The Growing Communities Fund cashs out big!

According to the Tri City News this fund is set to be the largest rovincial allocation in municipalities and regional districts in the province’s history. In its entirety the fund is set to allocate $1 billion between various BC communities in order for them to support a growing population.

For the Tri-Cities, it translates to (in descending numerical order):

• Coquitlam: $18,635,000
• Port Coquitlam: $9,462,000
• Port Moody: $6,734,000
• Anmore: $1,730,000
• Belcarra: $759,000

The Tri City News had this to say about the creation of the fund:

According to a news release, the province used a funding formula to reflect the communities’ population sizes and growth targets; the money is expected to come later this month.

The grants also honour a resolution from the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) that passed last year.

"The transfer of these funds provides massive investments for every local government in the province," UBCM president Jen Ford said in the release.

"This new funding will allow communities to accelerate the replacement of aging systems, and expansion to current services to better meet the demands of growing populations. The approach of providing funding upfront will ensure that these funds are directed to the most urgent priorities identified in each community."

Click Here for The Tri City News Full Rundown

While many municipalities are unsure of how they will spend their upcoming financial increase Port Coqutlam's mayor Brad West says the he believes it will help with the cities ambitious capital plan:

Consequently, there could be some enhancements to the list of projects that are already underway, said West, such as neighbourhood rehabilitation and athletic field improvements.

As well, larger projects are in the works, such as an upgrade to Leigh Square and the addition of a new Terry Fox statue to the Port Coquitlam Community Centre, and West said the new funds could be used for some of these projects in PoCo's "ambitious" capital plan.

"There’s a number of different projects we have either in the planning stages or are preparing to go to contract on. I’m sure council will take those things into consideration as well," West said.

He said the additional provincial funds will augment the city's financial situation. "Additional funding we weren’t expecting improves an already good position that we're in in Port Coquitlam."

Click Here for the Tri City News full article

Plans for revitalizing Port Coquitlam's downtown include:

"The Civic Centre redevelopment includes Veterans Park, Leigh Square, an extension of Donald Pathway, and other City-owned spaces and roads in the area bounded by McAllister Avenue, Shaughnessy Street and Wilson Avenue and Donald Street.

The vision is for a vibrant, pedestrian-friendly, safe and welcoming commercial and residential zone, with strategic redevelopment of key properties and public spaces that will retain the area’s charm and heritage while supporting thriving businesses and attracting people to the downtown to live, shop, socialize and celebrate.

Based on public feedback and public space best practices, the open-concept design intends to:

• Attract families and people of all ages to the downtown and give them a reason to stay, whether it be through improved event space, performances, public art or park space,
• Improve safety, visual sightlines and connectivity, and
• Create an atmosphere that is fun, lively and green, with lighting for night-time enjoyment."

Click Here for the cities full breakdown