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Qualicum Beach rain garden receives award

Green project honoured by Vancouver Island Real Estate Board awards
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The Town of Qualicum Beach received awards for the construction of the rain garden and retention pond at the intersection of Memorial Avenue and Crescent Road East at the Vancouver Island Real Estate Board’s 11th annual Commercial Building Awards Thursday, April 19. — Photo submitted by Bob Weir, Town of Qualicum Beach

Parksville Qualicum Beach projects were recognized at the 2018 Vancouver Island Real Estate Board 11th annual Commercial Building Awards Thursday (April 19).

RELATED: Parksville, Qualicum Beach, Coombs projects finalists in commercial building awards

The Town of Qualicum Beach received two awards for the construction of the rain garden and retention pond at the intersection of Memorial Avenue and Crescent Road East, the town and the board announced Friday (April 20). The town received the Commercial Division Award of Excellence Green Award and the Award of Merit in the Community Amenity Division.

The Memorial Avenue rain garden and retention pond project introduced a multi-cell rain garden to reclaim a large area right of way that resulted from the realignment of the intersection of Memorial Avenue and Crescent Road West, according to a news release from the town. The rain garden cleanses the rainwater run-off from the commercial core while providing an aesthetic lift to the main gateway to Qualicum Beach. It also reduces flooding and stream erosion, supports summer stream flows, and minimizes water pollution.

Also winning an Award of Merit, in the Retail category, was Zolena boutique in the Coombs Market. The three-building complex follows in the footsteps of neighbouring Billy Gruff’s Creamery, which earned the same honour in the 2017 awards.

The Kingsley Housing Society was also given recognition for the work it did on building the Kingsley Manor project.

RELATED: New affordable housing to be finished in January

“Were pleased to receive the Seniors Housing Honourable Mention Award at the VIREB Commercial Awards announcements on April 19 in Nanaimo for our Kingsley Manor project,” building chair Duane Round told The NEWS. “The project was the first in B.C. to receive funding from the Canada Social Infrastructure program and was made possible by the huge support and efforts of MLA Michelle Stilwell and Parksville Mayor Marc Lefebvre. There is a need for all types of affordable housing in Parksville and our elected officials deserve credit for working hard to obtain the necessary funding.”

Other local projects that were nominated included Mid-Island Co-op liquor store in Parksville, Qualicum Foods in Qualicum Beach and Zolena Boutique in Coombs.

— NEWS Staff/QB news release