City of Prince Rupert and PRPA Partner to Replace Lester Centre Roof
EFFECTIVE NOVEMBER 28, 2024
PRINCE RUPERT, BRITISH COLUMBIA – The Lester Centre of the Arts has undergone a critical structural upgrade, helping ensure the long-term survival of the municipally-owned landmark. The Prince Rupert Port Authority’s (PRPA) Community Investment Fund collaborated with the City of Prince Rupert to fund and install new metal roofing, gutters, drains and flashing.
This is the latest in a series of improvement projects supported by PRPA to revitalize this key City and community asset from top to bottom. PRPA committed over $317,540 to this project, bringing PRPA’s total contributions towards upgrading the Lester Centre to more than $1 million.
The roof upgrade covers several sections of the building that had begun to leak in recent years, threatening the Lester Centre’s ongoing operations. Replacing this original infrastructure, which dated back to the facility’s opening in 1987, protects the theatre, lobby, rehearsal space, and dressing rooms that are used by thousands of people each year for a wide variety of live performances and special events.
“The stage of the Lester Centre is where so many Rupertites get their first opportunity at artistic expression and performance. Many of them become regular performers and even move on to bigger stages and audiences,” said Mayor Herb Pond. “This facility was a generational investment from our predecessors at the City, and we are proud to contribute to its lasting legacy through 50% funding of this roof project.”
“PRPA prides itself on always being ready to contribute to community projects that make a difference to the lives of local residents. Our investments in upgrading and maintaining this municipal facility will have a lasting impact on current and future generations of community members as they share in the Lester Centre’s history, whether performing on stage, volunteering behind the scenes, or being entertained in the audience,” said Shaun Stevenson, President & CEO, Prince Rupert Port Authority.
PRPA has previously contributed to five other enhancement projects that have improved the Lester Centre of the Arts and its longevity:
- Please Be Seated: Theatre seating replacement: $302,500
- Sound system upgrade: $103,000
- Roof replacement phase I: $74,590
- Stage lighting upgrade: $114,500
- Stage floor and lobby carpet replacement: $148,160
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ABOUT THE COMMUNITY INVESTMENT FUND
The Community Investment Fund is financed by a share of the Prince Rupert Port Authority’s annual net income that has been dedicated to improving the quality of life for residents of the North Coast. By investing these funds into community projects, led mostly by dedicated local volunteers, the Port Authority has been able to share its financial success with the communities that enable it. Since 2010, more than $18.9 million has been committed to the Fund, helping to bring more than 115 local and regional projects to life. Each of these projects has filled an important role in supporting recreation, health and wellness, arts and culture, youth, education, the environment, and other needs in the community.
FOR MEDIA INQUIRIES CONTACT:
Olivia Mowatt
Senior Communications Officer
Prince Rupert Port Authority
250-627-2588
omowatt@rupertport.com
Veronika Stewart
Manager of Communications, Engagement and Social Development|
City of Prince Rupert
250-627-0976
veronika.stewart@princerupert.ca
EFFECTIVE NOVEMBER 15, 2024
PRINCE RUPERT, BRITISH COLUMBIA – Santa Claus is returning to the North Coast this holiday season aboard the Jingle Boat Express on the Inside Passage. The popular community event is making a comeback with the support of Northern Savings Credit Union, Prince Rupert Port Authority (PRPA), AltaGas, DP World, Pembina, and Saam Towage.
For the first time since 2019, local families will have the opportunity to set sail with Santa as he spreads holiday cheer around Prince Rupert harbour. Four festive sailings are scheduled to depart from Cow Bay Marina on Sunday December 8th at 12:00pm, 1:00pm, 2:00pm, and 3:00pm.
Demand is expected to be high, and those interested in purchasing tickets are asked to pre-register at https://altagas.ticketspice.com/jingleboat-express to enter a draw.
The winners will be randomly chosen for the four sailings and contacted directly by organizers. Families can purchase a maximum of four passes for $5 each. Tickets must be paid for in cash on the day of the event, with 100 percent of the proceeds going to the Friendship House Association of Prince Rupert to support local children and families in need.
“The Jingle Boat Express is one of my favourite ways to visit Prince Rupert and I cannot wait to be back on the water with young and old to share these magical moments together once again,” said Santa Claus.
“The Friendship House Association of Prince Rupert is thrilled to see this beloved local tradition being revived for the benefit of children and families on the North Coast,” said Anna Zanella, Friendship House Association of Prince Rupert Executive Director. “We extend our gratitude to the Jingle Boat Express sponsors, community members, and Santa Claus for all their support this holiday season.”
Those needing assistance to enter the draw can visit PRPA’s Port Interpretive Centre (100-215 Cow Bay Road) from 8:00am to 4:30pm, Monday through Friday.
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FOR MEDIA INQUIRIES CONTACT:
Olivia Mowatt
Senior Communications Officer
Prince Rupert Port Authority
omowatt@rupertport.com
EFFECTIVE NOVEMBER 13, 2024
PRINCE RUPERT, BRITISH COLUMBIA – The Prince Rupert Port Authority’s (PRPA) Community Investment Fund is helping transform healthcare for vulnerable newborns, mothers, and their families in northwest BC. Through a partnership with the Dr. REM Lee Hospital Foundation, PRPA is committing $430,000 to the region’s first ever Tier 3 Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and Special Care Nursery. This investment will help keep patients closer to their homes, families, and support systems during their most physically and emotionally challenging days.
The $14.5 million state-of-the-art facility will soon open at the new Ksyen Regional Hospital in Terrace to serve mothers and babies from Atlin and Dease Lake to the north and Kitimat to the south; Smithers and Houston to the east and Prince Rupert and Haida Gwaii to the west.
“The NICU and Special Care Nursery will save many at-risk patients the hazards and stress of being medically evacuated to Vancouver or Prince George and spare their families the complexities and financial burdens of travelling to an unfamiliar place to be with their loved ones during a traumatic time,” said Shaun Stevenson, President and CEO, Prince Rupert Port Authority. “We are honoured to help provide greater access to high-level care and better outcomes for people from across northwest BC.”
“Over the last 3.5 years, 93 mothers with a birth emergency were transferred out of our region to hospitals with higher level of care. 55 newborns made this same precarious journey. That is 148 families who coped with the stress of separation and travel associated with these transfers,” said Chris Mallett, Dr. REM Lee Foundation President. “The goal is to reduce the cost and trauma for other northern families like these!”
The new NICU and Special Care Nursery will offer an advanced level of obstetrical and neonatal services. With expanded birthing capabilities, the unit will be able to support deliveries and newborn care at 34 weeks, and in emergent cases 32 weeks – five weeks ahead of existing capacities.
With this project, PRPA has now contributed over $500,000 to Dr. REM Lee Foundation’s initiatives to enhance regional healthcare. Since the Community Investment Fund’s inception, PRPA has committed more than $1.65 million to projects that improve the quality of care and comfort for northwest BC residents of all ages.
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ABOUT THE COMMUNITY INVESTMENT FUND
The Community Investment Fund is financed by a share of the Prince Rupert Port Authority’s annual net income that has been dedicated to improving the quality of life for residents of the North Coast. By investing these funds into community projects, led mostly by dedicated local volunteers, the Port Authority has been able to share its financial success with the communities that enable it. Since 2010, more than $18.9 million has been committed to the Fund, helping to bring more than 115 local and regional projects to life. Each of these projects has filled an important role in supporting recreation, health and wellness, arts and culture, youth, education, the environment, and other needs in the community.
PAST HEALTHCARE PROJECTS:
- Prince Rupert Regional Hospital Bed Replacement Project – $150,000
- Prince Rupert Regional Hospital Enhanced Laparoscopic Tower – $128,050
- Prince Rupert Regional Hospital Second Laparoscopic Tower – $128,000
- Prince Rupert Regional Hospital Maternity Ward Renovation – $125,000
- Prince Rupert Regional Hospital Visiting Specialist Optimization – $108,000
- Prince Rupert Regional Hospital Cancer Care Unit upgrade – $100,000
- Prince Rupert Regional Hospital Diagnostic Ultrasound Machine upgrade – $72,500
- Prince Rupert Regional Hospital X-Ray Machine Replacement – $69,750
- Prince Rupert Regional Hospital Orthopedic Surgical Equipment – $60,500
- Prince Rupert Regional Hospital Laparoscopic Surgical Tower – $60,000
- Mills Memorial Hospital Ear, Nose and Throat Navigation System – $51,000
- Prince Rupert Regional Hospital In-patient Bathtub upgrade – $45,500
- Prince Rupert Regional Hospital Palliative Care upgrades – $36,500
- Prince Rupert Hospital Cancer Screening Scope Guide – $35,260
- Mills Memorial Hospital Uterine Scope & Fluid Management System – $19,500
- Acropolis Manor Wall Wrap Project – $18,130
- Acropolis Manor Door Wrap Project – $15,000
FOR MEDIA INQUIRIES CONTACT:
Olivia Mowatt
Senior Communications Officer
Prince Rupert Port Authority
omowatt@rupertport.com
