One of West Vancouver's historic estates used by a number of arts and cultural groups may close its doors to the community next year due to safety concerns.

The main building at Klee Wyck -- a property on Keith Road once owned by renowned doctor, cancer researcher and humanitarian Ethlyn Trapp -- is no longer suitable as a community arts centre, West Vancouver's chief administrator officer Brent Leigh said.

"Some earlier investment in that facility would have allowed it to continue to be used, but it's becoming a public safety concern to us," he said.

One of the District's official cultural facilities, Klee Wyck -- named by Trapp in honour her good friend Emily Carr -- is home to children's performing arts programs, adult visual arts programs and is also rented out as studio space for artists. But after years of neglect, the building does not meet the District of West Vancouver's safety standards, Leigh said.

According to Leigh, district councillors are considering moving the arts groups to an Ambleside-based facility to continue community services.

"Right now, we will continue just in the fall session," he said.

"But the building we're looking at occupying is a building newly acquired by the district at 1756 Argyle Ave."

Plans for the move will not be finalized until staff members fully explore budget and planning considerations, he added.

The District of West Vancouver inherited Klee Wyck following Ethlyn Trapp's death in 1972.

Trapp had signed an agreement to hand her property over provided the grounds were maintained as a green space for the public.

According to Leigh, district staff members began a thorough, two-part study of the property this summer. West Vancouver's Parks Master Plan will look at ways to honour Trapp's request to maintain the land as a public open space. The district will also consider the future of the building within the arts facility strategy.

"The ultimate and optimal use of the lands and the building, would come out of those studies," he said.

Asked whether the building would be torn down, Leigh said that the District is considering a range of possibilities.

"One would hope that the Klee Wyck (building) would find its way to a restoration as part of the Master Plan development of the site," he said. "But I can't contemplate what that would be; it will come through the study."

For Leigh, the relocation of arts groups and services out of Klee Wyck and into the Argyle location will benefit the community in the future.

"We can work towards moving people to a positive place and keep programs alive," he said. "At the same time, we can get an honest and thoughtful study on Klee Wyck so that we maximize that for public amenities in the longer term."

Council will determine whether arts groups will move following the district report's completion later this year.

nscallan@nsnews.com