Renfrew-Collingwood Community News

News stories from the Renfrew-Collingwood community in East Vancouver

Tag Archives: Renfrew-Collingwood


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Collingwood Corner: Connaught School (now Sir Wilfred Grenfell)

BY LORETTA HOUBEN

Connaught School, now Sir Wilfred Grenfell, Renfrew-Collingwood
Connaught School, December 20, 1913. Source: Greater Vancouver Chinook newspaper, UBC Library

While browsing the Greater Vancouver Chinook newspapers online at the UBC library website, I discovered a photo in the 1913 edition showing Connaught School, which confirmed my previous research. The school was renamed John Norquay Annex (1933–1955) before changing to Sir Wilfred Grenfell School (opened in 1958). Grenfell school is still in operation as of 2024 at 3323 Wellington Avenue.

I wrote about this in detail in the November 2019 issue of the Renfrew-Collingwood Community News.

Rupert Street School on Bayley's Claim, incorrectly named. Source: Vancouver Archives, 1910s.
Rupert Street School on Bayley’s Claim, incorrectly named. Source: Vancouver Archives, 1910s.

In the Vancouver archive photos, the school is incorrectly named Rupert School. The description should read Connaught School, as confirmed in the BC Directories and other sources.

I had no real proof that these photos were of Connaught School until now. The UBC library website is free to use and has a wealth of information about the past. Please use this free resource to explore Collingwood history for yourself. 

Copyright Renfrew-Collingwood Community News


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Why I love Renfrew-Collingwood: Livable, accessible, friendly

A spring day on a quiet street in Renfrew-Collingwood, with Grouse Mountain and Seymour Mountain in the background. Photos by Julie Cheng

A spring day on a quiet street in Renfrew-Collingwood, with Grouse Mountain and Seymour Mountain in the background. Photos by Julie Cheng

BY JULIE CHENG

Renfrew-Collingwood is a special place where its warm and friendly residents of diverse cultures—pioneers and newcomers, young and old—live together in harmony and feel like they belong. The locals come out in droves to two annual festivals to celebrate this diversity: Collingwood Days and the Renfrew Ravine Harvest Moon Festival.

Still Creek runs through Renfrew Ravine.

Still Creek runs through the heart of Renfrew Ravine.

This historic residential neighbourhood is tucked away on the eastern edge of Vancouver on the border of Burnaby, B.C. The neighbourhood is home to hidden gems, from unexpected sweeping mountain views and the Renfrew Ravine (an urban forest with a salmon-bearing creek running through it) to Carleton School (one of the oldest schoolhouses in Vancouver) to many authentic, ethnic restaurants including Chinese, Japanese, Malaysian, Filipino, Italian and Indian.

Residents travel by Skytrain and cycle paths alike in Renfrew-Collingwood.

Residents travel by Skytrain and cycle paths alike in Renfrew-Collingwood.

It’s always been an easy neighbourhood to get to. In the 1890s the interurban tram connected Renfrew-Collingwood to the rest of Vancouver. Today two Skytrain lines run through it, carrying residents to and from work in a matter of minutes, north to Port Moody (on the brand-new Evergreen line), east to Burnaby and Surrey and west to downtown Vancouver. Walking or cycling is a great way to discover the neighbourhood.

Why do you love Renfrew-Collingwood? Please let us know! Email rccnews-editorial@cnh.bc.ca.

Julie Cheng has loved living in Renfrew-Collingwood for 20 years. She is the editor of the Renfrew-Collingwood Community News.

Copyright (c) 2017 Renfrew-Collingwood Community News


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Eating Out in RC: La Piazza Dario

BY PAUL REID

3075 Slocan Street, Vancouver, B.C. V5M 3E4
604-430-2195
lapiazzadario@gmail.com

Lunch: 11:30 am – 2:30 pm Monday – Friday
Dinner: 5:00 pm – 10:30 pm Monday – Sunday
Free parking

Linguine ai Gamberoni

Linguine ai Gamberoni

Greetings food fans. We travel this time to the heart of RC’s Little Italy—the Italian Cultural Centre—to what is surely the finest Italian restaurant in this community, if not the city, La Piazza Dario Ristorante Italiano.

We’ve talked in the past about how one can travel the culinary world right here in RC, our cosmopolitan community. What’s awesome about La Piazza Dario is that the second you enter the beautifully landscaped courtyard, you are transported back to the old country.

Passing through the gated archway entrance, you realize there is a patio area built into the restaurant. Protected from the elements, yet open to the fresh air, it’s the perfect little oasis. The rest of the dining room is tastefully decorated with the most beautiful paintings, statues, vases, plants and flowers. It is amidst this beauty that La Piazza Dario invites us to slow down, relax, smell the flowers, and get ready to “experience that particular Italian gift of making an art out of life.”

For over three decades, under the knowledgeable eye of head chef Claudio Ranallo, La Piazza Dario has been producing Italian cuisine of the highest standards. Starting with traditional Italian recipes, Chef Ranallo has created a menu that is authentic yet innovative.

“Exceptional cuisine is life-enhancing magic that should be enjoyed around a table with family and friends.” That is precisely what my accomplice and I accomplished there for lunch on this occasion.

For an appetizer, we chose the Prosciutto di Parma (thinly sliced and served with olives, $13). So good! In addition, I tried the Linguine ai Gamberoni (prawns sautéed in a white wine and garlic sauce, $17). The linguine was perfectly cooked. My accomplice went with the Pollo al Gorgonzola (free-range chicken breast in a delicate gorgonzola sauce, $17).

Everything was amazingly delicious, including the complimentary bread that came with a blend of finely chopped olives and olive oil. Service too was excellent.

Also on the lunch and dinner menus are tempting delights from amazing antipasti to scrumptious pastas to satisfying main courses to luscious desserts, including but not limited to antipasto, calamari fritti, prosciutto di parma, stracciatella, linguine di mare, spaghetti alle vongole veraci, gluten-free quinoa pasta, penne ciociara, salmone alla livornese, tagliata di manzo, vitello al limone, tiramisu, zabalione and crème caramel.

Dining room at La Piazza Dario

The dining room at La Piazza Dario is a key ingredient in making an art out of life.

So I can tell you, we felt the Italian magic! And we were just there for lunch. Guys take note, during the dinner hour, the candle light comes out and the romantic-meter, well … off the charts. And for larger groups, La Piazza Dario can help you celebrate your birthday party, anniversary dinner or wedding reception with a variety of group menus to satisfy all your guests.

So my friends, for a slice of heaven the Italian way, it’s La Piazza Dario. Bon appetite.

Copyright (c) 2015 Renfrew-Collingwood Community News