August 06, 2009
Courtenay, British Columbia
John Duncan, Member of Parliament for Vancouver Island North, on behalf of the Honourable Lynne Yelich, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification, announced Government of Canada support to help two organizations, the Vancouver Island Mountain Sports Society and the Strathcona Wilderness Institute Society, strengthen economic opportunities in the Courtenay area.
"Our Government, through the Economic Action Plan, is providing timely, targeted stimulus to western Canadian communities, helping reduce the impacts of the global recession," said MP Duncan. "These projects will help maintain local employment, create jobs and build a stronger foundation for the future."
Federal funding of $826,375 is being provided by Western Economic Diversification Canada under the Economic Action Plan.
"Our vision is to create a fully accessible facility in the high alpine used by athletes, teams, community groups and individuals," said Rick Morson, Chair, Vancouver Island Mountain Sports Society. "The Mountain Centre will serve as a central training hub used by sport groups, residents and visitors and will also serve as a staging facility for camps, outdoor education trips, courses and retreats. This project will be a unique asset and true legacy project for future generations. "
The Vancouver Island Mountain Sports Society will receive $795,000 from the Community Adjustment Fund (CAF) to create the Vancouver Island Mountain Sports Centre at Mount Washington Alpine Resort, located north of Courtenay. The new fully adapted community facility will serve to provide groups, disabled individuals, seniors and youth with improved access to affordable wilderness and outdoor activities. Project activities include facility design, site preparation and construction and interior finishing.
This project will be a key resource for the local sport tourism economy by strengthening the region's ability to attract and host sporting events from the international community.
"The community support for this project has been extensive and with this new federal funding we can finally fulfill our dream of finishing the Strathcona Park Wilderness Centre," said Steve Smith, President of the Strathcona Wilderness Institute Society.
"The Centre will be a gateway into Strathcona Park's pristine wilderness and a place to gather information before and after venturing into the park. It will help attract residents of the Comox Valley and visitors to Strathcona Park and the great recreational opportunities it offers, regardless of age and physical abilities."
The Recreational Infrastructure Canada (RInC) program will provide $31,375 to the Strathcona Wilderness Institute Society for completion of construction to the Strathcona Park Wilderness Centre. This project includes enclosing the basement of a building shell, building wheelchair ramps, a disabled access washroom, a storage room and a classroom. Strathcona Provincial Park was designated in 1911 and is the oldest provincial park in British Columbia. Located near the geographic centre of Vancouver Island, Strathcona Park is a rugged mountain wilderness comprising more than 250,000 hectares and attracting visitors from across the province
The Community Adjustment Fund is a two-year, $1-billion investment in local economies throughout Canada to create jobs and maintain employment in our communities.
The Recreational Infrastructure Canada program will invest $500 million in recreational facilities across Canada over a two-year period. It will provide a temporary economic stimulus that will help reduce the impacts of the global recession while renewing, upgrading and expanding recreational infrastructure in Canadian communities.
For more information, please visit the Community Adjustment Fund (CAF) in the West, Recreational Infrastructure Canada (RInC) program in the West or Canada's Economic Action Plan.
For additional information, contact:
Donna Howes
Manager, Communications
Western Economic Diversification Canada
Telephone: 604-666-1318
Cell: 604-505-6616
Steve Smith, President
Strathcona Wilderness Institute Society
Telephone: 250-337-8220
Don Sharpe
Vancouver Island Mountain Sports Society
Telephone: 250-792-0005
WD Toll-Free Number:1 888 338-WEST (9378)
Teletypewriter (TTY): 1 877 303-3388
Website: WD is online at www.wd-deo.gc.ca.
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