Seapan and Southern Railway of British Columbia are the latest inductees into the Fraser River Hall of Fame.
The Fraser River Discovery Centre Society will induct Seaspan and SRY at its hall of fame gala dinner and induction on Thursday, April 20 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. It’s taking place at the Fraser River Discovery Centre.
“Given their long and successful business history on and around the Fraser River, Seaspan and SRY are definitely deserving of a place within the Fraser River Hall of Fame,” said Mark Rizzo, chair of FRDC’s board of directors. “Both individually and as members of the Washington Companies, they have been a significant part of the ‘economic engine’ of the mighty Fraser, creating benefits for workers, communities and all those in the Lower Mainland. Just as important, they have done so in a sustainable way, to ensure that the living, working Fraser will continue to be there for generations to come.”
Seaspan and Southern Railway are both members of the Washington Group of Companies.
“Seaspan is an important part of the Pacific Northwest marine industry with three shipyards in B.C, a commercial ferry service and a marine transportation business that provides ship assist, coastal transportation and fuel bunkering services,” said a FRDC press release. “SRY is based in New Westminster and provides businesses and customers located in the Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley with seamless rail connections to markets throughout North America.”
Derek Ollmann, president of Seaspan Marine Transportation, said Seaspan and SRY teams are thrilled to be this year’s inductees into the Fraser River Hall of Fame.
“The Washington Companies are proud to support the centre and the work they do to ensure the Fraser River is a living, working and thriving place that can continue to be a vital economic engine for British Columbia and a Place of Learning about the Indigenous heritage and teachings of the river,” he said.
The Fraser River Discovery Centre Society established the Fraser River Hall of Fame in 1991 to recognize and honour individuals or organizations that have made significant and noteworthy contributions to the health and sustainability of the Fraser River, its culture, people, industry and environment.
Past inductees have included First Nations leader Wendy Grant (1996), founding FRDC patron Lucille Johnstone (2000), Fraser River Pile and Dredge (2006), Fraser Surrey Docks (2012), BC and World Rivers Day Founder Mark Angelo (2014) and the City of New Westminster (2017). Fin Donnelly, an advocate for the Fraser River, a MLA and a former MP (including serving as New Westminster-Coquitlam MP from 2009 to 2015) was inducted in 2021.
Tickets to this year’s gala are $135 each, with a limited number of “early bird” tickets available for $120.
“The annual Fraser River Hall of Fame gala dinner and Induction has become an anticipated event by the river community and a social highlight of the year,” Rizzo said. “We invite friends of Seaspan and SRY– as well as those who support the Fraser River – to join us in celebration on April 20 at the Fraser River Discovery Centre.”
Tickets for the gala can be purchased at https://trellis.org/fraser-river-hall-of-fame. More information about the hall of fame and Fraser River Discovery Centre can be found at www.fraserriverdiscovery.org.
Located at 788 Quayside Dr., Fraser River Discovery Centre is a museum featuring a variety of hands-on educational exhibits about the Fraser River and its history. The centre also offers a range of in-person and online programs related to the Fraser River.
