NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release 2008OTP0164-000977 June 24, 2008	Office of the Premier Ministry of Community Development
QUESNEL OPENS B.C.’S FIRST SPIRIT SQUARE

QUESNEL – Residents of Quesnel are celebrating B.C.’s first completed Spirit Square, built to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the founding of the crown colony of British Columbia.

 

“It is very exciting to be here to see the completion of the Province’s first Spirit Square, the first of many to be finished and opened this year, celebrating our province’s 150^th anniversary, and reinforcing the special spirit that defines our cities, towns and villages,” said Premier Campbell, who attended the grand opening. “This square is a place for Quesnel to showcase its community strengths and achievements, and a centre for people to meet, to celebrate, and to connect with one another.”

 

In August 2007, the Province announced $54,500 in funding to erect a clock tower and build a wooden roof over the existing stage at Four Corners Square in Quesnel.

 

“The Quesnel Spirit Square symbolizes what can happen when a community works toward a common goal. We are proud to have worked with the Quesnel Downtown Association and the Sunrise Rotary 2000 Club to make this project a reality,” said Mayor Nate Bello. “This revitalization project in the heart of our community shows our spirit and tenacity in order to make Quesnel an even better place in which to live, work or invest.”

 

 “This Spirit Square is a way for the residents of Quesnel to commemorate BC150 – celebrating our heritage and achievements – past, present and future,” said Blair Lekstrom, Minister of Community Development. “Each of the B.C. Spirit Squares tells the world about the community, its history and values. Here in Quesnel, wood features are included in the square, reflecting the fact the community is also known as the Woodsmart City.”

 

The $20-million B.C. Spirit Squares program is helping to create or improve outdoor public meeting/celebration spaces based on 50/50 cost-sharing with local governments. For more information about B.C. Spirit Squares, visit www.spiritsquares.gov.bc.ca online.  To learn more about BC150, please visit www.bc150.ca.

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Media contact:	Bridgitte Anderson Press Secretary Office of the Premier 604 307-7177	Marc Black Communications Manager Ministry of Community Development 250 387-4089
	Matt Wood Communications Supervisor City of Quesnel 250 991-7475
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