TDIA Newsletter - Winter 2023

2023 is looking to be an exciting year ahead and we're grateful to the the merchants, property and business owners that make our downtown core so vibrant and vital.

Our public art program has had some great momentum this winter with the installation of the Snowboarder sculpture installed on Sparks St. and Hwy 16 by the Shames Mountain downtown office. We've received some great feedback from folks in the community who love the new addition anchoring the Millenium Trail with the downtown core.

We are looking forward to seeing more public art initiatives this summer including a new wooden sculpture created by Nakkita Trimble to be installed this spring and we are continuing the hanging basket program.

 We are continuing to move along with the pre-work for the downtown revitalization project starting with the 4600 Block of Lakelse Ave. with Urban Systems, an interdisciplinary community design firm. We'll be engaging with members as Urban Systems works toward developing a detailed design plan. The City of Terrace has committed $500,000 toward the canopy removal project for this year, so we are happy to see this commitment moving forward.

We also gave our web site a facelift and made finding information about our projects, beautification efforts and public art initiatives easier to find. Take a look around and learn more about the TDIA. We also included links to sign up for our quarterly newsletter, so you can keep informed about our initiatives downtown. You can find us on Facebook or you can reach out any time at terracetdia@gmail.com.

Snowboarder sculpture installed

If you’ve driven through the intersection at Hwy 16 and Sparks St., you’ve likely seen the newest public art piece to be installed in Terrace. Local wood carver Rod Brown, of Cohowood Studio, is the artist behind the nearly six-foot-tall wooden carving featuring a snowboarder carving a turn. The sculpture, made primarily from locally sourced spruce, is appropriately placed at the Millenium Trail right across from the Shames Mountain downtown office.

“I remember my first run at Shames like it was yesterday. I didn't make many turns like the sculpture that day. It was more a series of face-planting and floundering in waist deep powder with a huge grin, as I made my way down the mountain. I love taking my family up there now and this piece is a nod to the hardworking folks that keep the wheels on Shames,” says Rod Brown.

The sculpture was funded through the TDIA and in collaboration City of Terrace Public Art Committee.

“We just love this piece,” says Liz Smaha, the executive director for Kermodei Tourism and who also sits on the board of TDIA and the Public Art Committee. “This sculpture captures the excitement of snowboarding and is a reflection of the incredible outdoor recreation opportunities that continue to draw people to Terrace and why so many people live here.”

Welcome to new board member

We are pleased to welcome Joseph Lavoie to the board of directors of the Terrace Downtown Improvement Area Society. Joe is a co-owner of Copperside Foods and we're so happy to have him join the board.

We'd also like to welcome back Councillor Dave Gordon as our City of Terrace council liaison. Have questions for our board or want to attend a future board meeting? Reach out to terracetdia@gmail.com

Light up downtown initiative expanded

This winter the TDIA was pleased to expand an initiative to light up downtown. Using a small portion of our holiday lights budget, our volunteers got out to put up white Christmas lights along the 4600 block of downtown. This year, we expanded the initiative to include the 4600 block of Lazelle Ave. and George Little Park.

Our organization also partnered with downtown property owner, Michael Hogg, to install white lights along the Lazelle Ave. plaza too. “We really wanted to spread the lights around and make the downtown core feel a bit more safe through lighting, and festive over the holiday season,” says TDIA board member and downtown property owner, Polly Rudderham.

“The feedback was great and we hope to continue this initiative in the winter of 2023-24.” Big thanks to Liz Smaha of Tourism Terrace, City Councillor Dave Gordon and Polly for doing the lion’s share of the work in installing the lights. Thanks also to Westpoint Rentals for supplying the lift.

Marketing grant working for members

Leading up to the Christmas shopping season we were happy to see some downtown businesses band together to apply for the TDIA Marketing Grant. This grant stream provided up to $1500 in matching funds when a group of three or more businesses come together to hold an event that drives business downtown. In this instance the folks at Luna Salon, All Star Shoes, Misty River Books, Little Gumnut and Unbound Sport and Apparel joined forces for a day of fun shopping activities. It was great seeing people going from shop to shop, entering draw prizes, eating treats and shopping downtown. We are revamping our grant streams for 2023, so stay tuned for more information to come.

New businesses opening and downtown businesses on the move

Congratulations to the following businesses who have moved to new downtown locations recently:

Skeena Trading Company -  Terrace's latest new Asian grocery store located at #104, 3302 Kalum St. next to Kept Barbershop

Uppal Appliances - Second location now open in the Skeena Mall

Northcoast Apparel - Apparel designed by John Wilson, Haisla located at 4641 Lazelle Ave.

Do you own a new business in downtown Terrace or has your business recently relocated to a new location? Send us a message at terracetdia@gmail.com or connect with us on Facebook.

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