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Ministry of Community Services |
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REVELSTOKE TO CREATE SPIRIT SQUARE BC2008 LEGACY |
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REVELSTOKE – Revelstoke is partnering with the government of British Columbia to build its very own B.C. Spirit Square, expanding Grizzly Plaza as an accessible public celebration place for residents and visitors alike, thanks to a grant of $86,000.
“Through our B.C. Spirit Square Program we’re partnering with the City of Revelstoke to create a legacy of B.C.’s 150th anniversary in 2008,” said Rick Thorpe, Minister of Small Business and Revenue. “This is the first of many celebration squares to be built across British Columbia that will reflect their home community’s unique character, heritage and cultural diversity.”
The Grizzly Plaza extension will offer an enhanced space for people to gather and enjoy the downtown core and provide 400 per cent more street space for special events.
“Being able to expand Grizzly Square between 1st and 3rd streets means better opportunities for residents to gather in the downtown core. The community events we hold now are already popular, and this means we can expand on that opportunity for the future,” said Mayor Mark McKee. “This fits with our plans for building on Revelstoke’s popularity as a tourism draw as well.”
“Through the B.C. Spirit Square program, we are enhancing the heart of B.C.’s communities,” said Ida Chong, Minister of Community Services. “By revitalizing public celebration spaces, we are supporting walkable, liveable, healthier places to live that encourage people to get out and connect more as a community.”
“BC2008 is about celebrating our heritage and achievements – past, present and future,” said Tourism, Sport and the Arts Minister Stan Hagen. “The expansion of Grizzly Plaza not only pays tribute to this historic centre, it will pave the way for festivals, events and celebrations for current and future generations to enjoy.”
The $20-million B.C. Spirit Square program is one of four Green Cities initiatives announced by Premier Gordon Campbell at the 2006 Union of BC Municipalities convention aimed at making B.C. communities greener and healthier places to live, with reduced greenhouse gases, improved air quality and increased energy conservation. The other programs are LocalMotion, Towns for Tomorrow, and the Green City Awards. For more information about B.C. Spirit Squares, and for links to these other programs, visit www.spiritsquares.gov.bc.ca online.
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Ministry of Community Services 250 356-6334 |
Ministry of Small Business and Revenue 250 888-9879 |
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For more information on government services or to subscribe to the Province’s news feeds using RSS, visit the Province’s website at www.gov.bc.ca. |
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