Pemberton’s Train Station will receive a much-deserved facelift this year with funds to make the project possible coming from the federal government.
Chilliwack-Fraser Canyon MP Mark Strahl was on hand in the village last Thursday (Jan. 17) to make the funding announcement from the Community Infrastructure Fund.
“This is the type of project the government envisioned when we started that program,” Strahl said.
The $44,000 in federal funds will be matched with $55,000 from the Village of Pemberton to see the project completed this year.
Mayor Jordan Sturdy said improving the Train Station has been part of the Frontier Street Enhancement Plan for several years.
“This is really an underutilized facility that has an opportunity to play a much greater role in the community,” Sturdy said. “This is going to be a much more important building for this community as time moves on.”
The project includes the design and engineering work for upgrades to energy efficient lighting, painting of the interior, water fountains outside along with benches, bike racks and landscaping are all included.
The washrooms will also see upgrades to become fully accessible to the public from the outside of the building.
Sturdy pointed out that the most significant aspect of the project is to install a bus pull out to make it more safe for pedestrians and drivers on the road.
“It has been an ongoing challenge for people,” he said.
The Village of Pemberton purchased the station a year ago for $285,000 from B.C. Rail and is where the current Greyhound bus service and BC Transit stops. The bus company and CN Rail are the current tenants in the building and Sturdy said it is an important transportation hub for the community.
Chief Administrative Officer Daniel Sailland said the 2013 budget process will firm up the timelines for the project as well as additional work that may be proposed as part of the downtown enhancement strategy.
Sailland said the farmers market area is next on the wish list of capital projects to move that enhancement plan along.
He mentioned the Village is in talks with the Timber Framing Guild on the design and cost of an open air market building.
“We are now looking at more architecture and detailed design,” CAO said. “Once that is complete we will seek funding.”
