GIBSONS, BC, Nov. 9, 2015 /CNW/ - The Gibsons Public Market is grateful to receive a $100,000 donation from CIBC toward the construction of a year-round hub of community amenities.

The gift from CIBC will go toward a community kitchen that is anticipated to be a major attraction of the new Public Market. "The kitchen is the centre of family life where lively conversation and learning happen, and food is one of the first things that comes to mind when we think about healthy life choices for ourselves and our families," said Pam Robertson, Chair of the Gibsons Public Market Capital Campaign. "The CIBC Community Kitchen will be an important public amenity of the hub and, through diverse programming, it will engage visitors of all ages in learning about menu planning and food preparation from the creative to the practical, and the economic to the nutritious."

"CIBC is proud to contribute to the development of Gibsons Public Market that will bring the community together in recreation, health and education," said Rod Fossen, District Vice-President, CIBC, Vancouver area. "We chose to focus our donation on the Community Kitchen because it supports one of our core values in raising healthy families and communities, which includes promoting healthy food choices and seeing the kitchen as a place where family comes together."

Community kitchens are increasingly popular amenities in public markets across North America. The facilities host community skill-building programs that support food literacy and promote public health through safe food handling and preserving methods and the preparation of nutritious, budget-conscious family meals.

The Gibsons Public Market project is now at a vital stage with a capital campaign to close a gap of $400,000 by year end in order to qualify for matching funds from the Island Coastal Economic Trust Fund that will enable construction to begin in early 2016.

The Public Market will be a new gathering place that, in addition to the CIBC Community Kitchen, will host a year-round farmers' market, marine education centre, café, food producers, entertainment, public amenities and meeting spaces.

Gibsons Community Building Society

The Gibsons Community Building Society (GCBS) is building a vibrant year-round Gibsons Public Market—and community hub and learning destination that will foster sustainability for the Town of Gibsons, neighbouring islands and Sunshine Coast residents and visitors of all ages. The facility will feature a marine education centre, a public market, a community kitchen, a rentable commercial kitchen for new incubator businesses, and a café. Additionally, more than 70% of the 13,500 square foot building will be dedicated to community amenities. The GCBS has mobilized hundreds of volunteers with an outstanding Board of Directors and Governors and continues to attract financial, material and in-kind donations to build the Public Market. Project partners are Community Futures, Sunshine Coast Community Foundation, and the Town of Gibsons.

High-resolution images and event photos are available upon request.

SOURCE Gibsons Public Market