Videos

LOCAL GOVERMENT HOUSE OPENS IN VICTORIA

Premier Gordon Campbell helped to officially open the new Local Government House in Victoria on July 14. The Province donated the land for the building, which is home to the Union of British Columbia Municipalities. The new facility meets LEED gold standards and was built using B.C. products, including pine beetle-enhanced wood.

BUILDING STRONGER COMMUNITIES

A look at some of the innovative, community-based infrastructure projects developed by B.C. local governments in partnership with the provincial government.  hi-speed | lo-speed 

B.C. SPIRIT SQUARES: CREATING A LASTING LEGACY

B.C.’s Spirit Squares are community gathering places, tributes to history and culture, and a lasting legacy for the enjoyment of residents and visitors alike.  hi-speed | lo-speed

Download B.C. Spirit Squares booklet [PDF – 3 MB]
Funded Projects

CREATING SPIRIT SQUARES

Premier Campbell announced funding for Spirit Squares while visiting several communities on March 14, 2008. Abbotsford received $500,000 to help create a civic plaza that will highlight its historical roots and ethnic diversity. The District of Mission will use $345,000 in provincial funding to redevelop its waterfront. The grounds of Pitt Meadows's City Hall will be transformed, thanks to $500,000 from the provincial government. And, a renewed Hyack Square will provide a welcoming gathering place in New Westminster's historic downtown thanks to $382,500 from the Province's B.C. Spirit Squares program.

SPREADING SPIRIT IN BURNABY

Burnaby's popular and picturesque Deer Lake Park Festival Lawn will become home to a B.C. Spirit Square that will enhance festival space and give the community a central place to gather and celebrate. Premier Gordon Campbell announced $500,000 in provincial support for the project on February 22, 2008. The funding will support a level stage area with terraced lawn seating, a perimeter area for concession facilities, concert sponsor tents and service access.

CASTLEGAR CELEBRATES SPIRIT SQUARE

A $109,000 grant from the Province’s Spirit Squares program will enable Castlegar to build a brand new gathering place that reflects the people, history and spirit of the community. August 15, 2007. The community’s Spirit Square will be a unique plaza-like space offering seating and shade, a place for the community Christmas tree and a small speaker’s podium.

MERRITT'S SPIRIT SQUARE

The Province is providing $500,000 through the Spirit Squares program to the City of Merritt to transform a downtown parking lot into Legacy Plaza, a gathering place that will be able to host outdoor community events in the heart of downtown, Premier Gordon Campbell announced July 25, 2007. The plaza will embody the community’s distinctive historical cultural and natural elements, including a waterfall feature with First Nations art and First Nations themed murals. It will also reflect the city’s revitalization as the Country Music Capital of Canada, marking the starting point of the popular ‘Merritt Walk of Stars.’

VICTORIA CELEBRATES SPIRIT SQUARE

Victoria will develop its very own B.C. Spirit Square, welcoming residents and visitors through a unique First Nations gate, thanks to $500,000 from the provincial government. Video shot Oct. 4, 2007. The First Nations Gate will be a key feature in the City’s Centennial Square Revitalization project. It will be marked by two prominent 360-degree totem poles, each representing the Songhees and Esquimalt Nations. The 16-foot-high poles will be designed and created by a team of local First Nations carvers. Spirit Square funds will also support other key features in the square, including a children’s water feature with ground-based spray fountains, mosaic tiling and a portable stage for performance events.

THE SPIRIT OF WEST VANCOUVER

The Premier announced on August 2 the Province is providing the District of West Vancouver with $500,000 to help create a Spirit Square in its new Civic Centre atrium. The funding will help create a 325-square-metre atrium connecting the Community and Aquatic centres. Fully retractable walls will seamlessly connect the atrium to surrounding outdoor gathering spaces. The North Plaza, part of the larger Civic Centre project, will include a musical garden with seating, chimes, wind gongs and talk tubes. The area will be further enhanced by public art that will be commissioned in partnership with the Squamish Nation.

LIVESMART BC GREEN CITIES AWARDS