$5.2M in federal funding reserved for 4 Island community facility renovations

Thanks to new federal funding, four community facilities on Vancouver Island will get an upgrade on energy efficiency and building accessibility improvements.

The combined investment for Vancouver Island totals nearly $5.2 million from the federal and local governments.

The four facilities receiving green upgrades include: the Cedar Hill Recreation Centre in Saanich; Wakas Hall on the Gwa’sala-‘Nakwaxda’xw Nation reserve; the Chilton Arena belonging to the Regional District of Mount Waddington and the Ts’uubaa-astax Community Centre on the Ts’uubaa-asatx First Nation reserve.

Federal Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Jonathan Wilkinson stated in a press release that these new federal investments will help preserve important infrastructure while being energy-efficient.

“Our efforts to revitalize important spaces, such as the Cedar Hill Recreation Centre in the District of Saanich, aim to make these spaces more accessible and energy-efficient, which reflects our dedication to building vibrant, healthy communities,” he said.

“We will continue to invest in projects that contribute to the well-being of our neighbourhoods by creating spaces where people can gather, engage in physical activities, pursue hobbies, and access essential community resources,” said Wilkinson.

Some of the upgrades at the Wakas Hall in Port Hardy, which is currently underway, includes installing solar panels and upgrading LED lighting, HVAC, insulation, faucets, and accessibility features, such as washrooms, stair lifts, and warning signage. A total of $2,354,773 has been provided in order to complete the project.

The press release adds that these investments were made through the Green and Inclusive Community Buildings (GICB) program, which helps ensure community facilities are inclusive, accessible, and have a long service life, while also helping Canada move towards net-zero objectives by 2050.

A full financial breakdown of funding for all four Vancouver Island facilities are available here.

SEE ALSO: 

• B.C. promises $13M for rural Vancouver Island infrastructure projects
• Federal government to launch $1.5B fund to protect affordable rentals

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