Contribution to the community part of port terminal expansion project beginning construction in Burrard Inlet this summer
The Vancouver Fraser Port Authority, in coordination with Centerm container terminal operator DP World, is donating $2 million to community initiatives as part of the Centerm Expansion Project in the Port of Vancouver.
“Our mandate is to enable Canada’s trade while protecting the environment and considering local communities,” said Robin Silvester, president and chief executive officer at the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority. “We recognize that Canada’s growing trade can impact local communities, and we are pleased to be able to contribute to programs, organizations, and community spaces that mean so much to residents who live near Centerm.”
The Centerm Expansion Project is being built to help meet anticipated near-term demand for containers shipped through the Port of Vancouver. The project will help accommodate imported clothing, food, and electronics, and exports such as pulp, paper, lumber, and specialty grains. By increasing the terminal footprint by only 15 per cent and rearranging the terminal operations, the terminal will be able to handle about 60 per cent more containers. The project is anticipated to be complete by the end of 2021.
As part of all significant infrastructure projects and its commitment to supporting thriving communities, the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority identifies opportunities to give back based on interest, need, recognition, proximity, project impacts, cost and feasibility.
The donation as part of the Centerm Expansion Project was determined based on input received from the community through formal engagement on the project. The donation includes:
- $1 million toward improvements to CRAB Park at Portside, the specifics of which will be determined by working with the Vancouver Park Board and other stakeholders through engagement with the local community
- $250,000 toward First Nations initiatives
- $125,000 to Strathcona Community Centre Association
- $125,000 to Ray-Cam Co-operative Association
- $500,000 to create the three-year Centerm Community Fund to support projects proposed by organizations in Downtown Eastside (including Chinatown, Gastown, Railtown), Strathcona, Hastings-Sunrise, and Grandview-Woodland
Organizations can learn more about how to apply to the new Centerm Community Fund at portvancouver.com/centerm-fund. The first submission period for applications will be open September 3-November 29, 2019.
For more information about the Centerm Expansion Project visit portvancouver.com/centerm-expansion.
QUOTES
“DP World focuses on long-term investments and strives to become a part of the communities in which we operate. Our history as part of the Vancouver waterfront community dates back to 1923, and over the decades, the success of Centerm has been driven by the support of the community and the hard work of generations of local men and women. We are pleased to be engaged in the Community Fund with the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority and are proud that the legacy of the Centerm Expansion Project will include significant community enhancements to be enjoyed by generations to come.“
– Maksim Mihic, General Manager, DP World (Canada) Inc.
“The Park Board would like to thank the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority for this donation toward much-needed improvements to CRAB Park at Portside and we look forward to hearing from local park users on how best to use these funds. We also recognize the continuing need for additional park, greenspace and shoreline habitat, in particular in the Downtown Eastside community.”
– Stuart Mackinnon, Chair, Vancouver Park Board
“The Strathcona Community Centre Association especially appreciates the ongoing generosity of the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority and its partners given that Strathcona’s diverse history and development is reflected by its location so close to the Port of Vancouver. Through this most recent contribution from the port authority and DP World we look forward to continued opportunities to strengthen and build our foundations through active community based programs and relationships.”
– Strathcona Community Centre Association Board of Directors
“Ray-Cam Co-operative Centre is so excited to be receiving this gift from the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority as part of the Centerm community investment. Ray-Cam’s mission is to encourage and support community members to utilize their strengths and gifts in the improvement of day to day life in the community. We strive to reduce disadvantage by providing free access to social activities, family programs and connections to resources and supports. This gift will help us greatly to support our youth, our children in childcare programs and our work towards creating an expanded community centre for the Downtown Eastside–Strathcona neighbourhood.”
– Jennifer Guest, President, RayCam Cooperative Centre Board of Directors
About the Centerm Expansion Project
The Centerm Expansion Project is being completed to help meet anticipated near-term demand for trade shipped in containers through the Port of Vancouver, including imported clothing, food, and electronics, and exports such as pulp, paper, lumber, and specialty grains. By increasing the terminal footprint by only 15 per cent and rearranging on-site operations, the facility will be able to handle about 60 per cent more containers. In addition to increasing the capacity of the terminal, the project is predicted to create 350 full time equivalent jobs per year during construction, 800-900 new jobs for ongoing operations related to the expansion, and 1,700-1,900 new jobs as part of the greater port economy (in fields such as logistics, supply chain, transloading, distribution).
The Centerm Expansion Project is being coordinated with the South Shore Access Project, and together the projects include reconfiguring and expanding the Centerm terminal, building a new overpass for Centennial Road, and connecting Waterfront Road to Centennial Road to create a continuous port road along the south shore of Burrard Inlet.
About Vancouver Fraser Port Authority
The Vancouver Fraser Port Authority is responsible for the stewardship of the federal port lands in and around Vancouver, British Columbia. It is financially self-sufficient and accountable to the federal minister of transport and operates pursuant to the Canada Marine Act. The Port of Vancouver is Canada’s largest, and the third largest in North America by tonnes of cargo, facilitating trade between Canada and more than 170 world economies. Located in a naturally beautiful setting on Canada’s west coast, the port authority and port terminals and tenants are responsible for the efficient and reliable movement of goods and passengers, integrating environmental, social and economic sustainability initiatives into all areas of port operations. Enabling the trade of approximately $240 billion in goods, port activities sustain 115,300 jobs, $7 billion in wages, and $11.9 billion in GDP across Canada.
Previous Vancouver Fraser Port Authority Community Investments to the communities along the south shore of the Burrard Inlet:
- Strathcona Community Centre, community event
- Crab-Water for Life Society – July 1 Crab Park Festival; and Annual Crab Society Children’s Christmas Event
- Hastings-Sunrise Community Policing Centre – Summer Kick-off
- Vancouver Aboriginal Friendship Centre Society
- Vancouver Aquarium Marine Mammal Rescue Centre
- BC non-profit housing association
- The port authority supports Mission Possible, an organization located in the Downtown Eastside, through the annual port gala, helping people challenged by homelessness or poverty.