More details unveiled towards new ILWU Hall in downtown Prince Rupert

A look at the ILWU Hall site from Friday following the
official groundbreaking, more details on the build were released today

The next big construction project in the downtown core is destined to bring a bit of revitalization for the lot at First Avenue West and Eighth Street adjacent the Highliner Inn, with a project which will soon see work underway on a New ILWU Hall in the city.

As we noted last week, the Ground breaking took place on Friday for the new facility and today some additional background towards the build was released.

Located on the footprint of the now demolished structure, the new ILWU Hall will house a state-of-the art approximately 10,000 square foot three-story building. Representing one of the largest new commercial developments in Prince Rupert's downtown core in many decades, 

The new Hall supports the Prince Rupert 2030 Vision to revitalize the City's downtown by creating a balanced and vibrant centre for job growth. 

The redevelopment project is being led and funded by the ILWU Local 505, with the contributing partners, the BCMEA, PRPA and DP World Prince Rupert providing $2.6M in support. 

These investments directly support the continuation and expansion of the well-paying, family supporting jobs that are facilitated out of the Union Hall operations. 

 The need for a new facility comes with the former building long showing its age and with a growing workforce and membership for the ILWU. 

In their information release today it was noted that between 2012 and 2022, the waterfront workforce in Prince Rupert has experienced immense job growth, from 341 to 1017 workers, alongside an increase of 155% in total hours worked. 

Factors that the Union noted as part of the project announcement. 

 "ILWU Local 505 is excited to invest in a state-of-the art building that represents the strong local labour force that is committed to the community and the continuous success of our Port".

 DP World Canada CEO and GM Maksim Mihic, observed how the new facilty will meet the needs of the growing membership 

 "This investment reflects DP World's commitment to supporting the local community and ILWU 505, by providing a dispatch hall of the calibre our workforce deserves. It also demonstrates our alignment to the future growth of the Port of Prince Rupert as trans-Pacific trade continues to expand." 

Photos from Friday's ILWU Hall announcement
(courtesy of PRPA)

Construction of the new Hall isn't far off,  the work set to begin within the next few months.

It's anticipated that the facility wil be in operation sometime in 2025.

More background on the project has been shared by the BC Maritime Employers Association

The Prince Rupert Port Authority also has shared some notes on Friday's announcement.

More notes on Port themes can be reviewed here, while items of interest on the Labour scene can be explored here.