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A group of Central Park residents met in January 1901 to form a
Farmers Institute that was incorporated in May 1901.
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They leased seventeen acres of Central Park from the Provincial
Government and arranged for government grants to construct a
two-story building.
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The building was ready in time for the September 1901 Fall Fair and
was described as “second to none outside Victoria and New
Westminster”.
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In
1903 the Institute amalgamated with the South Vancouver and Burnaby
Agricultural Society to become the Central Park Agricultural
Association & Farmers Institute.
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They
continued to improve the building and grounds and to hold successful
Fall Fairs.
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The
club’s efforts were rewarded in 1906 by a visit from B.C. Premier
Richard McBride to their annual Fair.
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In
1907 the membership doubled to five hundred twenty members.
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Increasing
urbanization and World War 1 saw the last exhibition on 1919.
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The
lease expired in 1921 and building was demolished in 1924.
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The
society continued to meet and hold small exhibitions in rented halls
under the name The South Burnaby Horticultural Association.
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After several name changes, the association became
the SOUTH BURNABY GARDEN CLUB
in 1960.
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Today the SOUTH
BURNABY GARDEN CLUB is
affiliated with the B.C. COUNCIL OF GARDEN CLUBS.
