The City of White Rock has announced that it has hired a senior project manager for its Community Hub project.
Darcy Dupont will be starting in the job on March 17, according to a media release issued by the city on Monday (March 3).
A majority of White Rock council decided – in a sharply divided vote Jan. 29 – to pursue plans for a multiple-use building in the uptown area.
The specific site under study is 1510 Johnston Rd. (next to the Oceana PARC Playhouse); formerly an Imperial Oil gas station and latterly an unpaved public parking lot.
It was originally expropriated by the city in 2018 to create a "town square" park.
In a report presented to council Jan. 27, chief administrative officer Guillermo Ferrero said the proposed hub building – which would need to cover 80 per cent of the site, according to economic studies conducted by consultants Urban Systems in identifying community hub options – could be 12 storeys or, depending on other facilities the city may wish to include, as high as 25 storeys.
The development, which would combine civic uses with floors of residential space, is currently priced at $42.88 million, which will be financed out of city reserves and selling off city property in the current block, fronting on Buena Vista Avenue, which includes the aging and cramped city hall, the annex, a daycare operation and White Rock Library.
The development is described in the release as "a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to create a legacy facility that will serve as the heart of White Rock for generations. The development would include a new theatre/council chamber, public library, market housing, child care, youth resources, administrative offices and more."
“This initiative represents a unique opportunity to create a lasting impact, ensuring that the Community Hub becomes a space that reflects the needs and aspirations of the people who call White Rock home,” Dupont commented.
In a more than 20-year career, the release states, Dupont has led economic and infrastructure initiatives, including cultural centres, affordable housing, and economic development programs.
The media release notes that, during that time, Dupont has secured over $20 million in funding for various community projects.
"His expertise in navigating governance structures and building strong partnerships with municipalities, Indigenous communities, and government agencies has made him a respected leader in the field," it states.
“(Dupont's) ability to foster partnerships and secure critical funding will be instrumental in bringing this vision to life and ensuring the Community Hub serves as a vibrant and inclusive space for all residents,” Ferrero said.
