Government of Canada Invests in the City of Kelowna
KELOWNA, British Columbia, September 23, 2009 - - On behalf of the Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, Ron Cannan, Member of Parliament (Kelowna-Lake Country), today announced funding for the City of Kelowna.
The City of Kelowna will use this funding to support renovations to the historic Laurel Packinghouse, home to the BC Orchard Industry Museum and the BC Wine Museum. The Packinghouse will receive seismic upgrades and improvements to its electrical, mechanical, plumbing, and fire-suppression systems. The removal of interior walls, relocation of the loading docks, and a reorganization of the space will result in an increase in area and improved physical conditions for exhibition and museum collections. All upgrades to this Kelowna landmark will not only ensure its long-term safety, but also restore its original external appearance.
"Under the leadership of Prime Minister Stephen Harper, our Government's Economic Action Plan is providing much-needed funding to local heritage institutions," said Minister Moore. "Our Government is proud to support institutions like the Laurel Packinghouse that play an important role in developing and sustaining the economic future of Canadian communities, as well as in facilitating access to the treasures of our collective heritage."
"The Laurel Packinghouse is an important part of our community, and I am very pleased that our Government is able to provide much-needed funding to help restore this important heritage asset in our community," said Mr. Cannan. "Beginning immediately, this project will employ close to 150 skilled workers and invigorate the community."
"More than any other building, the Laurel Packinghouse--British Columbia's largest fruit-packing house of the early 20th century and the first heritage building in Kelowna to be designated--best commemorates the City's ongoing connection to this fertile valley," said Sharon Shepherd, Mayor of Kelowna. "Kelowna is very excited to partner with the Government of Canada in the restoration of this building for the enjoyment of current and future generations."
The historic Laurel Packinghouse, a nationally designated heritage landmark, is the oldest and largest standing packinghouse in British Columbia. The Laurel Packinghouse was built over the winter of 1917-1918 of bricks made locally from clay from Knox Mountain and was a working packinghouse until the 1970s.
The Government of Canada has provided funding of $1.1 million under the Canada Cultural Spaces Fund (formerly Cultural Spaces Canada). This program of the Department of Canadian Heritage seeks to improve physical conditions for artistic creativity and arts presentation or exhibition. It is also designed to increase access for Canadians to performing, visual, and media arts, and to museum collections and heritage displays.
For more information, contact:
Deirdra McCracken
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of
Canadian Heritage and
Official Languages
819-997-7788
deirdra.mccracken@pch.gc.ca
Ginette Montreuil
Regional Manager
Communications
Western Region
Canadian Heritage
604-666-6504
Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
819-994-9101
1-866-569-6155
media@pch.gc.ca
TTY: 1-888-997-3123
The City of Kelowna will use this funding to support renovations to the historic Laurel Packinghouse, home to the BC Orchard Industry Museum and the BC Wine Museum. The Packinghouse will receive seismic upgrades and improvements to its electrical, mechanical, plumbing, and fire-suppression systems. The removal of interior walls, relocation of the loading docks, and a reorganization of the space will result in an increase in area and improved physical conditions for exhibition and museum collections. All upgrades to this Kelowna landmark will not only ensure its long-term safety, but also restore its original external appearance.
"Under the leadership of Prime Minister Stephen Harper, our Government's Economic Action Plan is providing much-needed funding to local heritage institutions," said Minister Moore. "Our Government is proud to support institutions like the Laurel Packinghouse that play an important role in developing and sustaining the economic future of Canadian communities, as well as in facilitating access to the treasures of our collective heritage."
"The Laurel Packinghouse is an important part of our community, and I am very pleased that our Government is able to provide much-needed funding to help restore this important heritage asset in our community," said Mr. Cannan. "Beginning immediately, this project will employ close to 150 skilled workers and invigorate the community."
"More than any other building, the Laurel Packinghouse--British Columbia's largest fruit-packing house of the early 20th century and the first heritage building in Kelowna to be designated--best commemorates the City's ongoing connection to this fertile valley," said Sharon Shepherd, Mayor of Kelowna. "Kelowna is very excited to partner with the Government of Canada in the restoration of this building for the enjoyment of current and future generations."
The historic Laurel Packinghouse, a nationally designated heritage landmark, is the oldest and largest standing packinghouse in British Columbia. The Laurel Packinghouse was built over the winter of 1917-1918 of bricks made locally from clay from Knox Mountain and was a working packinghouse until the 1970s.
The Government of Canada has provided funding of $1.1 million under the Canada Cultural Spaces Fund (formerly Cultural Spaces Canada). This program of the Department of Canadian Heritage seeks to improve physical conditions for artistic creativity and arts presentation or exhibition. It is also designed to increase access for Canadians to performing, visual, and media arts, and to museum collections and heritage displays.
For more information, contact:
Deirdra McCracken
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of
Canadian Heritage and
Official Languages
819-997-7788
deirdra.mccracken@pch.gc.ca
Ginette Montreuil
Regional Manager
Communications
Western Region
Canadian Heritage
604-666-6504
Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
819-994-9101
1-866-569-6155
media@pch.gc.ca
TTY: 1-888-997-3123