Innergex donates $500,000 to friendship trail bridge: Regional Partners Set to Move Bridge Planning Forward

PEMBERTON, BC, Nov. 28, 2014 /CNW/ - The Friendship Trail Bridge Project has moved a step closer to its fundraising goal thanks to a generous contribution from Innergex Renewable Energy Inc. (TSX:INE). The Company announced it will donate $500,000 to the project and will also provide in-kind technical support, engineering advice, and assistance with sourcing potential contractors.

"We are honoured and proud to be a part of this initiative," declares Richard Blanchet, Innergex's Senior Vice President – Western Region. "The Friendship Trail and Bridge will provide practical and recreational benefits for all the communities in the region." Innergex has four operating run-of-river hydro facilities and two run-of-river hydro projects under construction in the Sea-to-Sky Corridor.   

"Once again, Innergex has demonstrated their commitment to this region and to our communities. This contribution takes us one step closer to realizing our long term vision of physically connecting our community with Pemberton," says Chief Lucinda Phillips. "We look forward to working with our partners in completing both this section and the balance of the Friendship Trail to Mount Currie."

The Friendship Trail Bridge, to be built over the Lillooet River, is part of the Friendship Trail, a 7 km-long non-motorized, multi-use trail that will provide a safe and ecological means to physically, socially, and economically connect the nearly 5,600 residents within Area C of the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District (SLRD), the Village of Pemberton, and Lil'wat Nation. The Friendship Trail will be a vital link in the SLRD's Sea to Sky Trail, which, when complete, will be a 180 km multi-use trail linking the Pacific Ocean south of Squamish with the town of D'Arcy and Anderson Lake.  The goal is to have the bridge section completed by the spring of 2016. The Friendship Trail and Bridge is a joint initiative of the Village of Pemberton, the SLRD and the Lil'wat Nation.

"We all share responsibility for building healthy communities," says Susie Gimse, Director of SLRD Area C. "We are sincerely grateful to Innergex for its generous donation to the Friendship Trail Bridge, which promises to be an important legacy for the entire Pemberton Valley."

In addition to Innergex's contribution, the bridge received grant funding in the amount of $369,000 from the Regionally Significant Federal Gas Tax Fund ($184,500 each allocated on behalf of the SLRD and the Village).  The Village, the SLRD and the Lil'wat Nation will be working together to fundraise and source the remaining funds and materials for the completion of the project.

"It's exciting to see progress on this important community amenity.  We are looking forward to working collaboratively with our local partners to realize the fruition of this longstanding project," says Village of Pemberton's Acting Mayor, Mike Richman. "Innergex's contribution and expertise at the table will bring incredible efficiencies in both time and cost savings for the project. For this, we are extremely grateful."

About Innergex Renewable Energy Inc. | www.innergex.com

Innergex Renewable Energy Inc. is a leading Canadian independent renewable power producer. Active since 1990, the Company develops, owns and operates run-of-river hydroelectric facilities, wind farms and solar photovoltaic farms in British Columbia, Quebec, Ontario and in Idaho, USA. Its portfolio of assets currently consists of 26 hydroelectric operating facilities, six wind farms, and one solar farm with a total net installed capacity of 687 MW. Its shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol "INE".

About the Village of Pemberton | www.pemberton.ca

Pemberton is one of the most desirable communities in BC and home to family farms, fresh outdoor adventures and stunning vistas. With over 2400 residents and just 30 km from Whistler, Pemberton prides itself on its creative and collaborative approach with the business community, local volunteer groups, neighbouring communities and key business and tourism partners such as Tourism Pemberton and the Pemberton & District Chamber of Commerce. Pemberton's mild winters, warm summers and unique pioneer heritage provide an ideal place to enjoy arts, culture, history, recreation, dining, shopping and comfortable lodging.

About the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District | www.slrd.bc.ca

Located in southwestern BC, the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District (SLRD) is a local government federation consisting of four member municipalities (District of Lillooet, District of Squamish, Village of Pemberton and Resort Municipality of Whistler) and four unincorporated, rural electoral areas (A, B, C, and D). Headquartered in Pemberton, which is the approximate geographic center of the region, the SLRD delivers a wide range of local, regional and sub-regional services to approximately 38,000 residents.

About Lil'wat Nation/Mount Currie Band | www.lilwat.ca

The Lil'wat Nation, formerly the Mount Currie Band, is a progressive First Nations community 7 km north of Pemberton, B.C. With a membership of more than 2000 people, the Lil'wat Nation is the third largest First Nation in BC. The Nation is striving towards self-determination for, and by, Lil'wat, over its traditional land and resources. Focusing on economic development and land and resource management, the Lil'wat Nation is working to create a sustainable community by exploring opportunities in retail, forestry, IT and construction.

The Nation's government, headed by elected Chief Lucinda Phillips and a 12-person council, is committed to transparency and employs best practices in all aspects of governance. 

SOURCE: Innergex Renewable Energy Inc.

Liz Scroggins, Community Liaison, Innergex Renewable Energy Inc., Telephone: [phone] Email: [email protected]; Jill Brooksbank, Communications Coordinator, Village of Pemberton, Telephone: [phone] ext. 230, Email: [email protected]; Jeannette Nadon, Communications Coordinator, Squamish-Lillooet Regional District, Telephone: [phone] ext. 239, Email: [email protected]; Curt Walker, Administrator, Lil'wat Nation, Telephone: [phone], Email: [email protected]