Skip to content

District applies to extend boundaries

Request comes as Tim Hortons proposes to set up a foundation camp up Burma Road

The District of Mission wants to expand its boundaries to include 60 acres on the south shore of Alouette Lake to accommodate a proposed Tim Hortons Children's Foundation camp.

The land is currently split between Mission and the Fraser Valley Regional District (FVRD). The access roads to the camp are within Mission, and working with one jurisdiction would make it easier for the foundation to apply for building permits, rezoning and other service requirements, such as emergency services. The change is supported by FVRD but has to be provincially approved.

The land is Crown owned, and was referred to as Boulder Bay and used as a youth correctional facility until 2002. Since then, Mission has been looking at subleasing opportunities.

Tim Hortons began inquiries in 2009. In a presentation to Mission council Monday night, Tim Hortons Children's Foundation's special projects manager, Bill Brooks, explained the foundation was founded in 1974 and is a registered charity in Canada and the US. There are six camps, five in Canada, one in the US, and none in B.C.

The proposed camp near Pine Lake would serve more B.C. children. The site is about 150 acres. Brooks says the vision is to build a facility that would involve First Nations, highlight the natural environment and use green technologies. He also noted it would employ five full-time staff members, 50 seasonal ones, and there would be other economic spinoffs for the construction industry.