SQUAMISH, British Columbia, September 2, 2009 - The Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, today announced funding for the West Coast Railway Association's new Roundhouse and Conference Centre Heritage Facility.
The Government of Canada has provided this project with funding of $2 million to support the construction of a 20,000-square-foot facility to help preserve British Columbia's railway history. The roundhouse is in phase three of a four-phase, 20-year development project for West Coast Railway Heritage Park in Squamish, which began in 1991.
"Our Government is proud to invest in the West Coast Railway Association's construction of the Roundhouse and Conference Centre, which will create the Association's first indoor exhibition space and preserve seven of the oldest cars in its collection," said Minister Moore. "Local heritage institutions play an important role in developing and sustaining the economic future of Canadian communities, as well as in facilitating access to the treasures of our collective heritage, and we are proud to be partner in their efforts."
"In the past three years, I have worked with Don Evans, Mayor of Squamish Greg Gardner, and members of the Squamish community on this exciting project," said John Weston, Member of Parliament (West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast-Sea to Sky Country). "I have seen the best of Squamish emerge in highlighting heritage, volunteerism, and community spirit. This one-of-a-kind conference centre will bring Canadians and people from around the world to Squamish's doorstep. A big hurrah for Squamish!"
"This is a very exciting day for all of us at the West Coast Railway Association and the community of Squamish," said Don Evans, President and CEO of the West Coast Railway Association. "This great contribution by the Government of Canada gets the Roundhouse project on track towards an early 2010 completion. We look ahead with excitement to a new level of preservation for our valuable Canadian heritage railway collection and to the many benefits it will also bring the community."
The West Coast Railway Association collects, preserves, and restores railway cars and artifacts and operates a licensed railway. In the 35 years since it was incorporated, it has amassed one of the largest collections of railway rolling stock and artifacts in Canada.
This funding was provided under the Canada Cultural Spaces Fund of the Department of Canadian Heritage. This program seeks to improve physical conditions for artistic creativity and arts presentation or exhibition. It is also designed to increase access for Canadians to performing arts, visual arts, media arts, museum collections, and heritage displays.
The Government of Canada is investing $540 million in the arts and culture sector to stimulate the economy as part of Canada's Economic Action Plan. It also recently renewed funding for federal arts programs totalling $1.51 billion over the next five years.
For more information, contact:
Stephanie Rea
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage
and Official Languages
819-997-7788
stephanie.rea@pch.gc.ca
Derick McNeil
A/Regional Manager Communications
Western Region
Canadian Heritage
Tel: 604-666-2454
Cell: 604-351-2693
Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
819-994-9101
1-866-569-6155
media@pch.gc.ca
