Port Moody to receive grant for accessibility improvements to three civic facilities

The City of Port Moody has been selected, along with seven other B.C. municipalities, to participate in the Rick Hansen Foundation’s B.C. Accessibility Grants Program. 

“On behalf of Council and our community, I would like to thank the Rick Hansen Foundation and their funder, the Government of British Columbia, for creating the B.C. Grants Program and for giving Port Moody a chance to participate,” said Mayor Meghan Lahti. “We are committed to improving accessibility for Port Moody residents and visitors of all abilities. This is a unique opportunity to make meaningful improvements to three of our civic facilities and to advance Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in our community.” 

Developed to help municipalities and organizations ensure their sites and communities are accessible for people of all ages and abilities, the B.C. Accessibility Grants Program provides participating cities with Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Certification^TM (RHFAC) ratings for three existing sites, up to $82,500 in accessibility improvement funds to be allocated for upgrades to the three rated sites, and accessibility training for city staff. 

The eight participating municipalities were selected based on population and geographic representation. In Port Moody, the sites that have been assessed are the Civic Centre (City Hall, Inlet Theatre, Port Moody Public Library – 100 Newport Drive), the Port Moody Recreation Complex (300 Ioco Road), and the Arts Centre (PoMoArts – 2425 St. Johns Street). The City expects to receive the ratings report in late March 2023; the timeline for completion of any upgrades will be determined after the City has had a chance to review the recommended improvements and consider budget implications. 

To read the Rick Hansen Foundation’s March 9, 2023 press release announcing the program participants, please visit the RHF online media centre.