Ladysmith waterfront gets a $1.8 million boost
LADYSMITH — Plans to revitalize Ladysmith’s waterfront kicked into gear after a major funding announcement from the federal government.
Selina Robinson, minister of municipal affairs and housing in B.C. who spoke on behalf of the federal government, announced nearly $1.8 million for repairs and upgrades to the Machine Shop building on Oyster Bay Rd. in Ladysmith on Friday, March 9. It houses an art gallery, the Heritage Centre and the Maritime Society, among others.
“It’s where artists gather, it’s where tourists come, it’s a good economic driver for the community and it also has a historical component to it that helps people remember where Ladysmith started,” Robinson said. “It’s really part of remembering where you come from so that you can also move forward into the future.”
Built in 1943, the building is a central part of Ladysmith’s waterfront area plan, which aims to revitalize the area and bring it in line with the quaint downtown and Transfer Beach.