What are the responsibilities of the site owners?
VHF is responsible for the plaque itself (ownership) and will reprint or replace the plaque if
edits or changes arise. Building/site owners or caretakers agree to accept and install the plaque and approve the plaque text. The plaque will remain on the site for as long as all parties agree.
Depending on your site, all possible installation options will be explored. VHF will assist in determining who owns the property on which a plaque may be installed. Affixing it to an exterior location is preferred for public access but may require maintenance. Cooperation with other site owners may be required. VHF will assist in this process and provide clear direction on what type of installation is recommended.
Does this mean my building/site will be a designated heritage site?
No, it does not mean that your building/site will be designated or legally protected. Places That Matter is an independent plaque project that is not associated with the City of Vancouver heritage building plaque project, which puts legal protection on title. If you are interested in designating your site, please check out VHF’s conservation grant program which can assist with the costs associated with designating a heritage building.
What will it cost?
It depends. The cost may be as little as mounting the plaque or planning the presentation – someone not directly related to the site may choose to cover the sponsorship. If you decide to sponsor the plaque it will cost $1000. This is a great opportunity for you and your business to support the Places That Matter plaque project, or a terrific way to commemorate or recognize a person, business, place or event that matters to you. For each plaque, VHF costs include research undertaken by historians and writers, project coordination and manufacturing of the plaque. Sponsorship of plaques help VHF to defray the cost of the program.
What do the plaques look like?
The plaque measures 16.8 inches by 9.5 inches and is a digital print on 1/8” diebond panel, a lightweight but robust material. Anchor Signs, a local Vancouver company, is producing the plaques. There is no material, like copper or brass, in the plaque that is worth stealing. It can be fixed to a building or site either by 100% polyurethane or by screws.
Our QR codes are printed directly onto the plaque and take the Smartphone user directly to the Places That Matter webpage where further information and images about each site will be uploaded.
What does a plaque presentation consist of?
Anything you’d like – you’re more than welcome to organize an event for your presentation or just have a small informal gathering. We do not have the capacity to fully organize an event for you but we are happy to assist in any way we can. We request that at minimum, the plaque presentation will include remarks by VHF representative and plaque recipient with photo/video opportunities. We ask that the official project name be used in any promotional materials that you produce: “Vancouver Heritage Foundation’s Places That Matter Plaque Project.”
What are the responsibilities of the site hosting the presentation?
Coordinate with VHF on the presentation and confirm details of the presentation date, time and schedule. VHF is happy to assist in liaising with various representatives as speakers or attendees at the plaque presentation. VHF Projects Manager and a Board Director will be in attendance to
assist with the plaque presentation. The Mayor and Council will be invited and may or may not
have representatives in attendance. VHF will assist in documenting the event through photography and basic video recording which will be made available after the event, for our records, for the website and for your use.
How much media coverage will the site get?
It depends. You’re welcome to arrange media coverage as you see fit. VHF will release plaque presentation dates and details via our website, the Places That Matter webpage, in our e-newsletters and Social Media. We ask that if you do not want certain information/images put into the publicized to please let us know.
