Chip and Summer Wilson are donating $1.2 million to the Loon Foundation for the development of the Pender Harbour Ocean Discovery Station (PODS) project through the family’s charitable foundation.
“It pays for everything that we need to do to get to the final construction drawings, which means that we can then more accurately figure out how much the whole building is going to cost,” said Loon Foundation executive director, Michael Jackson. “It just brings us to a point where we're ready to apply for a building permit and to break ground. So it's a pretty amazing contribution.”
“We're very, very thankful to Chip and Summer and it's basically all we need to get PODS off the ground,” said Jackson.
“It’s our hope that this gift will inspire others to support the Sunshine Coast community and BC’s ongoing efforts to protect its incredible natural beauty,” said the Wilsons in a press release. “This pledge supports our family’s charitable focus and desire to make an impact for generations to come.”
This isn’t the Wilsons' first significant contribution to the project through their philanthropic Wilson 5 Foundation. In 2020, the Wilsons pledged $8 million to the project contingent on the Loon Foundation (then the Ruby Lake Lagoon Society) securing the remaining money needed to move ahead with the project, at that time estimated at $17 million. A further $400,000 was donated outright.
Jackson said that COVID-19 affected the organization and slowed them down. “But now, we feel like the momentum is back there. And we're looking forward to moving ahead. And it's just a very exciting time.”
“There's a lot of talk right now about marine protected areas, about biodiversity, all the different things going on around the world. And it's just the right timing, I think now, to launch PODS and to get going with the real work, which is all about protecting the oceans.”
PODS aims to open in 2025, the press release said.
Chip Wilson, the founder of athletic apparel company Lululemon and listed as Canada’s eighth richest person, is pledging the funding through his family’s Wilson 5 Foundation. Wilson owns property on the Sunshine Coast.
– with files from Sophie Woodrooffe
