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Historic northern B.C. rail station to be revitalized

The City of Prince Rupert received $1 million in provincial grant money to breath new life into the 100-year-old CN Rail station, which served as the western terminal of the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway.
Arthur Williams
Arthur Williams
Prince Rupert station
The historic CN Rail station in Prince Rupert is seen in an archive photo. The station was built in 1922, and has been a designated Heritage Railway Station since 1992.Parks Canada archive photo

On Thursday, the B.C. Ministry of Jobs, Economic Recovery and Innovation announced $1 million in funding for the City of Prince Rupert’s planned revitalization of the historic CN Rail station along the city’s waterfront.

The 100-year-old building was the terminal stop on the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway line, which ran from Winnipeg to Prince Rupert. The station has been designated a Heritage Railway Station by Parks Canada since 1992.

“The building has sat vacant and in disrepair on the waterfront for many years. Revitalization of the City’s waterfront has long been a priority of the Official Community Plan, and refurbishment of the CN station was included in the Redesign Rupert public design consultation completed by the Planning Partnership in 2018, and included in the 2030 Vision,” the City of Prince Rupert’s website says about the project. “Architectural designs and cost estimates for the building have now been completed, and the City has selected Wheelhouse Brewing as the commercial tenant.”

The planned redevelopment of the CN Rail station is part of the larger Redesign Rupert initiative, which calls for redevelopment of the city’s waterfront.

“The project will be a flagship for community renewal in a central waterfront location,” a statement issued by the province on Thursday said. “Much of Prince Rupert's waterfront is industrial, and the revitalized heritage rail space will improve the community's limited access to the water.”

Part of the plan calls for the construction of two new ferry berths to serve the city’s airport and Kitkatla ferries.

“The intent is to create a new multi-faceted waterfront development including a marine terminal that will serve as the basis for regional improvements to marine transportation infrastructure, while enhancing the lived experience of residents and visitors to Prince Rupert,” the City of Prince Rupert’s website says.

ABATTOIR PLANNED NEAR QUESNEL

A Class A abattoir planned by the ?Esdilagh First Nation, located near Quesnel, was also one of eight rural economic development projects to receive funding. The First Nation received $410,000 to fund the planning process for an abattoir on Highway 97 South.

The planned abattoir is expected to be able to slaughter and process up to 30 cattle per day, and a greater number of smaller animals like pigs and sheep.

The planning process will include hiring a consultant to develop a business plan, design the proposed abattoir and conduct community consultation, including with area construction companies and butchers.

"People throughout rural B.C. are working hard to create economies in which residents and their communities can thrive," said Roly Russell, parliamentary secretary for Rural Development. "I'm happy to be part of a government that recognizes the importance and value of thriving and diverse rural communities, and I'm happy we're able to help support these locally led projects. We will keep working with communities in every part of B.C. to build healthy, local economies that work for all of us."