Telus and its CEO were officially honoured for their support of the Gibsons Public Market and its aquarium at a major fundraiser on Saturday.
“In appreciation to the Telus team for your faith in our vision, for your steadfast commitment to contribute funds, to contribute technology, but beyond that, its expertise, its endorsements and frankly its encouragement that has been so special for us,” said Pam Robertson, president of the Gibsons Community Building Society, the organization behind the market and the Nicholas Sonntag Marine Education Centre.
She presented the 2019 Gala Tribute Award to Telus CEO Darren Entwistle in front of more than 220 attendees, including local politicians, federal MP Pamela Goldsmith-Jones and Skwxwú7mesh councillor Deborah Baker.
“It is rare for a CEO from a major corporation like Telus to identify closely with a community project like Gibsons Public Market,” Robertson said. “There are not enough words, ever, for us to thank you for the difference you are making in our community.”
Entwistle is the honorary chair of the society’s board of governors. His connection to the public market was initiated through an email from Nicholas Sonntag – one of the market’s cofounders, who died in 2015.
After receiving the award, Entwistle told Coast Reporter the email request “came in from left field.”
“The vision that Nic had for what the market could be was immediately intriguing to me.”
Entwistle was attracted to the education component of the market and its focus on biodiversity and youth through its education centre. “It’s intoxicating,” he said, adding that supporting such an initiative also aligns with the telecommunications company’s brand.
During her speech Robertson also announced a Telus 2020 Placemaking Bursary for non-profit organizations, valued at up to $20,000. The bursary would be used to subsidize organizations using the market as a venue.
The building society isn’t the only organization on Entwistle’s radar. He told Coast Reporter the Pender Ocean Discovery Station (PODS), a marine research, entertainment and tourism destination planned for Pender Harbour, could also receive support from the corporation.
While the nature of that relationship hasn’t been formalized, he told Coast Reporter: “We’re engaged; we’ll provide resources, value in-kind and financial support.”
He added: “What started here at the Nicholas Sonntag Marine Education Centre, now the next step is Pender Harbour. The continuity of that momentum is pretty amazing."
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