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CAMPBELL RIVER – Campbell River will be developing its very own B.C. Spirit Square, the Campbell River City Plaza, thanks to $500,000 from the provincial government, Tourism, Sport and the Arts Minister Stan Hagen announced today.
“This is about celebrating our heritage and achievements – past, present and future,” said Hagen. “The Campbell River City Plaza 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.”
In 2008, the province will be celebrating BC 150 Years - the 150th anniversary of the founding of the Crown colony. BC150 will be a chance for communities to reflect on the past, and look toward the future. Thanks to the hard work of the city, community members, local organizations and the Spirit of BC Community Committee, Campbell River will have a special square to call its own.
The Campbell River City Plaza will be located in the downtown district of Campbell River. The project will accommodate the existing Veterans’ Memorial Cenotaph, the main transit bus interchange and shelter, and an expanded terrace for the existing Art Gallery and Tourists Centre. The Spirit Square will contain seating areas and green space for community events.
“When Premier Campbell made his speech about Spirit Squares at last year’s Union of British Columbia Municipalities convention, we thought he’d been reading our downtown plans,” Campbell River Mayor Roger McDonell said. “This project will make more people want to move into the area, which will create a demand for residential development in the downtown core.”
“Through the B.C. Spirit Square
program, we are helping to enhance the heart of B.C.’s communities,” said Ida
Chong, Minister of Community Services. “By revitalizing public spaces, we are
supporting walkable, livable, healthier places to live that encourage people to
become more connected with their communities and their neighbours.”
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.
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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contact: |
Ministry of Tourism, Sport and the Arts 250 356-9869 |
Ministry of Community Services 250 356-6334 |
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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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