The approximately $2.1-million expansion project at the Shawnigan Lake Museum has received a $500,000 boost with a grant from the province’s Destination Development Fund.
The funding for the museum’s expansion project is one of 31 infrastructure tourism projects across the province that the Destination Development Fund is investing a total of $15 million in 2023-24 in one-time grants.
Projects were chosen for their contribution to communities, benefits to the tourism economy, and support for sustainability and accessibility.
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Lori Treloar, executive director of Shawnigan Lake Historical Society, said the Shawnigan Lake Museum has been around for almost 50 years, and since then, both its stories and collections have grown.
“This grant offers us the opportunity to truly showcase local and beloved artist E.J. Hughes, the Kinsol Trestle and other important histories in new exhibits, and increase museum amenities so that we can share our amazing history with more visitors, bringing increased economic benefits to Shawnigan Village,” she said.
Shovels hit the ground on June 3 to begin the expansion, called Project Impact, that will triple the size of the Shawnigan Lake museum from 2,100 sq. ft. to more than 6,000 sq. ft.
The society has been quite successful in its fundraising efforts that began in 2016, coming close to its financial goals with grants from Canada, the province, the Cowichan District Regional District and private donors.
The project is intended to position the museum as the cultural hub of the community and grow tourism potential in the area; and it will provide space to invite the community and visitors in for events and workshops led by the storytellers of the community.
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“British Columbia is a world-class destination and tourism is one of the province’s greatest economic drivers,” said Lana Popham, minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport, on the funding from the DDF.
“The past three years have been incredibly challenging for people in the tourism industry, especially after years of economic uncertainty and extreme weather events like the recent wildfires. Investing in tourism infrastructure supports the tourism sector, the people who work in it, and is helping to create vibrant communities for all British Columbians and visitors.”
The DDF’s total contribution to Vancouver Island in its latest round of funding is more than $3.3 million in eight projects, including almost $1 million for upgrades at the Cluxewe Resort and Campground located near Port McNeill, and more than $600,000 for upgrades and repairs at the Port Alice municipal marina.