Oil painted mural (10′ X 28′) by Ron den Daas. Completed in 2018.
Hatchery Infrastructure Upgrades and Maintenance
We continue our ongoing facility infrastructure and maintenance upgrades as part of our hatchery and education facility operations.
Rearing Pond Upgrade (summer 2025) – to improve our ability to store a range of salmonid species we have secured financial support to install 3 metre (10ft) diameter circulation tanks. The two tanks will be installed in the former adult steelhead holding ponds, which have not been in use for approximately 10 years. The new circulation tanks are the same design as our existing outdoor tanks on-site.
Disabled Access Upgrades (2025 – ongoing) – to properly address disabled access into the main facility building, we secured financial support to upgrade our facility to align with the Rick Hansen Foundation program (RHFAC). The whole project seeks to upgrade elements of the facility to include:
• Install a power operated door to the main foyer entrance
• Change external door handles to lever style handles on the main building
• Upgrade interior bathroom to full accessible
• Create a designated drop off zone and accessible parking area, including signage
• Add wayfinding signage interior and exterior of building
• Add hearing loop in learning center
To date, we have secured funding to complete the following disabled access upgrades
Kitchen (2025) – The original kitchen was over 25 years old, was no longer fit-for purpose and did not provide disabled visitor use of the amenities. The upgrades sought to enable access to the sink, lower cupboards and upgrade the door handles for disabled access. The new kitchen is complete and provides disabled access facilities for our visitors.
Bathroom (2025) – The original bathroom was over 25 years old and had a raised floor from the main foyer, which prevents access for disabled visitors. The upgrades sought to make the bathroom floor level with the building foyer, along with layout changes and toilet/sink replacements for disabled use. The new bathroom is complete and provides disabled access facilities for our visitors.
Main Building Exterior Wall Re-Cladding (2024) – involved removing the lower one metre of the existing main building walls and cladding, replacing with new structural lumber and re use of metal siding to provide long term weather protection for the building
Septic Storage Tank Upgrade (2023) – we have completed installation of a new 10,000L septic storage tank for the facility, which has doubled our previous storage capacity. This upgrade not only reduce the number of septic tanker truck visits to the facility annually; it also enabled us to upgrade our bathroom facility for disabled access.
Hatchery Information Signage (2023) – we have been working towards a phased landscaping upgrade that create a more inviting and educational experience for our visitors. The final phase of the construction of the interpretive education signs explains why the hatchery and education centre is operating and demonstrates the significant conservation efforts that are being undertaken. As part of the main information kiosk, we also installed an aquarium that showcases summer steelhead and coho salmon.
We commissioned an experienced local artist Ron den Daas (http://www.rondendaas.com/) to design and print each new sign. A total of 10 new signs have been installed within the hatchery grounds.
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