PROVINCE FUNDS QUEEN CHARLOTTE PROJECTS

QUEEN CHARLOTTE – The Province of B.C. is investing $500,000 to help create a place for Village of Queen Charlotte residents to gather for special events and to build a lake control structure on Stanley Lake, Minister of State for Child Care Linda Reid announced.

“This funding, from both the B.C. Spirit Squares and Towns for Tomorrow programs, means improved infrastructure and a new, accessible meeting place, making Queen Charlotte an even better place to live and work,” said Reid, on behalf of Community Development Minister Blair Lekstrom. “The Village of Queen Charlotte is taking a significant step towards sustainability with these initiatives and the whole community will benefit.”

The Run of River Alternative Energy Control Structure Project is receiving $400,000 in Towns for Tomorrow funding to construct a lake control structure on Stanley Lake to ensure sufficient year round flows for a new water supply intake downstream on the Honna River. This will be combined with a run of the river microhydro energy system which will allow the community to reduce reliance on their current energy source.

Provincial funding of $100,000 will assist in construction of the Queen Charlotte Spirit Square, which will include a multi-purpose events area and covered space for small markets and performances. The project also features art work from the Haida First Nations and other local artisans to celebrate Queen Charlotte's heritage and its future, including links with Haida who established the first community on the village site as well as forestry and fishing industries.

“On behalf of our community I would like to thank the Ministry of Community Development for assisting us in our water project and our commitment to developing greener energy sources through its Towns for Tomorrow funding,” said Queen Charlotte Mayor Carol Kulesha. “With the addition of B.C. Spirit Squares funding, we will create a central focus for our downtown core and a gathering place for all.”

Towns for Tomorrow program is a three-year, $21-million program helping small municipalities enhance community infrastructure and create legacies for the future. The Province provides 80 per cent of the funding for approved projects, to a maximum provincial contribution of $400,000. To learn more, please visit www.townsfortomorrow.gov.bc.ca.

The $20-million B.C. Spirit Squares program is helping to create or improve outdoor public meeting and celebration spaces created to celebrate the 150^th anniversary of the founding of the colony of British Columbia. The program is based on 50/50 cost-sharing with local governments. For more information about B.C. Spirit Squares, please visit www.spiritsquares.gov.bc.ca. To learn more about BC150, go to www.bc150.ca.

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Media contact:	Marc Black Ministry of Community Development 250 387-4089

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