26 February 2010

CP Station Restoriation Gets $300,000 Boost from CBT

The Columbia Basin Trust donated $300,000 to revitalzing the
historic CP Rail Station in Nelson.

Nelson British Columbia - Columbia Basin Trust (CBT) is contributing $300,000 to the Nelson and District Chamber of Commerce (NDCC) in support of their efforts to restore a historic landmark and increase tourism infrastructure in Nelson.
 
"The restoration of the CPR Station to function as a new Visitor Gateway to Nelson is a landmark project for Nelson that will be an anchor for the revitalization of the entire western end of Baker Street," said Neil Muth, CBT President and CEO. "CBT is proud to support this project as it is not only restoring a historic landmark, but it will have lasting economic benefits to residents and businesses in Nelson."
 
The NDCC has secured the donation of the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) Station and one acre of surrounding land from CPR on the west end of Nelson's historic downtown core for the development of a Regional Visitor Gateway (RVG). The station is the only example of this type of architecture in Western Canada.
 
"Columbia Basin Trust's generous financial contribution to the restoration of the historic CP Rail station at the foot of Baker Street will enable the Chamber to begin reconstruction. It was extremely important to receive CBT funding at this time, as it allows for immediate reroofing of the building to prevent further structural damage, and also begin construction of the public washrooms, and interior renovation work."
 
The building renovations are expected to be complete in 2013 and will include a full service Regional Visitor Information Centre with an interpretive display that showcases the region's recreation and tourism products, investment opportunities, heritage, arts, and cultural diversity. It will also feature a "Made in the Kootenays" marketing showcase.
 
Adjacent to the Information Centre, new offices for the Chamber of Commerce, the Nelson Economic Development Partnership, and the Regional Destination Marketing Organization will be housed. A range of private and public sector organizations will fill the remaining portions of the building, adding to the location's vibrancy. The project will also create a new transit hub for the city, moving that function away from the current congested hub at the corner of Ward and Baker Streets.
 
The development of the Regional Visitor Gateway dovetails with a city-wide development plan to enhance Nelson's waterfront, create a pedestrian corridor to the downtown business centre, and revitalize industrial areas.