Anmore is a step closer to getting a proper town hall.
Or rather, a big dig.
Tuesday (June 6) the village north of Port Moody broke ground on its new Community Hub. The $8.5-million project is the first purpose-built municipal facility ever constructed for Anmore.
“This was one of the top priorities for our council,” said Mayor John McEwen, who was joined by several special guests to stab spades into the ground next to Spirit Park. “Today’s celebration marks the beginning of a new community facility that will make it easier for us to serve our residents and celebrate as a community.”
Among the dignitaries were members of the Smurthwaite family who donated the old Ma Murray house for use as a village hall in the late 1980s. When that building was no longer viable, staff moved into trailers.
The new building will provide administration space as well as room for an emergency operations centre and reception area when needed. A new council chamber will have room for seating as well as technology for live-streaming meetings. It will also function as a community room to host indoor events and activities.
As well, the facility will have accessible public washrooms that can also be used during outdoor events at the park.
The project is being partially funded by $2.5 million joint federal and provincial Investing in Infrastructure grant and another $125,000 in provincial grants.
