Watson Island Finalist for Brownfield Redevelopment Award

We’ve done our best to make lemonade from the lemon that was Watson Island – and it’s getting noticed.



We’re humbled to share that Watson Island has been announced as a finalist for a National “Brownie” brownfield redevelopment award. As a finalist among many competitive projects across Canada, including those in major cities like Montreal and Toronto, we are honoured to be included. The accomplishment of being selected as a finalist alone is something we feel that citizens can be proud of.



The dismantlement of the abandoned pulp mill and attraction of new tenants for the Island was no small undertaking. It took a supportive Council, dedicated staff to see it through, and the expertise of many, including our local partners at McElhanney, to accomplish. To reduce the up front financial burden of remediation on the City and its taxpayers, the site is being redeveloped and remediated through an innovative proponent driven process with the Provincial Ministry of Environment. Thanks to a resourceful attitude – the City was also able to repurpose the pulping chemicals back into the pulp industry elsewhere in BC, and recycle the vast majority of metals – leading to an over 90% recycle rate for materials that were left on site. As other municipalities across Canada find themselves similarly burdened with abandoned industrial lands, we are frequently contacted to share about our experience and provide guidance. The Watson Island project has also now been turned into a case study for the Provincial Ministry of Environment and Climate Change in how to successfully manage and remediate a large industrial brownfield. With the site now attracting potential interest from a host of industries including renewable energy – Prince Rupert is witnessing a new beginning for the Watson Island site.



Wish us luck at the awards ceremony next week! With any luck, we’ll be able to say “cheers” with a glass of lemonade to a potential big win for our community.