West Point Grey
Encyclopedia
West Point Grey is a neighbourhood on the western side of the city of Vancouver
, British Columbia
, Canada
. It is bordered by 16th Avenue to the south, Alma Street to the east, English Bay to the north, and Blanca Street to the west. Point Grey is regarded as one of Canada's most exclusive neighbourhoods; average housing prices are approximately $2 million, the most expensive area in Vancouver in terms of price for square foot. Point Grey is also home to a diverse and ecologically appreciative populace. Faculty members of the University of British Columbia, working professionals, artists, young families, and established leaders and patrons of the city comprise many of the areas residents.
The main commercial strip with shops and restaurants is along West 10th Avenue between Tolmie Street and Discovery Street. Fiesta Day, a family carnival day, is held along 10th Avenue and Trimble Park every year. There are rides, games, performances and a parade.
North of West 4th Avenue, the area slopes steeply downhill where it meets English Bay at Locarno Beach
and the Spanish Banks.
The 39 Canadian Brigade Group
, headquarters for all the Canadian Forces
's Army Primary Reserve units in British Columbia, has its headquarters in the northeastern section of the neighbourhood.
Also located within the neighbourhood is Vancouver's largest Youth Hostel.
Schools include Lord Byng Secondary School
, which serves students from the neighbourhood, along with Queen Elizabeth Elementary School
, Queen Mary Elementary School
, École Jules Quesnel
and the private PreK-12 school West Point Grey Academy
.
According to ancient Indian legend, Point Grey is the "Battleground of the West Wind." The rock the god of the West Wind represents, which is just sitting off the point, is called Homolsom. As the rock is just sitting between their two territories, Homolsom is half a Squamish word and half a Fraser River language word.
Point Grey is named for Captain George Grey, a friend of Captain George Vancouver
.
Vancouver
Vancouver is a coastal seaport city on the mainland of British Columbia, Canada. It is the hub of Greater Vancouver, which, with over 2.3 million residents, is the third most populous metropolitan area in the country,...
, British Columbia
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. It is bordered by 16th Avenue to the south, Alma Street to the east, English Bay to the north, and Blanca Street to the west. Point Grey is regarded as one of Canada's most exclusive neighbourhoods; average housing prices are approximately $2 million, the most expensive area in Vancouver in terms of price for square foot. Point Grey is also home to a diverse and ecologically appreciative populace. Faculty members of the University of British Columbia, working professionals, artists, young families, and established leaders and patrons of the city comprise many of the areas residents.
The main commercial strip with shops and restaurants is along West 10th Avenue between Tolmie Street and Discovery Street. Fiesta Day, a family carnival day, is held along 10th Avenue and Trimble Park every year. There are rides, games, performances and a parade.
North of West 4th Avenue, the area slopes steeply downhill where it meets English Bay at Locarno Beach
Locarno Beach
Locarno Beach is one of the beaches that line English Bay in Vancouver. It is situated in the West Point Grey neighbourhood, between Jericho Beach and the Spanish Banks beaches...
and the Spanish Banks.
The 39 Canadian Brigade Group
39 Canadian Brigade Group
The 39 Canadian Brigade Group is part of Land Force Western Area of the Canadian Army. It is composed of Canadian Forces Primary Reserve units which are based in British Columbia. No. 39 CBG is headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia, at the Jericho Garrison on West 4th Avenue...
, headquarters for all the Canadian Forces
Canadian Forces
The Canadian Forces , officially the Canadian Armed Forces , are the unified armed forces of Canada, as constituted by the National Defence Act, which states: "The Canadian Forces are the armed forces of Her Majesty raised by Canada and consist of one Service called the Canadian Armed Forces."...
's Army Primary Reserve units in British Columbia, has its headquarters in the northeastern section of the neighbourhood.
Also located within the neighbourhood is Vancouver's largest Youth Hostel.
Schools include Lord Byng Secondary School
Lord Byng Secondary School
Lord Byng Secondary School is a grade 8-12 school located in the West Point Grey neighbourhood on the west side of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada...
, which serves students from the neighbourhood, along with Queen Elizabeth Elementary School
Queen Elizabeth Elementary School (Vancouver)
Queen Elizabeth Elementary School in Vancouver, British Columbia, is an elementary school. The school opened in 1940 and is named after Queen Elizabeth who visited Canada in 1939, with her husband King George VI....
, Queen Mary Elementary School
Queen Mary Elementary School
Queen Mary Elementary School in Vancouver, British Columbia, is an elementary school. The school opened in 1915.It is located at 2000 Trimble Street, at the intersection with 4th Avenue in the West Point Grey neighbourhood. As of 2009, the current school principal is Monika Sanft. The school has a...
, École Jules Quesnel
Jules Quesnel Elementary School
Jules Quesnel Elementary School in Vancouver, British Columbia, is an elementary school. As it is a French immersion school, it is also known by its French name, École Jules Quesnel...
and the private PreK-12 school West Point Grey Academy
West Point Grey Academy
West Point Grey Academy is an independent, co-educational, university-preparatory school founded in 1996. Located in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada...
.
According to ancient Indian legend, Point Grey is the "Battleground of the West Wind." The rock the god of the West Wind represents, which is just sitting off the point, is called Homolsom. As the rock is just sitting between their two territories, Homolsom is half a Squamish word and half a Fraser River language word.
Point Grey is named for Captain George Grey, a friend of Captain George Vancouver
George Vancouver
Captain George Vancouver RN was an English officer of the British Royal Navy, best known for his 1791-95 expedition, which explored and charted North America's northwestern Pacific Coast regions, including the coasts of contemporary Alaska, British Columbia, Washington and Oregon...
.