Whitehorse, Yukon, September 6, 2013 – Once the economic heart of Whitehorse, the town's historic waterfront has been revitalized to again become a centerpiece for the community. Today, the Honourable Kerry-Lynne D. Findlay, Minister of National Revenue, Ryan Leef, Member of Parliament for Yukon, the Honourable Darrell Pasloski, Yukon Premier, the Honourable Brad Cathers, Yukon Community Services Minister, Ron McIntosh, Kwanlin Dün First Nation Councillor, on behalf of Chief Rick O'Brien, and Dan Curtis, Mayor of Whitehorse, celebrated the official completion of the Whitehorse waterfront revitalization initiative.
"Our government is proud to invest in significant infrastructure projects that show cultural diversity, innovative spirit and environmental stewardship, as we focus on creating jobs, promoting growth, and building strong, prosperous communities here in Yukon, and across Canada,"
said Minister Findlay. "The Whitehorse waterfront is an important gathering place for the community, and we are pleased to have invested in its revitalization — making it an even more attractive, vibrant and enjoyable destination to visit."
The revitalization initiative consisted of the reconstruction of the Whitehorse wharf, public facilities and restoration of heritage buildings at Shipyards Park, a roundhouse train shed, the Kwanlin Dün Cultural Centre and Whitehorse Public Library, riverbank stabilization, improvements to Front Street and extension of Black Street.
"The Whitehorse waterfront is now a vibrant and exciting place where Yukoners and visitors alike come to meet, play, and enjoy the natural beauty of the Yukon River,"
said Minister Cathers. "Years of planning, public consultation and government partnerships have helped transform the waterfront so that it can once again contribute to the economic, social and cultural well-being of Whitehorse and Yukon."
"The completion of these waterfront revitalization projects and the completion of the Kwanlin Dün Cultural Centre have enlivened the Whitehorse waterfront and enabled Kwanlin Dün to realize the long-awaited dream of reclaiming a small portion of what was once our ancestral home along the waterfront,"
said Chief O'Brien.
The various elements of this initiative have been completed over several years, including the completion of the Whitehorse Public Library in 2011 and Kwanlin Dün Cultural Centre in 2012. The Whitehorse waterfront revitalization is one of two components of the Yukon Community Waterfronts project funded under the Canada Strategic Infrastructure Fund. Together, the governments of Canada and Yukon invested over $33.3 million to the Whitehorse waterfront revitalization initiative. Additional investments of over $1.4 million by the City of Whitehorse for street reconstruction and new parking and over $8.1 million by the Kwanlin Dün First Nation for the Kwanlin Dün Cultural Centre combined for a total project value of just under $43 million.
"I am excited and proud that the vision, collaboration and partnership between all levels of government including our Yukon First Nations, has resulted in our waterfront becoming a real destination,"
said Mayor Curtis. "This jewel in our crown provides many opportunities for all to enjoy. From children to seniors, residents to visitors, the waterfront really brings the community together. We are blessed to be able to showcase the river in an area that is so rich in history and culture."
Canada's Economic Action Plan 2013 is delivering a New Building Canada Plan to build roads, bridges, subways, commuter rail, and other public infrastructure in cooperation with provinces, territories, and municipalities. Thanks to the Government of Canada's leadership and our strong economic and financial fundamentals, the Canadian economy has recovered from the global recession better than most other industrialized countries. Canada's economy has created over 965,000 net new jobs since July 2009. The New Building Canada Plan, combined with other federal infrastructure investments, will support Canada's infrastructure advantage, a key enabler of economic growth and job creation.
For additional information about federal investments in infrastructure, visit Infrastructure Canada or follow us on Twitter at @INFC_eng.
For more information about infrastructure projects in Yukon visit Department of Community Services.
Contacts:
Marie-Josée Paquette (Disponible en français)
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Infrastructure, Communities and Intergovernmental Affairs and
Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec
613-943-1838
Bonnie Venton Ross
Yukon Government
Communications, Community Services
867-393-6907
Elaine Schiman
Cabinet Communications
Government of Yukon
867-633-7961
elaine.schiman@gov.yk.ca
Jacqueline Hynes
Manager, Strategic Communications and Customer Service
City of Whitehorse
867-335-1186
jacqueline.hynes@whitehorse.ca
Infrastructure Canada
613-960-9251 or toll-free 1-877-250-7154
Backgrounder
The Whitehorse waterfront revitalization is one of two components of the Yukon Community Waterfronts project funded under the Canada Strategic Infrastructure Fund. Together, the governments of Canada and Yukon invested over $33.3 million in the Whitehorse waterfront revitalization. Additional investments of over $1.4 million by the City of Whitehorse for street reconstruction and new parking and over $8.1 million by the Kwanlin Dün First Nation for the Kwanlin Dün Cultural Centre combined for a total project value of just under $43 million.
This project represents many years of public consultation and planning on the future development and use of the waterfront.
The revitalization of Whitehorse waterfront included:
- Wharf, trail development and parking lot;
- Lighting and electrification around the wharf;
- Restoration of heritage buildings, at Shipyards Park;
- Washroom and concession building at Shipyards Park;
- Landscaping at Shipyards Park;
- Kwanlin Dün Cultural Centre and Whitehorse Public Library;
- Off-street parking at Kwanlin Dün Cultural Centre;
- Construction of the roundhouse train shed for the Whitehorse trolley;
- Kishwoot Island bridge demolition;
- Improvements to Front St. (formerly 1st Avenue) and the Black Street extension;
- Improvements to Front St. (formerly 1st Avenue) Black to Ogilvie Streets;
- Riverside trail reconstruction;
- Rotary Park parking lot reconstruction;
- Lighting at Robert Campbell Bridge;
- Riverfront stabilization; and,
- Landscaping of Front Street (formerly 1st Avenue) Ogilvie to Strickland Streets.
