2009

18 November 2009 Station Ready for Makeover Nelson's large station, built in 1899, was used by the railway until most administrative positions were transferred to other locations - 1998 Robert D. Turner     Nelson British Columbia - Well, it's about time!   In a city that cherishes and celebrates its history in the 350 preserved heritage buildings, this is one big blemish:  the CPR Station. If Nelson's history was a puzzle board, this would be that important corner piece that somehow ended up on the floor and chewed up by the dog. The grand old station has been boarded up for some 20-plus years, fallen into disrepair, even "tagged". An iconic symbol of Nelson's rich railway history sadly now appearing as a rotting shell. I've heard this refrain from many visitors and locals alike over the years and perhaps you have, too, "What a shame".   That's about to change as the Nelson and District Chamber of Commerce is set to take ownership of the train station from the Canadian Pacific Railway by way of the City of Nelson with plans to return it to its former glory and will turn part of it into a new visitor centre. Although, as the Chamber's executive director Tom Thomson points out, they will receive the building at no cost but they will have to come up with $5.6 million to renovate it. "We've applied for various grants for two years. We have received $100,000 from Western Diversification for their Community Economic Diversification Initiative."   The federal money is only the beginning. Other potential sources they will try to pursue include the province, Columbia Basin Trust, Southern Interior Development Initiative Trust, and from other sources including some from the city and the RDCK. Thomson points out that may include funding from traditional lenders. "We're likely going to have to take out a mortgage for the first time ever".   Thomson adds the project will go ahead and it won't be easy. "We wanted to make sure, in some of our business case analysis that we did, that this was, first of all, financially viable to build, and after it's built it has to be economically sustainable."   So, like some homeowners, Thomson said they will look to rent out space as a mortgage helper. "We've looked at non-market housing, we've looked at public purpose performance spaces, we've looked at retail, we've looked at commercial, we've looked at strata where someone could come in and buy a portion of the building."   But before any of that will happen, the Chamber will seek input. "We'll get a community committee together, similar to what they did with Touchstones, and they'll get people that are involved with the business community, people that have an interest in that project." Also on the board will be people from the chamber and politicians from the city and regional district and Thomson said they will figure out, "What's the best use and what makes the most financial sense for this community?"   Thomson is excited about the prospect of having use of this historic building as a showcase for the region, "I think it's just a great opportunity... I think it's fantastic. The things you can do with that building and rebuilding it as a visitor centre. One of the things we envision, and this is just in its infancy stage, is a Made in the Kootenays marketing initiative. You could have things like the broomsticks that are made over in the East Shore and you could have different artisans and things like that."   "You could have a kiosk for Whitewater and a kiosk for whitewater rafting and for Baldface. So when people come in they get a tourist experience."   And more importantly, "We want to build it into a regional experience."   If they build it, they will come, and first up will be railway aficionados, and there are many, just to see the building itself.   All aboard!

OKthePK Vancouver Island British Columbia Canada - http://www.OKthePK.ca/