Canada and Vancouver announce funding for infrastructure projects

$7.2 million funding to Park Board will accelerate renewal

December 22, 2009 - In a joint news release today (news release and backgrounder ) the Federal Government and City of Vancouver announced significant funding today for the City and Park Board under the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund program, designed to create jobs and provide short term stimulation to regional economies. A total of $7.2 million will help fund nine Park Board capital projects (see list below) for basic park and facility infrastructure, which will reduce budget pressures and accelerate renewal plans. Funding was provided for eligible construction-ready projects that could be completed by March 2011 and which had other committed (matching) Park Board and/or City financing in place.

Today's funding to the Park Board is additional to the $6.35 million in infrastructure stimulus funding announced last week by the Federal Government for the VanDusen Botanical Garden Visitors Cente renewal project.

Total Federal funding from all of above programs = $15.55 million.

Park Board Projects: Federal Infrastructure Stimulus Fund

Stanley Park
$4,550,000
Seawall and Brockton Point Light House rehabilitation ($2,000,000)
To improve the structural integrity, surface and safety conditions and aesthetic qualities of the seawall, enhancing overall user experience for this heavily used trail.
Sewer pump station upgrades ($500,000)
To begin to modernize wastewater handling system in the park by rebuilding 4 pump stations.
Stanley Park Pavilion and Chilco fieldhouse upgrades ($250,000)
To renew important fieldhouse and washroom facilities (including provision of universal access) in one of the most visited areas of the City .
Malkin Bowl performance centre upgrades ($300,000)
To improve this popular venue for seasonal outdoor performances and year round rehearsal space.
Road repaving of sections of Park Drive and Pipeline Road ($1,500,000)
To repave approx 1,800 m of ageing roads and parking lots, promoting increased public safety and prolonging economic life of the surfaces.

Queen Elizabeth Park
$333,300
Road repaving
To repave approx 400 m of ageing roads and parking lots, promoting increased public safety and prolonging economic life of the surfaces.

English Bay Seawall
$1,000,000
Rehabiliation
To improve the condition of popular seawall section between Stanley Park and Sunset Beach, providing protection from tides and storms and enhancing travelling surface for pedestrians and cyclists.

Park Lighting and Fieldhouses
$700,000
Replacement and Addition
To provide more modern watefront fieldhouses at Jericho, Kitsilano and Sunset Parks, and construct field lighting and a new field house at Trillium Park to increase the useability of the greenspace.

Roundhouse Community Arts and Recreation Centre
$600,000
Plaza Turntable
To transform the under-utilized urban plaza space adjacent to the facility into a creative outdoor performance area, improving and expanding existing centre programming.

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For more information contact: Joyce Courtney, Manager of Communications, at 604-257-8699

www.vancouverparks.ca

The Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation maintains 220 parks and 40 major facilities throughout the City of Vancouver. The Park Board's mission is to provide, preserve and advocate for parks and recreation services to benefit people, communities and the environment.