Varsity Outdoor Club Brian Waddington Hut Renewal

GRANT: $10,000

The Varsity Outdoor Club (VOC), a student-led organization at the University of British Columbia, has been adventuring across southwestern B.C. since 1917. With over 1,100 members, the club brings together a diverse community passionate about backcountry skiing, climbing, mountaineering, hiking, paddling, and more.

The VOC owns and maintains four public-access huts in the Sea to Sky region, including the Brian Waddington Memorial Hut near Birkenhead Lake Provincial Park. Built in 1998, this large, accessible hut has become a beloved hub for backcountry users of all experience levels, offering a safe and welcoming base for recreation and connection.

During roof repairs in 2023, water damage was discovered that could affect several load-bearing columns. To ensure the hut’s long-term safety and structural integrity, the VOC completed a major restoration project in the summer of 2025. The work involved exposing and reinforcing the walls to keep the hut weatherproof and secure for decades to come.

Led primarily by undergraduate students, the VOC has a proven track record of coordinating large-scale infrastructure projects and stewarding B.C.’s backcountry for over a century. This restoration helps ensure that both seasoned adventurers and new explorers continue to have a place to gather, learn, and experience the outdoors.