DISTRICT OF SQUAMISH, BC, July 30,
2024 /CNW/ - Residents in the District
of Squamish will benefit from upgrades to their recreation
centre and steps to protect them from flooding after a combined
investment of more than $19 million
from the federal and provincial governments, and the District of
Squamish.
This was announced by MP Patrick
Weiler, MLA Susie Chant, and Mayor Armand Hurford.
Brennan Park Recreation Centre, the largest community centre in
Squamish, offers a wide range of
programs and amenities for adults and kids in the community.
Funding will upgrade the building envelope to improve its energy
efficiency and indoor air quality, as well as reduce its greenhouse
gas emissions. The project includes upgrades to approximately 153
meters of the building's exterior, including windows, doors,
insulation, air barriers, seismic performance, electrical systems,
and signage. These enhancements will help reduce heating and
cooling costs and minimize the environmental footprint. This is the
first of several phases of construction planned over the next two
years to retrofit the building.
Upgrades to the Squamish River Dike at Jimmy Jimmy (Judd) Slough
was established as the highest priority diking project in the
community in order to improve flood protection standards.
This project will raise approximately 900 metres of the Squamish
River dike on private land between Wai'wakum Reserve and
Aik'wuck's, widen the dike crest from four metres to six metres,
provide rip-rap erosion protection for the raised portion of the
dike, add a new vehicle turnout, and upgrade one access ramp.
Quotes
"Investing in infrastructure is critical to accommodate growing
populations in communities like Squamish, while ensuring residents are kept
safe in a rapidly changing climate. The Government of Canada is investing in the Jimmy Jimmy (Judd)
Slough Dike Upgrade to protect Squamish from the risk of flooding. The
Brennan Park Recreation Centre is being retrofitted to reduce
emissions and to save money over the long term on the operations of
this well-used facility. With a federal commitment of over
$7.8 million, projects like these
exemplify how we can make generational investments to build
sustainable communities for everyone to'
Patrick Weiler Member of Parliament for West
Vancouver—Sunshine Coast—Sea to Sky Country, British Columbia, on behalf of the Honourable
Sean Fraser, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and
Communities
"As we continue to deal with the effects of climate change, it's
essential that we take action and focus on future-proofing
vulnerable communities in British
Columbia. We're improving the Squamish River dike to better
protect people in and around Wai'wakum Reserve and Aik'wuk'sin from
the impacts of climate change for years to come."
The Honourable Bowinn Ma, Minister of Emergency Management
and Climate Readiness
"People in Squamish will
benefit from upgrades to the Brennan Park Recreation Centre and the
Squamish River Dike that will help communities become greener and
safer. That's why we are supporting the District of Squamish and communities throughout the
province to fund projects that provide overall safety, increase
energy efficiency and reduce the impact of floods. These projects
will benefit the Squamish
community and all British Columbians for many years to come."
The Honourable Anne Kang, Minister of Municipal
Affairs
"Throughout the province, we're working with local communities
to build a more resilient and climate-responsive future for
everyone. With the upgrades to the Brennan Park Recreation Centre
and the Squamish River Dike in Squamish, we are helping build clean community
infrastructure that will address the climate crisis and build a
low-carbon, more resilient future for British Columbians."
The Honourable George Heyman, Minister of Environment and
Climate Change Strategy
"This funding will support community resiliency and well-being
by improving our much-loved recreational facility and highest
priority diking project in the District of Squamish. Upgrades to both of these assets
have been desired by Squamish
residents for many years, and we thank our federal and provincial
partners for bringing us closer to achieving our community
vision."
His Worship Armand Hurford, Mayor of the District of
Squamish
Quick Facts
- The federal government is investing $5,677,194 through the Green Infrastructure
Stream of the Investing in Canada
Infrastructure Program for the Brennan Park Recreation Centre and
$2,169,600 for the Squamish River
Dike Raising. The Government of British Columbia is
investing $4,730,522 for the Brennan Park Recreation Centre
and $1,807,819 for the Squamish River
Dike Raising. The District of Squamish is contributing $3,785,269 for the Brennan Park Recreation Centre
and $1,446,581 for the Squamish River
Dike Raising.
- This stream helps build greener communities by contributing to
climate change preparedness, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and
supporting renewable technologies.
- Including today's announcement, over 127 infrastructure
projects under the Green Infrastructure Stream have been announced
in British Columbia, with a total
federal contribution of more than $551
million and a total provincial contribution of more than
$382 million.
- Under the Investing in Canada
Plan, the federal government is investing more than $180 billion over 12 years in public transit
projects, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, trade and
transportation routes, and Canada's rural and northern communities.
- Federal funding is conditional on fulfilling all requirements
related to consultation with Indigenous groups and environmental
assessment obligations.
Associated Links
Investing in Canada:
Canada's Long-Term Infrastructure
Plan
https://housing-infrastructure.canada.ca/plan/icp-publication-pic-eng.htmlhttps://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/icp-publication-pic-eng.html
Green Infrastructure Stream
https://housing-infrastructure.canada.ca/plan/gi-iv-eng.html
Federal infrastructure investments in British Columbia
https://housing-infrastructure.canada.ca/plan/prog-proj-bc-eng.html
Strengthened Climate Plan
https://www.canada.ca/en/services/environment/weather/climatechange/climate-plan/climate-plan-overview.html
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SOURCE Department of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities