Eleven different communities on Vancouver Island and the Sunshine Coast are getting a boost to help build important tourism projects.
The province is giving out close to $9 Million through the Tourism Dependent Communities Initiative, and the approved projects must be completed by March 2023.
“This direct investment in tourism-dependent communities was a call to action from the tourism sector and an integral part of our recovery plan,” said Melanie Mark, Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport.
“These projects will provide good-paying jobs now, create valuable assets for communities and attract more visitors in the future.”
Some of the communities and projects included In the Vancouver, Coast and Mountains Region are:
Gibsons
- Active transportation network upgrades, including parking, signage, bike racks, electric bike charging stations ($675,000)
Powell River
- Willingdon Beach campsite upgrades including washroom and showers building with laundry ($673,000)
- Alberni cycling infrastructure multi-use pathway connecting the community to Willingdon Beach ($242,402)
Sechelt
- Sani-dump installation near downtown and an information kiosk ($126,519)
- Hackett Park improvements ($300,000)
- Trail Bay sea walk improvements, including washroom, mobile vendors pads and public amenities ($382,500)
In total, $4,655,171 is being distributed for projects in the Vancouver, Coast and Mountains Region.
The communities and projects included on Vancouver Island include:
Ladysmith
- Paved food truck pad and accessible walkway at waterfront park ($96,360)
- Community park shelters ($170,000)
- Transfer Beach accessible washroom construction ($408,000)
- Community park amenities including picnic tables, bike racks and bike service station ($27,192)
North Cowichan
- Mt. Tzouhalem access point development including parking stalls, accessible washroom, signage ($173,764)
- Kinsmen Beach accessible washroom construction ($312,500)
- Mount Prevost mountain bike trail upgrades with signs ($97,912)
- Waterwheel Park lighting and wayfinding signs ($100,000)
Parksville
- Community park playground resurfacing and expansion ($315,000)
Port Alice
- Sea kayak touring facilities for launching from Port Alice, with picnic facilities on nearby islands ($335,000)
Port Hardy
- Carrot/Rotary Park washrooms construction ($348,500)
Tofino
- Sustainable transportation upgrades to multi-use path with transit stop, bicycle parking and on-street parking spaces ($800,000)
Ucluelet
- Village green revitalization with public seating, expanded green space and a new playground ($700,000)
Qualicum Beach
- Waterfront expansion with parking, mobile vendors amenities, covered seating, washroom, and overnight recreational vehicle parking spaces ($700,000)
In total, $4,584,228 is being distributed for tourism-development projects on Vancouver Island.
To learn more about the StrongerBC initiative and how it might benefit your community, visit the Government of British Columbia website.
