Kelowna, British Columbia, March 26, 2012 – The Mission Recreation Exchange officially opened today, building on the recent restructuring of several area transit routes. Kelowna residents now benefit from more efficient, convenient service, and a more direct link to swimming, skating and fitness facilities, library, sports fields, walking paths and more.
The exchange is conveniently located between the Capital News Centre and the H2O Adventure + Fitness Centre. It will function as a transfer point where Mission community bus routes will connect with the high-frequency #1 Lakeshore route, which provides connections to all Kelowna Regional Transit routes.
Project infrastructure for the exchange – including curbs, concrete pads, sidewalks and shelters – was substantially funded through $292,000 from Canada's Gas Tax Fund.
"Canada's Gas Tax Fund provides permanent, annual infrastructure funding to support growing communities like Kelowna,"
said Ron Cannan, MP for Kelowna-Lake Country. "From my nine years on Kelowna City Council, I understand how important it is for municipalities to have stable, long-term funding and flexibility to choose their own infrastructure priorities. Building efficient and reliable public transit is just one way the Gas Tax Fund supports economic growth and promotes healthy, prosperous communities."
"The City of Kelowna is committed to improving infrastructure and services that will offer convenient and accessible alternatives to driving,"
said Walter Gray, Mayor of Kelowna. "We are working together with the federal and provincial governments and BC Transit to support a sustainable future for our community."
"Investment in public transit continues to grow in BC communities,"
said UBCM President Heath Slee. "UBCM is pleased to see all levels of government working together to provide better travel options for Kelowna residents."
Mission area routes have been restructured to provide more direct, efficient service. This includes the #16 Kettle Valley and #17 Southridge routes, which replace the #16 Southwest Mission that previously looped around upper Mission. New schedules and routes for the #1 Lakeshore, #15 Crawford, #16 Kettle Valley and #17 Southridge began on Sunday. Updated route schedules can be found at www.bctransit.com. These service changes were funded through provincial and municipal contributions.
"Relocating the transit exchange means safer, more accessible transit for families and students,"
said Steve Thomson, MLA for Kelowna-Mission. "As a signatory to the Climate Action Charter, Kelowna is demonstrating how green options can better serve the community."
For information on the Transit Expansion Projects, visit kelowna.ca/transit; and for information regarding transit routes, schedules and fares, visit bctransit.com and click Kelowna.
For further information on the Government of Canada's infrastructure investments in British Columbia, visit www.infrastructure.gc.ca. To learn more about Canada's Economic Action Plan, visit www.actionplan.gc.ca.
About Canada's Gas Tax Fund:
Canada's Gas Tax Fund provides stable, long-term funding to local governments and other organizations to help them build and revitalize public infrastructure. This program primarily supports capital projects such as local roads, public transit, energy systems and waste management infrastructure that lead to cleaner air, cleaner water or reduced greenhouse gas emissions. The Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM) administers the Gas Tax Fund in BC in collaboration with Canada and British Columbia. On December 15, 2011, the Government of Canada passed legislation to make the Gas Tax Fund a permanent annual investment.
For more information, contact:
Geneviève Sicard
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities
613-991-0700
Jerry Dombowsky
Regional Programs Manager, City of Kelowna
250-469-8735
Tom Wilson
Communications Supervisor, City of Kelowna
250-469-8663
Jeff Rud
Communications Director
Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development
250-208-4028
Paul Taylor
Relationships and Communications Advisor
UBCM
250-356-2938
Infrastructure Canada
613-960-9251
Toll free: 1-877-250-7154
