City Receives Grant for Train Station Rehabilitation Project

Port Alberni, BC – The City of Port Alberni has received a $390,000 grant from the Community Economic Recovery Infrastructure Program (CERIP) to support the Train Station Rehabilitation Project.

On Monday, February 22, Heritage BC joined the Province of British Columbia in announcing the results of the single largest funding program to support B.C.’s unique heritage infrastructure. Awarded projects demonstrated strong local connections to heritage and community life and funding was provided to initiatives that aimed to preserve and celebrate aspects of British Columbia’s history.

The City-owned Port Alberni Train Station is a registered heritage building that was originally constructed in 1911. The City’s vision for the project is to preserve this unique historical building, enabling it to once again be a vibrant, public gathering location while honouring and respecting its heritage. The City has engaged with the Alberni Valley Heritage Commission to ensure that restoration and preservation work retains and preserves critical heritage values.

Historically, the Train Station was a place of community connectivity with the arrival and departure of rail passengers, freight, news and mail. Through rehabilitation efforts, the City seeks to revitalize this site and bring vitality to the area, while respecting and safeguarding historical integrity. The grant funds received from the CERIP will directly support restoration and structural upgrades at the Train Station. All work will follow the Standards and Guidelines for the Conservation of Historic Places in Canada. Project goals include:

• Structural improvements to meet the BC Building Code for seismic performance and fire safety
• Increased energy performance from the installation of new insulation, windows and doors
• Installation of new roofing to eliminate moisture, leaking and water damage
• Electrical and mechanical upgrades including heat recovery ventilation equipment & heat pump

“City Council and I are incredibly thankful to Minister Osborne and the Province of British Columbia for this funding, and are thrilled to see this project move forward,” said Mayor Sharie Minions. “The Port Alberni Train Station is a physical reminder of the arrival of rail service in the Alberni Valley, a pivotal time in our history. The Train Station is at the heart of our community, and located at the site of Tlukwatku-is, a former Tseshaht village, making this a site of extreme historical and cultural value.”

The City will continue to consult the Alberni Valley Heritage Commission as we move forward on this exciting project.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Tim Pley, CAO
City of Port Alberni
250.720.2824
timothy_pley@portalberni.ca