The Pemberton Transfer Station will soon be under new management—at a new location—and the move will mean more jobs for the Lil'wat Nation.
On Oct. 5, the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District (SLRD) and Lil’wat Construction Enterprises (LCE) announced a new agreement that will see LCE take over the operations and servicing of the Pemberton Transfer Station for a three-year term, plus renewal rights, effective Nov. 1.
GFL Environmental Inc. currently provides the operations and maintenance, while Stable Enterprises Ltd provides site management, for the transfer station located at 1974 Carpenter Road. The SLRD's agreements with both companies expire on Oct. 31.
The transfer station is currently being relocated to the SLRD-owned land at 1929 Stonecutter Place in the Pemberton Business and Industrial Park, and will be operational on Nov. 1
“This project has been a long time coming, and it’s fantastic to see it all falling into place. A lot of work has gone into this project, and here we are—a year after construction started, ready to open the new facility in a matter of days, with a new contractor in place, and no disruptions to service, even during the construction period," said Electoral Area C Director Russell Mack, in a release.
“Residents of Electoral Area C and the Village of Pemberton will soon have access to this new-and-improved site, the SLRD benefits from being the owner of this property, and we’re entering into a ground-breaking partnership with an established, well-respected, local company that provides significant jobs and aligns with our commitment to sustainability. This is good news for everyone involved.”
Construction of the new transfer station began in April 2021, and is designed to support growth in the Pemberton Valley and the regional district’s work toward its zero-waste goal.
LCE’s parent organization, the Lil’wat Business Group (LBG), is locally-owned and operated, and is one of the largest employers in the area., the release said, adding that LCE is committed to hiring local staff to manage the facility and pay at or above a living wage.
“We are proud to work with the SLRD on this exciting project and in providing this important service to the community,” said Dwayne Stanshall, CEO of the Lil’wat Business Group.
“Growing Lil’wat Construction Enterprises is a priority for the Lil’wat Nation to support economic development and business. With our experience and resources, we are committed to delivering an exceptional service that will benefit our communities.”
Additionally, the Pemberton Transfer Station will see increased tipping fees effective Nov. 1. The new rates can be found here.
