QUESNEL SET TO CELEBRATE WITH NEW SPIRIT SQUARE FUNDS

QUESNEL – Quesnel will be able to enhance Four Corners Square, creating an even better meeting place for the community, thanks to a $54,500 grant from the provincial government’s B.C. Spirit Square program, Blair Lekstrom, MLA for Peace River South and Parliamentary Secretary for Rural Development, announced today.

“The Province is proud to support Quesnel’s plan to enhance the downtown area as a gathering place for residents,” said Lekstrom. “This area will welcome residents and visitors to gather and celebrate important events, including B.C.’s 150th anniversary in 2008.”

Funds from the Spirit Square program will pay for the City of Quesnel’s new clock tower and will provide funds to build a roof over the existing stage at Four Corners Square, at St. Laurent Avenue and Reid Street. The roof will be made out of wood to showcase the importance of wood to the community. The town is known as the “Woodsmart City” and is home to the largest concentration of wood products in North America.

“The heart of our downtown, Four Corners Square means a great deal to our community. It’s where we meet to socialize, shop and do business,” said Mayor Nate Bello. “We are a community that displays a resilient spirit and we are proud to be recipients of Spirit Square funding from the provincial government. I’d also like to recognize the tremendous generosity of the Sunrise Rotary 2000 Club with their contribution of $20,000 to help make this project happen for our community.”

“BC150 Years is about celebrating our heritage and achievements – past, present and future,” said Tourism, Sport and the Arts Minister Stan Hagen. “The Quesnel Spirit Square pays tribute to this community’s history and paves the way for festivals, events and celebrations for current and future generations to enjoy.”

The $20-million B.C. Spirit Square program is helping to create or improve outdoor public meeting/celebration spaces based on 50/50 cost-sharing with local governments, to a maximum provincial contribution of $500,000.

“The B.C. Spirit Squares program will go far to help enhance the heart of B.C.’s communities,” said Ida Chong, Minister of Community Services. “It’s important to revitalize public spaces to create walkable, livable, healthier places to live. We want our communities to help people to become more connected with their neighbours, creating a sense of pride and togetherness.”

B.C. Spirit Squares is one of four programs 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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Media contact:	Anne McKinnon Ministry of Community Services 250 953-3677

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