Backgrounder: Southern Interior communities receive over $4.7 million to revitalize public spaces and enhance tourism experiences

Today, the Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan, Minister of Emergency Preparedness and Minister responsible for the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada (PacifiCan), announced over $4.7 million in PacifiCan funding for 30 projects in British Columbia’s Southern Interior. This includes almost $3 million for 11 projects through the Canada Community Revitalization Fund (CCRF) and over $1.7 million for 19 projects through the Tourism Relief Fund (TRF). These projects are expected to create over 110 jobs in the Southern Interior region.

The projects announced today include:

Canada Community Revitalization Fund

City of Kamloops
$750,000
Funding will help rehabilitate Tranquille Market Corridor infrastructure in Kamloops. These improvements will directly support Kamloops’ economic recovery by providing an enhanced space for tourists to enjoy new seating, planters, and brickwork.

City of Kimberley
$750,000   
Funding will help revitalize the 'Platzl,” a Bavarian-themed shopping district in Kimberley that serves as home to the city’s signature festivals and other community events. Project work includes additional parking, new lighting, bike racks, park benches and other infrastructure.

City of Salmon Arm 
$84,000
Funding will help retrofit and expand the Ross Street Plaza public washroom in Salmon Arm. This work will double the capacity of the current washroom and allow visitors to spend more time in this important outdoor community space in the downtown core.

Columbia Basin Trust
$525,000
Funding will help revitalize the historic red grain elevator in Creston. Repairing this landmark will allow it to continue as a local tourism destination.

Kamloops Food Policy Council
$265,712
Funding will support the creation of an urban agriculture parklet and community space at the Kamloops Food Hub. This work will contribute to the revitalization of the Tranquille Corridor (the main commercial street on Kamloops’ North Shore), attracting more visitors to businesses in the area.

Lake Windermere District Lions Club
$248,000
Funding will help create a Lake Windermere District Lions Campground in Invermere. This campground will include 50 campsites, two accessible washrooms, and shower blocks.

New Pathways to Gold Society
$12,825
Funding will restore the historic Cariboo Wagon Road from Clinton to Barkerville. Project work will include new interpretive materials, picnic tables, connector trails, and bike repair stations.

Slocan Valley Heritage Trail Society
$79,500
Funding will go towards resurfacing parts of the Slocan Valley Rail Trail in Winlaw. Project work will include adding new gravel, filling potholes, and resurfacing trail sections.

The Heffley Creek Community Recreation Association
$14,625
Funding will help revitalize Heffley Creek community hall in Kamloops. Project activities include upgrading the indoor library space, creating exterior murals for a local artist to paint, and installing picnic fixtures.

The Kamloops Wildlife Park Society     
$86,943    
Funding will go towards construction of an outdoor classroom at the BC Wildlife Park in Kamloops. This new classroom will accommodate visitors of all ages, who will have access to a curriculum focused on conservation, biodiversity, and sustainability.

The Salmon Arm Curling Club
$144,506
Funding will help replace the curling club roof in Salmon Arm. This project will help more people use the space, which includes a six-sheet curling club, restaurant, bar, and lounges.

Tourism Relief Fund

Canadian Sun & Mountains Travel Corporation
$99,999
Funding will go towards developing small self-drive group itineraries and tours in Nelson and rural British Columbia. Project work includes developing the product offering, designing trip itineraries and developing a website.

Castlegar & District Chamber of Commerce
$200,000
Funding will help enhance tourism offerings and the visitor centre in Castlegar. A new mass timber visitor centre will be constructed, giving the building an iconic indoor and outdoor space for visitors looking to access information about regional, provincial, and Canadian tourism activities.

Castlegar Parks and Trails Society
$8,000
Funding will help expand public recreational amenities for visitors in Castlegar. Project work will include building a parking lot and trailhead kiosk at the base of a new mountain bike trail network called Rialto Trails.

City of Kelowna
$57,500
Funding will help the city to identify new routes for the Kelowna International Airport through collecting data and developing a promotion plan.

Dragonfly Resorts Ltd.
$99,999
Funding will help develop facilities and Indigenous tourism offerings at the Siwash Lake Wilderness Resort near 70 Mile House. Work will include installing solar-powered pod-style accommodations, upgrading the washhouse, landscaping, and developing Indigenous guided adventure tours.

Echo Lake Resort
$99,999    
Funding will go towards upgrading and modernizing the lake amenities in Lumby. Project work includes increasing the resort’s watercraft fleet, installing floating docks, customizing fishing tours, and improving cabin facilities.

Kumsheen Raft Adventures Ltd.
$99,999
Funding will help expand resort infrastructure and public recreational services in Lytton. Project work will include expanding the cabin tent sites to include solar panels and mobile stroke units, renovating the basketball court, and adding additional signage to achieve environmentally sustainable business practices and promote attractions for visitors.

Maverick Mountainworks Inc.
$9,500
Funding will support purchasing and promoting jet board water activity to tourists near Sun Peaks. This is a new tourism offering for the region, which did not offer jet boarding previously.

Monte Lake Resort
$99,999        
Funding will support rebuilding the resort facilities to support business recovery in Monte Lake. The business was directly impacted by the White Rock Lake wildfire of 2021, which destroyed the existing recreation centre, lodge and 300 trees on the property.

River's Edge RV Park
$99,999
Funding will support developing yurt accommodations at a riverside campsite in Yahk. Project work includes purchasing, installing, and furnishing of four yurts, a guest kitchen, and new washroom.      

Selkirk Mountain Experience Ltd. 
$23,485
Funding will help upgrade the chalet accommodations to provide better services and comply with health protocols at the proponent’s location in the northern Selkirk Mountains.

SEM Resort Limited Partnership
$88,221     
Funding will help upgrade the infrastructure and furnishings at the St. Eugene Gold Resort Casino in the East Kootenays. Project work will include replacing the exterior tent panels and drapery, repairing the staircase, and constructing a pool fence.

Silver Star Resort Association
$200,000 
Funding will go towards developing a destination management plan to attract visitors to the Silver Star Resort and other businesses in Vernon. Project work will include engaging with community members, conducting research, creating marketing projects, and developing a long-term strategy.     

Thick as Thieves Entertainment Inc.
$99,999
Funding supports delivery of the AltITunes and Island Time music festivals in the Okanagan. AltITunes, located at Big White Ski Resort, showcases alternative, indie and dance music from across Canada. Island Time is a beach-themed event at Okanagan Lake.

Tourism Fernie Society
$36,232        
Funding will improve accessibility to winter tourism activities in Fernie. Project work includes purchasing snowmobiles and snow grooming equipment for trail systems and parking, improved signage and accessibility.

Tourism Kelowna Society, Downtown Kelowna Association   
$190,438
Funding supports delivering the Meet Me on Bernard annual summer activation in Kelowna. Project activities include incorporating new innovations (a mobile visitor centre, mobile-exclusive passes, other events and a large-scale “Love for Kelowna” art installation) into the annual event.

Wells Gray Chalets and Wilderness Adventures Ltd.
$72,500     
Funding will help to adapt chalets for hut-to-hut wilderness touring company in Clearwater. Project work will include renovating two chalets from dorm-style layout to individual rooms.     

White Grizzly Adventures Ltd.
$99,999     
Funding will go towards expanding skiing experiences in the Kootenays. Project work includes creating new backcountry ski tours, expanding equipment rentals, improving accommodation and mountain infrastructure, and upgrading the company’s website.    

Wiegele Holdings Ltd.      
$99,999     
Funding will support delivering health and infrastructure upgrades to improve the company’s heli-skiing business in Blue River.        

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• News Release: Southern Interior communities receive over $4.7 million to revitalize public spaces and enhance tourism experiences