PENDER HARBOUR – New Democrat MLA Nicholas Simons says a new project coming to Pender Harbour will use mass timber products, which reduce greenhouse gas emissions and help grow the province’s clean economy.

“This new project will be an exciting development for our community,” said Nicholas Simons, MLA for Powell River-Sunshine Coast. “Not only will the Pender Harbour Ocean Discovery Station draw visitors to the Sunshine Coast, the facility will showcase how we can use natural resources in an innovative and sustainable way.”

The Loon Foundation is receiving $388,000 to develop the Pender Harbour Ocean Discovery Station (PODS). This marine facility will be the tallest and first Net Zero Carbon mass timber building on the Sunshine Coast. In keeping with the region’s maritime culture, the “pod” design, resembling wooden boats, will attract visitors from land and sea to this research, education, and recreation hub. The nearly all-wood structure features glue-laminated and cross-laminated timber, and a Douglas Fir-clad interior.

This project is one of 12 new mass timber demonstration and research projects that the BC New Democrat government is funding, which will help further expand the use of mass timber in B.C.’s construction sector by providing designers and builders with real-world knowledge and experience they can learn from.

Supporting mass timber construction brings the province closer to its goal of building a more sustainable, inclusive and innovative economy for people, businesses and communities throughout B.C. 

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For more information: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2023JEDI0041-001123