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MERRITT – The Province is providing $500,000 through the Spirit Squares program to the City of Merritt to transform a downtown parking lot into Legacy Plaza, a gathering place that will be able to host outdoor community events in the heart of downtown, Premier Gordon Campbell announced today.
“In 2008, Merritt will help our province celebrate its 150th anniversary with a new square that will reflect the cultural diversity and history of this great region,” said Campbell. “With a seating and standing capacity to host 500 people, Legacy Plaza will include First Nations art, Western murals and a new stage with a sound system. I congratulate Mayor David Laird and the entire community for having the vision to move this project forward.”
Funding will transform a parking lot in downtown Merritt into a civic square, within walking distance of key public facilities and shopping. The square will be used for year-round events and gatherings, with capacity for an audience of about 500 people. The plaza will embody the community’s distinctive historical cultural and natural elements, including a waterfall feature with First Nations art and First Nations themed murals. It will also reflect the city’s revitalization as the Country Music Capital of Canada, marking the starting point of the popular ‘Merritt Walk of Stars.’ Total cost of the project is $1.1 million.
“We’ve excelled at attracting crowds to our summer music festival,” said Mayor David Laird. “This project will connect us as a community, welcoming families, seniors and visitors together the whole rest of the year.”
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 Campbell at the 2006 Union of BC Municipalities convention, aimed at making B.C. communities greener, more sustainable and healthier places to live. 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: |
Press Secretary Office of the Premier 250 213-8218 |
Communications Manager 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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