Over $2 million in Canada / B.C. Infrastructure Program Grants for Rocky Point Park Rejuvenation, Improved Watermain Connection |
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE DATE: November 10, 2003 PORT MOODY – Port Moody's Rocky Point Park and a watermain project on the City's north shore are getting a total of nearly $2.2 million in Canada/British Columbia Infrastructure Program grants from Western Economic Diversification Canada. The grants, announced this morning in a ceremony at the Vancouver Museum, will enable Port Moody to proceed with a long-anticipated renovation of its premier waterfront park, Rocky Point, as well as to complete a watermain connection between April Road and the David Avenue corridor. On hand to announce the funding for Port Moody were federal representatives Stephen Owen, Secretary of State (Western Economic Diversification) (Indian Affairs and Northern Development) and Herb Dhaliwal, Minister of Natural Resources Canada as well as provincial minister Rick Thorpe (Competition, Science and Enterprise). Acting Port Moody Mayor Cynthia van Ginkel attended the event. The $2 million 'Community Infrastructure' grant, together with $1.3 million in City funds, will enable the Rocky Point Park Master Plan, developed in 2000, to be implemented over the next two years. The significant rejuvenation of this popular waterfront park will include new playground and waterpark; installation of a plaza; a new picnic shelter and a new stage will be constructed. Existing buildings, such as the public washrooms, caretaker's residence, GVRD weather monitoring station and community building will be removed and replaced with a new multi-purpose building which will also include space for a restaurant. Pathways will be upgraded and drainage issues on the main lawn will be addressed. In addition, a sand volleyball court will be built near Murray Street and the existing parking lot will be enhanced to include a drop off area and improved handicapped parking stalls. "This is fantastic news for Port Moody and for all the volunteers who have devoted their efforts towards this project. This grant will help us expedite a seven-year plan into a two-year timeframe," said Mayor Joe Trasolini. Volunteers include members of the Parks & Recreation Commission, Environmental Protection Committee and Golden Spike Days Society, all of who contributed to the development of the park's master plan. "Implementing this project will be like finally fixing a roof that has been leaking for years. The restoration of Rocky Point Park has been badly needed for years and this is the support we need to finally make it happen," said Councillor Bob Brown, Chair of the City's Parks & Recreation Commission. Work on the park is expected to begin in Spring 2004. In addition, a further $159,000 'Green Municipal Infrastructure Project' grant will enable a new watermain to be constructed between existing water lines on April Road and David Avenue on the City's north shore. Currently, water supply in the Barber Street / April Road subdivision is supplied by three water pumping stations and a 200,000 gallon reservoir via a watermain on Ioco Road. This interim setup was completed in 1988 after Port Moody's municipal boundaries expanded to include the Ioco Townsite. The new watermain will provide this area with reliable water supply from the 1,000,000 gallon reservoir on Heritage Mountain. Two old pumping stations in the April Road system will be decommisioned. The new watermain will be built along the graveled David Avenue right-of-way in Bert Flinn Park, in the off-leash dog area. This gravel access will be extended westward in order to accommodate the watermain construction, which will also lengthen the dog run area considerably. Fire hydrants will also be placed along the right-of-way in order to provide firefighting capability to this forested area that borders several residential neighbourhoods. Work on the $250,000 watermain system is expected to begin in mid-2004 and take six to eight months to complete. |