The Tim Hortons Children’s Foundation wants to invest about $15 million into a summer camp on the shores of Pine Lake.
Bill Brooks presented the idea at last Thursday’s Chamber of Commerce monthly luncheon, and explained the goals of the foundation and potential timeline for establishing the camp, which would be the organization’s first site in British Columbia.
The camp allows children from financially challenged homes to go to summer camp, he explained, after showing a short video filled with kids’ testimonials.
The camp would occupy the former Boulder Bay Correctional Camp for youth, located on Pine Lake, north of the Zajac Ranch for Children along Florence Lake Forestry Road. Given its location, programs and activities would “highlight the natural environment,” said Brooks.
The 150-acre camp would feature environmentally responsible design, be a year-round facility, and would accommodate approximately 200 campers and staff at a time.
Brooks reports “great” support from the District of Mission and the provincial governments, as well as First Nations groups.
Upgrading the road is a concern, but Brooks said the province is working with THCF to come to an agreement.
A land survey and archeological assessment have already been completed, and a boundary amendment — which would bring the site under control of the District of Mission as opposed to the Fraser Valley Regional District — is in progress.
