The province will invest almost $3.5 million into Vancouver Island’s tourism industry, as part of its Community Economic Recovery Infrastructure Program’s (CERIP) destination development stream.
The funds will support infrastructure and amenities projects to help tourism recovery, according to the provincial government.
“Investing in community-based tourism infrastructure not only creates good-paying jobs, it also helps to rebuild this hard-hit industry and ensures B.C.’s reputation as a world-class travel destination remains strong,” said Melanie Mark, minister of tourism, arts, culture and sport.
The projects include $500,000 for construction of a new community arts centre on Hornby Island and a $485,662 expansion of an RV campground on the K’ómoks First Nation.
The Raptor Rescue Society Education Centre in Duncan will receive $387,350 to fund construction of an indoor greenhouse flying space, wildlife gardens, aviaries, washroom facilities, parking facilities and outdoor admissions area.
The funding is part of a $20 million stream for tourism projects across B.C., the province said. An additional $34.5 million was allocated for 95 tourism-related projects from other CERIP funding streams, totalling almost $55 million toward tourism development.
Fifty-four new tourism projects throughout B.C. are receiving funding under the (CERIP) destination development stream.
“Successful projects were chosen for their demonstrated tourism benefits to communities and British Columbians, along with new jobs, many of which will provide employment for apprentices, youth, new Canadians, women and First Nations,” reads a press release from the provincial government.
Eligible applicants included local governments, First Nations and non-profit organizations.
CERIP’s funding is distributed across five different streams managed by separate partner ministries: municipal affairs; tourism, arts, culture and sport; forests, lands, natural resource operators and rural development; and children and family development.
