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Evergreen sneak peek benefits three Tri-City charities

The Tri-City News was invited to ride the Evergreen Extension Monday night

The contractors who built the Evergreen Extension from Burnaby to Coquitlam gave thanks this week to the communities that supported them.

On Monday, SNC-Lavalin — the company awarded the contract to design, construct and finance the rapid transit project — sponsored a sneak peek to showcase the mega-infrastructure project that's set to open at noon on Friday.

The special ride for business, political and civic VIPs also benefitted three charities servicing education, health and social services along the route: the Douglas College Foundation, the Eagle Ridge Hospital Foundation and the YMCA split $60,000 donated by the SNC-Lavalin consortium, EGRT Construction.

The 200 guests started their journey at Douglas College, where Darlene Hyde of the college foundation, Alison Johansen of the hospital foundation and Graydon Meneilly of the YMCA board spoke about the $1.43-billion line and how it will help their organizations. 

"This is a long time coming," added Kathy Denton, president and CEO of Douglas College, "but now it's finally here, right into the heart of Coquitlam and the doors of Douglas College."

Afterwards, the invitees boarded the SkyTrain cars at the Lafarge Lake-Douglas station and were led to the Inlet Station in Port Moody, where the hospital foundation gave a show; later, following a trip through the 2.2-km tunnel, YMCA staff and volunteers promoted their cause with activities at the Burquitlam station.

When it opens Dec. 2, the Evergreen Extension will travel up to 80 km/hr from Coquitlam City Centre to Lougheed Town Centre — about a 15-minute trip. It is expected to carry about 70,000 passengers a day and remove some 40,000 vehicles from the road daily by 2021, according to the provincial government.

jcleugh@tricitynews.com