NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release 2009AL0015-000504 October 19, 2009

Ministry of Agriculture and Lands

 

$588,000 IN FUNDING TO REVITALIZE BC BROWNFIELDS

 

VICTORIA – More communities across the province can now embark on environmental investigations of local brownfields for possible redevelopment, thanks to $588,000 in funding under the Brownfield Renewal Funding Program, announced Agriculture and Lands Minister Steve Thomson today.

 

            “I am pleased to announce another five projects receiving support under the Brownfield Renewal Funding program,” said Thomson. “The five sites have the potential to be revitalized from an abandoned, derelict state to be catalysts for urban redevelopment, job creation and neighbourhood revitalization.”

 

The announcement was made from the Roundhouse Properties, a 3.74-hectare national historic site that was a former rail yard in the heart of Victoria West. The Roundhouse site will benefit from $125,000 in funding under the program. The other successful applicants accessing a portion of the $588K include:

                                                                                                              

· $151,190 – City of Port Alberni, Plywood Mill                  

· $73,800 – Town of Ladysmith, Industrial Harbour             

· $132,854 – Fernie Land Holdings, Landfill                        

· $105,500 – City of New Westminster, Industrial (Port)

 

In March 2007, the Province announced its Brownfield Renewal Strategy, which included a $10-million Brownfield Renewal Funding Program. In April 2009, the Province announced the release of $1.06 million in funding for the program. Applicants were invited to apply by June 15, 2009, and this past August the Province announced the first 12 successful applicants. Today’s announcement covers the second intake of applications that closed September 2009. To date approximately $1.6 million in funding has been provided under the program.

 

“The Roundhouse project is delighted to be the recipient of this provincial remediation funding,” said Ken Mariash, managing partner of Roundhouse Properties. “We are grateful to have the support of both the Province of British Columbia and the City of Victoria in our efforts to create a new mixed-use community. We would also like to recognize the ongoing support of the community who are long term contributors to the overall vision of this special heritage site.”

 

The B.C. Brownfield Renewal Strategy is designed to encourage more brownfield redevelopment across British Columbia. The strategy helps reduce risk and uncertainty in brownfield redevelopment.  The funding program supports the initial environmental work necessary to return these sites back into productive use.

 

“Wise and efficient use of land is a critical component of sustainability,” said Maureen Enser, executive director of the Urban Development Institute. “This brownfield strategy with funding attached will allow derelict properties to be reborn to a better use with economic, environmental and social benefits.”

 

The Province of British Columbia is a proud sponsor of the Canadian Brownfields 2009 Conference, Going for Gold, to be held Oct. 26-28, 2009 in Vancouver. This is the first time the conference has been held outside of eastern Canada. Local governments and industry representatives are welcome to attend. For more information, go to www.canadianbrownfields.ca.

 

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Contact:

Jessica McLachlin Public Affairs Bureau Ministry of Agriculture and Lands 250 356-1674

 

 

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