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Community: Prince Rupert, Vancouver (WA)

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The Prince Rupert Port Authority announced the latest beneficiary of its Community Investment Fund: the Harbour Theatre Society, which is in the process of upgrading its theatrical lighting.  In Washington State, the Port of Vancouver this July was awarded two grants from the Federal Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP), which will allow the port to accelerate plans to provide safe bike and pedestrian access along port property.

Prince Rupert Port Authority Contribution Brightens Limelight at Local Playhouse

Local actors and aspiring theatre technicians have new opportunities to practice their craft as a result of a Prince Rupert Port Authority Community Investment Fund contribution to the Harbour Theatre Society.

The Port Authority announced the latest beneficiary of the Community Investment Fund at the Tom Rooney Playhouse, where the Harbour Theatre Society is in the process of upgrading its theatrical lighting. The port authority's $5,000 contribution covered half of the $10,000 project, with the remainder of the cost raised by the society through event admissions, facility rental and government grants.

"Prince Rupert is home to a flourishing arts community, and by supporting our performing artists we are contributing to their individual growth and ensuring our community can continue to enjoy lively entertainment," said Don Krusel, President and CEO of the Prince Rupert Port Authority. "The Harbour Theatre Society has been an asset for people of all ages in Prince Rupert and the surrounding area for the last three decades, and we are always pleased to make contributions like this that improve the quality of life in our region."

The former lighting at the Playhouse was not only antiquated by today's theatre industry standards, but also required extensive training and technical expertise to operate. With few trained volunteers to work the equipment, expanding the production schedule for local performances proved difficult. The new system is easier to operate, and the skills required to run it are also compatible with the system in place at the Lester Centre of the Arts, where many Society productions are also performed. The equipment was also chosen for maximum compatibility with stagecraft courses at Charles Hays Secondary School.

The Port Authority's Community Investment Fund was established in 2010 and thus far has contributed more than $1 million to local initiatives.

Vancouver (WA): Bike Paths for Port Roadways

The Port of Vancouver this July was awarded two grants from the Federal Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP), which funds projects that support safe and efficient alternative transportation, such as bike and pedestrian paths. These grants, totaling just over $350,000, will allow the port to accelerate plans to provide safe bike and pedestrian access along port property.

Specifically, $289,600 in grant funding will be used to design and build a bike and pedestrian path. The 12-foot pathway will separate pedestrians and cyclists from higher speed traffic and offer safe access to jobs and recreational areas along Lower River Road. Construction is expected to begin in February 2014.

The remainder of the grant funding will be used to design a 1,750-foot section of pathway that will complete the connection to an existing 2,700-foot multi-use path. Construction of the existing path was completed by the port in March of this year as mitigation for the new Farwest Steel facility.


A bike path at the Port of Vancouver.
Photo/Port of Vancouver

The grant funded projects are part of the port’s overall plan to construct approximately 3.7 miles of safe passage for bicyclists and pedestrians. Future segments of the path will be funded as the port’s western properties such as Columbia Gateway are developed, or as additional grant funds are acquired.

The port’s pathway project will connect residential areas, the city of Vancouver’s bike path system, and C-Trans’ bus service network to the maritime and industrial businesses along Lower River Road, which make up one of Clark County’s largest job centers.

When complete, the pathway will provide additional benefit to the community in that it will also link neighborhoods to some of the region’s most utilized recreational areas.
 

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