DUNCAN – New Democrat MLA Doug Routley says that the Raptors Rescue Society will be receiving funding to construct an Education Centre, helping the community recover more quickly from the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic with help from new funding for local infrastructure projects.

“Our government is investing in tourism infrastructure that will support people right now and contribute to long-term economic resiliency,” said Routley, MLA for Nanaimo-North Cowichan. “This funding will provide the Raptors Rescue Society the resources to construct an Education Centre so they can provide people with hands-on education opportunities and improve conditions for the animals in their care.”

The Raptors Rescue Society is a non-profit wildlife rehabilitation centre in the Cowichan Valley that rescues, rehabilitates and releases wild raptors and other birds from all over lower Vancouver Island. They are receiving $387,350 for their project to construct an Education Centre which will include an indoor greenhouse flying space, wildlife gardens, aviaries, washroom facilities, parking facilities and an outdoor admissions area.

This funding is coming through B.C.’s CERIP (Community Economic Recovery Infrastructure Program) which is providing $100 million in one-time infrastructure grants for impactful projects across B.C. These projects will improve community economic resilience, develop tourism infrastructure, support unique heritage infrastructure, and support economic recovery for rural communities.

CERIP’s funding is distributed through different provincial ministries, including Municipal Affairs; Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport; and Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development.

This funding is part of BC’s $10 billion COVID-19 response to support people, businesses, communities, and critical services, and build a strong economic recovery that works for everyone.

Learn More: https://news.gov.bc.ca/23845