Gibsons Public Market Team Announces They Have Raised $178,000 in Donations Towards the Purchase of the Market Property

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Gibsons, BC (PRWEB) November 13, 2013

The Gibsons Public Market Team announced today that, as of October 31st, over $178,000 in donations has been raised from more than 60 families in the Gibsons and surrounding communities. Donations have ranged from $25,000 for a ‘life’ Founder to groups of people who have each donated $250 towards together becoming a $5000 ‘bronze’ Founder. These funds are to be donated to the Town of Gibsons and go towards the Town owning an equity interest in the Gibsons Public Market building – i.e. the old Yacht Club building in Gibsons Landing. At a meeting on September 10th, the Gibsons Town Council agreed that a target of $250,000 was required to support the Town’s objective of becoming the largest equity owner of the property. This outpouring of community financial support now makes that requirement likely attainablebefore mid-December when the proponents need to remove final subjects on the real estate.

“I am very pleased with the response we have seen to the idea of establishing a public market in Gibsons,” said Wayne Rowe, Mayor of Gibsons. “While we have not yet met our target, having achieved $175,000 at the end of October, we have proven the viability of the concept. To have amassed that level of contribution from the large number of families behind those commitments, in just over 6 weeks, the community has clearly told us they want a Public Market in Gibsons that serves the Sunshine Coast.”

“The level of engagement we have seen in the community is quite astounding,” says Brian Smith, Executive Director of Community Futures, one of the proponents of the market along with the Zipursky and Sonntag families in Gibsons. “Not only have these donors agreed to put their hard earned money forward through donations to the Town but everyone has expressed strong support for the establishment of a community ‘Hub’ at the Market. This has been an extraordinary community effort, one that is indicative of the level of support for the Market. People from up and down the coast want public spaces to gather, to celebrate and to enjoy local art, produce, food and entertainment. The Gibsons Public Market will be that space.”

Community Futures and the two Gibsons families, who have each committed to invest $100,000 towards the purchase of the property, spawned the Gibsons Public Market idea almost a year ago. Through a series of small ‘parlor’ meetings with Gibsons residents plus presentations to a number of community organizations, over 600 local residents and groups have had the opportunity to offer ideas on the Market, and in many cases became engaged by providing pro-bono professional skills, ‘sweat’ equity and materials to help make the Market a reality.

“We are now at a stage where people are asking how they can get more involved in the initiative. Not just in the provision of funds but also in working together with others in the community to create a place where individuals and families can meet for a diversity of activities from shopping to eating to enjoying local entertainment,” says Gerry Zipursky the team member who has taken the lead in formulating the overall program. “We have been encouraged and touched by the ground swell of support and donations to the Market fund raising program over these last few weeks. Along with the Town, we are very optimistic we will meet the target of $250,000 by the middle of December. This will then allow us to proceed with the purchase of the property and the establishment of a non-profit society that will develop and run the Gibsons Public Market. It is an exciting time for all of us.”

The Gibsons Public Market Team is accepting donations from $250 to $25,000 to cover the final $72,000 needed to meet the $250,000 goal set by the Town. The levels are ‘Life’ - $25,000; ‘Platinum’ - $20,000; ‘Gold’ - $15,000; ‘Silver’ - $10,000’ ‘Bronze’ - $5,000; and ‘Donor’ - $1000 to $250. Anyone who is interested in learning more about the Gibsons Public Market and/or contributing a donation should contact either:

Gerry at 604 886 6664/email gzipursky(at)gmail(dot)com or
Nick at 604 886 2199/email nicholas(at)sonntag(dot)gmail.com.

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