Minister for Tourism, Sport and the Arts, Stan Hagen presented a cheque for $52,500 to Mayor Cam Reid to create Sechelt’s very own Spirit Square, a park area to be developed around all the municipal buildings, which will be used as a gathering place for future events and celebrations. According to the provincial government, the $20 million B.C. Spirit Square program is helping to create or improve outdoor public meeting spaces based on 50/50 cost sharing with local governments, to a maximum provincial contribution of $500,000.

Minister Hagen said of the projects, “B.C. Spirit Squares, like this one, are a place for the community to celebrate our heritage and achievements past, present and future. This square will be an excellent place for the community to host BC’s 150 year celebrations in 2008, as well as a wide range of festivals, events and celebrations for generations to come.”

The Sechelt Civic Square will be built in the downtown core between the Provincial Courthouse, Public Library annex, Municipal Hall, Visitor Information Centre, Community Hall and the downtown shopping mall. In addition to serving as a venue for outdoor community events, it will be a convenient gathering place for shoppers and those using neighbouring facilities such as the library and swimming pool. “We are excited to begin our Civic Square project and we thank the province for the investment in Sechelt,” Mayor Cameron Reid said. “A Civic Square on Block 7 in our downtown area will help maintain ‘green’ spaces for people to enjoy, close to a variety of public services and amenities.” - Compiled by Linda White France - As seen in The Local Newspaper, Sunshine Coast, BC

photo courtesy of Duane Burnett