Squamish Oceanfront becoming a reality with new arts & culture project
BC LIBERAL GOVERNMENT CAUCUS NEWS RELEASE
August 3, 2010
SQUAMISH– The Squamish Oceanfront Blue Barn Arts Incubator project is moving forward thanks to new funding under the Brownfield Renewal Funding Program. “Squamish has shown a strong commitment and desire to redevelop its oceanfront as part of its downtown community revitalization strategy,” says West Vancouver-Sea to Sky MLA Joan McIntyre.“ The New Blue Barn Arts Incubator project, supported by a partnership between the province and the local community, will provide a new cultural amenity for tourists and Squamish residents alike.”
Receiving a $231,250 provincial contribution, this project is located on 59 acres within the Squamish Oceanfront Development lands in the District of Squamish. The Blue Barn located on the site was most recently used as a water treatment facility for mercury that contaminated the surrounding oceanfront lands. In partnership with the Squamish Arts Community, the future blue barn will house and serve as an incubator for arts, culture and heritage activities.
"The Squamish Oceanfront is a unique opportunity that places the greatest importance on creating community amenities and assisting with the evolution of Squamish from its industrial resource heritage into a new economy. The funding by the BC Brownfield Renewal Program shows that the Province of British Columbia is committed to helping achieve these goals.” said Bill McNeney, Squamish Oceanfront Development Committee Board Chair. “The money granted to the Squamish Oceanfront project will provide the opportunity to create a new amenity for the community from an industrial legacy. This announcement is another step in the process of making the Squamish Oceanfront a reality".
The Province is making $800,000 available through the Brownfield Renewal Funding Program to stimulate land development and economic activity by encouraging remediation of brownfield sites. Brownfields are abandoned, vacant, derelict, or underutilized commercial and industrial properties, where past actions have resulted in actual or perceived contamination. These are sites that have great potential for redevelopment when the issue of contamination is addressed. In March 2007, the Province announced its Brownfield Renewal Strategy, which included the multi-million Brownfield Renewal Funding Program. In April 2010, the Province announced the third intake for the program and applicants were invited to apply by May 19, 2010. Last year the program approved 17 projects totalling over $1.6 million.
For more information on the the BC Brownfield Renewal Strategy, please visit www.brownfieldrenewal.gov.bc.ca
For more information about Joan and the West Vancouver-Sea to Sky constituency visit www.joanmcintyremla.bc.ca
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Media contact: Tim Morrison, BC Liberal Government Caucus Communications, 250-952-0778
