The province is investing almost $1.4 million to develop tourism infrastructure in North Cowichan and Ladysmith.
Almost $700,000 will be coming to North Cowichan, of which $312,000 will be used to build an accessible washroom at Kinsmen Park, almost $174,000 will go towards the development of the access point at Mount Tzouhalem, including parking stalls, an accessible washroom, and signage, $100,000 will be used for lighting and way-finding at Waterwheel Park, and almost $98,000 will go to upgrades at Mount Prevost’s mountain bike trails, including signage.
Another approximately $700,000 is targeted towards projects in Ladysmith, including more than $400,000 for an accessible washroom at Transfer Beach, $170,000 for shelters at Community Park, $96,000 for a paved food truck pad and accessible walkway at Waterfront Park, and $27,000 for amenities at Community Park, including picnic tables, bike racks and a bike-service station.
The funding is part of a $19.4 million investment recently announced by the province to support tourism-dependent communities.
Communities were identified as being tourism-dependent based on a combination of criteria, including the collection of the municipality and regional district tax; municipalities with a populations under 25,000 that are located outside of Metro Vancouver and the Capital Regional District; and have a higher percentage of accommodation sector wages in comparison to total employment wages.
Doug Routley, MLA for Nanaimo-North Cowichan, said he is glad that people in the riding will benefit from this funding, as it will not only support people working in tourism but also help grow the local economy into the future.
“Our communities rely on visitors, and the travel restrictions due to the pandemic have been hard on people,” said Routley.
“Making these investments in tourism infrastructure will create local jobs and provide new and more accessible facilities to ensure everyone can enjoy the beauty of our local parks when it is safe to do so.”