The Chair of the Cariboo Chilcotin Beetle Action Coalition (CCBAC) announced that the Quesnel Tillicum Society (QTS) will receive $150,000 towards its building renovation project, the Quesnel Tillicum Society – Friendship Centre Rejuvenation.
The QTS’ building is 40 years old and requires a number of upgrades to make it more attractive, energy efficient and welcoming. The renovation will create new skills training space for people looking to enter the workforce in the restaurant industry and will allow the Tillicum Society to develop a food security program for low income families.
Construction is scheduled to begin this fall with an official opening in the spring of 2015. The project will provide welcome construction work for trades people during the winter months which are often a slower time in the construction sector.
The project budget is $270,000 with $150,000 coming from CCBAC, $30,000 from the Northern Development Initiative Trust (NDIT), $48,500 from BC Creative Spaces, $20,000 from the Quesnel Tillicum Society and $20,000 in apprenticeship support from the Cariboo Chilcotin Aboriginal Training and Employment Centre.
“The CCBAC Board unanimously endorsed the funding application from the Quesnel Tillicum Society as the project provides a variety of benefits including skills training, construction employment through the building renovation and a food security program for low income families,” CCBAC chair Chad Mernett said.
“The provincial government established CCBAC to work closely with communities and First Nations in our region to support projects that mitigate the impact of the beetle epidemic and the Tillicum Society renovation project does that.”
“CCBAC’s support will allow us to move forward with our project and generate new benefits and opportunities for people in Quesnel and the North Cariboo. We also thank our other funding partners for without them our building renovation wouldn’t be possible,” QTS executive director Sandy Brunton said.
“This project demonstrates what happens when a variety of groups and agencies come together to support a common cause with multiple positive outcomes.
“We are very thankful for the support we have received from CCBAC Director Mayor Mary Sjostrom, MLA Minister Coralee Oakes, our funding partners, and people throughout our community and area.
“Our project demonstrates the resilience of Quesnel and the spirit of giving and support that defines our community.”