Vancouver, BC (November 29, 2021) – The Vancouver Convention Centre is proud to host part of the iconic Challenger Relief Map of British Columbia throughout the upcoming holiday season. Located in the lobby of the East building, the display is available for members of the public to view free of charge until December 26, 2021.

Completed in 1954 by George Challenger and his family with the intention to demonstrate the rich geography of the province, the Challenger Map is an 80-by-76 foot topographic map of British Columbia that details all of its mountains, lakes, rivers and valleys in exact-scaled topographical detail. The Map was originally displayed at the British Columbia Pavilion at the PNE in Vancouver until the building was deconstructed in 1997 and it was moved into temporary storage.

Fundraising is underway to restore of the Map and support costs related to the upcoming permanent installation at Hastings Park. A donation box is located next to the installation for visitors who wish to contribute to the Challenger Relief Map Foundation.

“We are thrilled to have the opportunity to host the Challenger Map at our facility and provide visitors with the chance to experience such an evocative and important part of our provincial history,” said Craig Lehto, General Manager of the Vancouver Convention Centre. “This partnership comes at an exciting time for our facility and industry, with more and more guests coming into our spaces for safe events such as Imagine Picasso, the Vancouver Christmas Market and more.”

The section of the Challenger Map housed at the Convention Centre is just four per cent of the total map, which is constructed out of nearly one million pieces of Douglas fir plywood.

“The Map is an iconic piece of BC history and my family is very grateful for the support that the Convention Center has shown us,” said Bill Challenger, President of the Challenger Relief Map Foundation and son and grandson of the Map’s creators. “We are very excited that the map will soon be returning home to the PNE so that the people of British Columbia, and others from around the world, will have the opportunity to see our province and learn about our geography, history and cultures.”

For more information on the Challenger Map, its history and the ongoing restoration efforts, visit www.ChallengerMap.ca or contact the PNE at 604-253-2311.

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About the Vancouver Convention Centre

Located on Vancouver’s downtown waterfront with a dramatic mountain backdrop, the world’s first double LEED® Platinum certified convention centre offers one of the most beautiful settings in the world. The award-winning Vancouver Convention Centre features two connected buildings with a combined total of 466,500 ft2 (43,340 m2) of flexible meeting, exhibition, ballroom and plenary space. The facility is committed to environmental sustainability as well as unparalleled service, technology offerings and culinary excellence.

The Vancouver Convention Centre is a part of BC Pavilion Corporation (PavCo), a Provincial Crown Corporation of the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture & Sport.