VICTORIA - Environment Minister Mary Polak congratulated three award winners from British Columbia today on their significant contributions to brownfield redevelopment in the province.

The Downtown Nanaimo Business Improvement Association, the Town of Smithers, and president of the Canadian Brownfields Network Eric Pringle all were recognized with National Brownie Awards by the Canadian Urban Institute on Oct. 29 in Toronto.

Pringle was named Canada’s Brownfielder of the Year for his work in promoting innovation in brownfield redevelopment. Pringle has been a valued partner to the Ministry of Environment through his work with the B.C. Brownfield Renewal Strategy. His contributions include the creation of the B.C. Toolkit for Former Service Station Sites - the first B.C. website to provide information on how to address the redevelopment of former gas stations.

The Town of Smithers was presented with the award for Best Small/Medium Scale Project for their Bovill Square Legacy Project. Smithers bought an abandoned gas station site on its main street, remediated the lot, and built a new town square. Bovill Square was the focal point for the town’s centennial celebrations in 2013 and will host civic and cultural events for years to come.

The Downtown Nanaimo Business Improvement Association (DNBIA) took home the Brownie Award for communications, marketing and public engagement with respect to their Terminal Avenue Corridor Brownfield Redevelopment Project. More than 80 landowners collaborated with the Province on environmental, planning and design studies to lay the foundation for future revitalization of the transportation corridor through downtown Nanaimo. The Province helped fund the first phase of this project with a Provincial Brownfield Grant of $217,000 awarded in 2012, the largest award given that year.

As the provincial lead for brownfields, the Ministry of Environment works with local governments, property owners, developers, and other stakeholders to reduce contamination and site hazards while improving environmental protection and public health outcomes.

The CUI Brownie Awards program was established in 2001 and recognizes leadership, innovation and environmental sustainability in brownfields redevelopment and regeneration across Canada.

Quotes:

Mary Polak, Minister of Environment - 

“It is great to see B.C. so strongly represented at the National Brownie Awards and I congratulate our three award winners. Brownfield redevelopment generates significant economic, social and environmental benefits and more sustainable communities overall. By balancing economic development with good environmental stewardship we are helping to create more jobs both now and in the future.”

Learn More:

BC Newsroom - Ministry of Environment: http://www.newsroom.gov.bc.ca/ministries/environment-1

Media Contacts:

Ministry of Environment Communications
250 953-3834