PRPA Supports Renovations at Friendship House of Prince Rupert

PRPA SUPPORTS RENOVATIONS AT FRIENDSHIP HOUSE OF PRINCE RUPERT

EFFECTIVE JULY 2, 2021

PRINCE RUPERT, BRITISH COLUMBIA – The Friendship House of Prince Rupert’s lobby is now a more welcoming and efficient space for the thousands of people who regularly come through their doors. The reception and front hallway areas were renovated through a partnership with the Prince Rupert Port Authority’s (PRPA) Community Investment Fund, as part of a multi-phase modernization project, with the goal of providing Friendship House staff and clients a vastly improved environment for program delivery.

To accommodate the growing needs of the organization and handle the traffic coming in and out of the Friendship House, the entrance and reception spaces have been completely overhauled. The area has a new doorway, flooring, walls, ceiling, lighting, stairwell, and office space. There are also new security features allowing staff to control who is admitted into the main part of the building. PRPA contributed $62,500 to the project, covering half of the total cost.

“This renovation has greatly improved our ability to serve our clients by creating a safer, more secure, and more inviting space for them to sign-in for programs, receive referrals, access washrooms, and socialize with friends,” said Anna Zanella, Executive Director, Friendship House Association of Prince Rupert. “We are grateful to the Prince Rupert Port Authority for its continued support in modernizing our facilities, which helps us to enhance our services and bring more people together under our roof.”

The Friendship House of Prince Rupert is part of a nationwide network of Friendship Centres, and has been serving the community since 1958, offering educational, cultural, health, and recreational programs with an emphasis on assisting Indigenous people in an urban setting. In addition to serving Prince Rupert, Friendship House supports several surrounding communities including Port Edward, Metlakatla, Gitxaala, Lax Kw’alaams, Hartley Bay, and Haida Gwaii, with an average 100,000 client interaction a year through more than 30 programs and services.

“The Friendship House of Prince Rupert has an immeasurable impact on North Coast communities, and we are proud to support their efforts to enrich the lives of residents of all ages,” said Shaun Stevenson, President and CEO, Prince Rupert Port Authority. “Through this Community Investment Fund project, we are enabling their dedicated staff to better accommodate clients and continue to provide a high standard of service and care for decades to come.”

In addition to the new construction, the lobby now features stunning new artwork by local artist, Lucy Woodman called ‘Whales and Waves’. The design depicts a family of black fish swimming by moonlight to urban areas, to find a home away from home in the Friendship Centre movement.

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ABOUT THE PRINCE RUPERT PORT AUTHORITY’S 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 2009, more than $14.3 million dollars have been committed to the Fund, helping to make more than 84 local projects come to life. Each of these projects has filled an important role in supporting arts and culture, recreation, health and wellness, youth, education, the environment and other needs in the community.