements are identified.”

Koronewski says there isn’t an established timeline for the process to take place.

“The department is still in a fact-finding stage. It will look at what the costs are to keep it maintained.”

The Sept. 25, 1913 Vernon News hails the opening of the armoury on four acres donated by the city at a cost of $18,000.

“The visitor’s first impression on entering the structure is one of airiness, light and space,” states the article.

“There is no ceiling over the huge drill hall but the high roof rests on massive steel trusses. The roof itself is of galvanized iron, and the flooring throughout is coast fir, with the exception of the men’s, sergeant’s and officer’s quarters which are floored with maple. The walls of the building are of locally manufactured brick.”

The armoury is listed in the Vernon heritage registry adopted by city council in 2000.

“The property is not designated by bylaw as a municipal heritage site as per provincial legislation and therefore, the property is not a protected heritage site under that same legislation,” said Dale Rintoul, the city’s current planning manager.

“There’s no legal authority for the city to withhold or deny approving and issuing a demolition permit to demolish the armoury building.”

The armoury is a recognized federal heritage building, according to the Canadian Register of Historic Places.

“Built as part of a reform and expansion program by the Department of Militia and Defence, the Brigadier Murphy Armoury is associated with establishing a community-based training centre in Vernon. It also has a long association with its regiment, the British Columbia Dragoons,” states the CRHP website.

“The Brigadier Murphy Armoury is a good example of an armoury building built from one of five standard drill hall plans produced under the direction of Sir Sam Hughes, minister of militia and defence. The design of these drill halls concentrated on the functional and structural aspects of the building.”