SECHELT TO CREATE SPIRIT SQUARE LEGACY

SECHELT – Sechelt will be developing its very own B.C. Spirit Square, The Civic Square, for residents and visitors to gather for community events and celebrations, thanks to $52,500 from the provincial government, Minister of Tourism, Sport and the Arts, Stan Hagen, announced today.

“B.C. Spirit Squares, like this one, are a place for the community to celebrate our heritage and achievements – past, present and future,” said Hagen. “This square will be an excellent place for the community to host BC150 celebrations next year as well as a wide range of festivals, events and celebrations for generations to come.”

In 2008, the province will be celebrating BC150, the 150th anniversary of the founding of the Crown colony. Thanks to the hard work of the community, local organizations and the Spirit of BC Community Committee, Sechelt will have a special square to call its own to host these celebrations.

The Sechelt Civic Square will be built in the downtown core between the Provincial Courthouse, Public Library annex, Municipal Hall, Visitor Information Centre, Community Hall and the downtown shopping mall. In addition to serving as a venue for outdoor community events, it will be a convenient gathering place for shoppers and those using neighbouring facilities such as the library and swimming pool.

"We are excited to begin our Civic Square project and we thank the province for the investment in Sechelt," Mayor Cameron Reid said. "A Civic Square on Block 7 in our downtown area, will help maintain 'green' spaces for people to enjoy, close to a variety of public services and amenities.”

“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, liveable, 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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Media contact:	Don McDonald Ministry of Tourism, Sport and the Arts 250 356-9869	Marc Black Ministry of Community Services 250 356-6334

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