Back on Top (where we belong)
A landmark restaurant perched on Burnaby Mountain is back where it belongs following a seven-month rebuilding campaign. Horizons Restaurant, a well-loved local attraction, was closed due to a devastating fire that tore through the restaurant, damaging a third of the building which had stood on the mountain top for more than 50 years.
“While it was an unexpected turn of events, I’m extremely proud of how everyone pulled together to rebuild Horizons so quickly to get us back on top of Burnaby Mountain where we belong,” says director of operations, Geoffrey Howes.
“It’s a credit to our partners, the City of Burnaby and Heron Construction, who knew the challenges but said from day-one that it could be done.
“We’re all very proud of what we achieved together throughout the restoration project, which looks and feels like an exciting new, signature landmark for residents and visitors alike,” says Howes.
Horizons Restaurant is nestled in Burnaby Mountain Park and offers unparalleled views of Vancouver and Indian Arm, in a lush green setting of trees, rose gardens and majestic Japanese totem poles.
Renowned for its inventive West Coast cuisine, Horizons’ Chef John Garrett, has earned numerous awards for his truly inspired seafood and alderwood grilled creations.
With a touch of elegance and an enduring classic style, Horizons has been enchanting guests for more than 24 years as one of Metro Vancouver’s leading fine dining and special occasion restaurants.
Horizons on Burnaby Mountain reopens for dinner Wednesday, November 24, 2010.
Backgrounder
History of the Location
In 1958, the site was chosen to house the Centennial Pavilion as Burnaby’s contribution to the celebration of British Columbia’s centennial. At an elevation of 1214 feet / 370 metres, it offers spectacular views of Vancouver and Indian Arm, and the grounds around the Pavilion quickly became a favourite picnic site that, for the first time, provided a formal viewpoint and public access to other mountain trails. More than 8,000 people celebrated B.C.’s centennial at a barbecue atop Burnaby Mountain.
In the 1980s, the Pavilion underwent major renovations and opened in 1986 as Horizons restaurant.
Staff Stories
Horizons Restaurant enjoys a very loyal staff and management team, over 80% of whom are returning. One example is Yvonne, who has been with the restaurant 22 years, since it opened in 1986. Her sister Jeanette, who has been employed by ‘sister restaurant’, Salmon House on the Hill in West Vancouver for 17 years, is now joining the Horizons’ management team for the reopening.
Horizon Stats
- More than 80,000 guests visit Horizons on Burnaby Mountain each year.
- Close to 20,000 lbs of seafood served annually
- Over 5 tonnes of fresh, local products served annually
- Most popular dish on the menu – Maple glazed, alderwood barbecued salmon
- A behind-the-scenes look at the rebuilding stages
