Powell River Parks and Wilderness Society is receiving $24,000 from the provincial government to improve the infrastructure of the 180 km Sunshine Coast Trail with bear-proof caches and wayfinding signage.
In a media release, Powell River-Sunshine Coast MLA Nicholas Simons stated that new support from the government for tourism projects on the Sunshine Coast will attract visitors, boost local economies and help communities recover from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The Sunshine Coast is renowned as one of the greatest places to visit across BC,” stated Simons. “We’re working with communities to enhance those experiences, helping people stay safe and reduce wildlife conflicts on the Sunshine Coast Trail.”
The funding for this project is part of a $21.3 million investment from the BC government for shovel-ready destination development projects, the release stated. People on the Sunshine Coast 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, according to the release.
The destination development funding invests in implementation-ready tourism infrastructure and amenities projects that support the recovery and resilience of tourism by creating jobs and developing infrastructure that will attract visitors to BC communities in the near and long term, the release stated. 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.
Since the beginning of the pandemic, the government has worked closely with BC’s tourism sector and provided $228 million in support to ensure businesses and non-profit organizations can continue to draw visitors and benefit local communities for years to come, according to the release.
"We know tourism infrastructure is a priority for communities,” stated minister of tourism, arts, culture and sports Melanie Mark. “We are responding to this call to action from the sector that will further support its recovery efforts from the COVID-19 pandemic. Our investment in tourism creates good-paying jobs that directly support local economies now and will elevate our reputation as a world-class destination for the many visitors looking to return to BC for years to come."
