The Village of Pemberton's (VOP) regional multi-modal transportation hub is one step closer to becoming a reality.
On Thursday, April 21, the VOP announced it has successfully secured $1,856,721 in funding through the Rural and Northern Communities Infrastructure Program (RNCIP) for construction of the hub.
When completed, the hub will include a 50-car parking lot, washroom and change room facilities, electric vehicle charging stations, and covered bike storage.
"The Village is delighted to have secured funding for the construction of the park and ride facility," said Mayor Mike Richman in a press release.
“This central transportation hub will provide improved access to local and regional transit and rideshares for the Pemberton community. Users will be able to cycle, walk or drive to the park and ride and have access to a variety of transportation options all in one place. It’s important that this facility has functions beyond just a parking lot. We have included amenities such as washroom and changeroom facilities for those who will commute via bike or foot to the hub to catch transit to Whistler and beyond."
Plans for a park and ride facility have been in the works for more than three years now.
The first application for funding came in early 2019 but was ultimately denied in March 2020 due to limited funds. In fall of that year, council unanimously voted in favour of reapplying to the RNCIP, this time incorporating feedback from the funders to make the facility more than just a park and ride by adding the additional amenities in the proposal.
Now a multi-modal transportation hub, the facility, which will be located on Portage Road, east of Signal Hill Elementary School, also supports the goals of the VOP's Community Climate Action Plan (CCAP), which aims to reduce the community's emissions by 50 per cent from 2007 levels by 2030.
With approximately 83 per cent of the village's emissions coming from vehicles, the CCAP outlined finding and encouraging "active and accessible transportation and transit" as one of its six "big moves" to reach the town's emission reduction goals.
“Passenger vehicles are Pemberton’s largest contributor of greenhouse gas emissions so it’s exciting to be able to provide a facility that will enable community members to move beyond the car,” said Richman in the April 21 release. “I’m pleased that this project will not only deliver a fantastic amenity to the community, but also help us reduce our greenhouse gas emissions.”
With the cost of the facility projected to be in the ballpark of $1.6 million, the funding should cover all construction costs.
Once completed, the regional multi-modal transportation hub will be available to commuters seven days a week, 365 days a year.
