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Nanaimo Train Station "All Aboard"
Oct 13/09 - PDF

ICF a Unique Ownership Model
July 20/09 - PDF

New Executive Director
June 4/09 - PDF

ICF-SVI Agreement
Jan 9/09 - PDF

Rail Study Funding
Nov 27/08 - PDF

Campaign Update
Nov 19/08 - PDF

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Aug 25/08 - PDF

Save Rail in Nanaimo
Aug 13/08 - PDF

ICF at Coombs Fair
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Campaign Update
Jul 10/08 - PDF

ICF announcement
Mar 4/08 - PDF

News Releases

Our Most Recent Release

Nanaimo Train Station ‘All Aboard’
VIA Confirms $800,000 Assistance

For immediate release
October 13, 2009

NANAIMO – It’s “All Aboard” for the restoration of the Nanaimo train station with the confirmation by VIA Rail of their $869,000 contribution, says Graham Bruce, executive director of the Island Corridor Foundation.

Bruce said the $2.4 million heritage station project was dependent on the VIA contribution and their interest in having passenger space in the restored building.

“VIA has been very helpful and this gives renewed life to an ongoing and improved passenger rail service for the Island” stated Bruce.

An energetic volunteer team under the leadership of Doug Backhouse has been assembled to guide the reconstruction project through the various stages of design, financing, permitting and securing tenants.

The fully restored station will provide space for the renewed passenger service but there will also be opportunities for commercial and office uses within the restored heritage station as well. It is anticipated site preparation will begin this fall and the process of finding new tenants is well underway with DTZ Barnicke’s Nanaimo office.

Dr.James Lunney, MP for Nanaimo- Alberni, was especially pleased with VIA’s involvement and the tremendous volunteer effort to restore the station.

Lunney, who just recently announced the new Nanaimo cruise ship facility, said ongoing rail service offers significant opportunities with the cruise ship industry while providing improved passenger service as well.

“I am hopeful we can continue to count on VIA’s assistance as we all work to optimize the economic benefits rail could bring to Nanaimo and Vancouver Island. Having a new station that will meet the needs of passengers and tourists is essential,” said Lunney.

Ron Cantelon, MLA for Parksville, acknowledged the extra effort people in the community had taken to preserve the heritage station.

“VIA’s contribution to the project is very much appreciated and hopefully bodes well for the future of rail on the Island,” said Cantelon.

“Nanaimo is the Hub city for the Island and with new and improved rail, air and sea operations it can be the catalyst for sparking the Island economy,” added Cantelon.

John Wesley, ICF Board member representing the Snuneymuxw First Nation said “I am looking forward to working with the project team in how best to develop a First Nation cultural display in the new station.”

Mary Ashley, ICF co-chair, said she was very appreciative of the Heritage Façade Restoration Grant provided by the Downtown Nanaimo Partnership Society and the City of Nanaimo. Working with the station restoration project team, the DNPS and the City have recognized the potential that the station restoration project offers for Nanaimo’s downtown.

Bruce said the project will be managed in two phases, the first being the exterior restoration with the second phase completing the interior according to the tenant needs.

The rail corridor from Victoria to Courtenay and Parksville to Port Alberni is owned by the ICF. The ICF is a society representing 13 First Nations, 14 Municipalities and 5 Regional Districts.

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For more information contact:

Graham Bruce
Executive Director,
Island Corridor Foundation
250-246-4320 (office)
250-210-0411 (mobile)
granneke@shaw.ca

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The ICF is a partnership of 13 First Nations, five regional and 14 municipal governments that took ownership of the 290-kilometre rail corridor in 2005 on behalf of the people and communities of Vancouver Island. Under an agreement with the foundation, Southern Railway of Vancouver Island acts as the rail operator for both freight and passenger services. VIA Rail, which offers the current passenger service, is fully supportive of the revitalization plan. Visit www.islandcorridofoundation.ca for more information.