Provincial rural dividend funds have been allocated to City of Powell River for an airport master plan and to Tla’amin Nation for upgrading its trails system.
“These are great projects that will help us draw more visitors to the Sunshine Coast by funding improvements to local trail systems, as well as strengthening the region’s economic viability,” said Powell River-Sunshine Coast MLA Nicholas Simons, after the announcement on March 29.
City of Powell River and BC Rural Dividend Fund are jointly investing $80,000 in Powell River through the development of an airport master plan.
“A master plan for the airport is the right step forward,” said City of Powell River airport coordinator Denis Dilworth in a media release. “This plan will set out how best to operate and grow the airport for the economic benefit to the city while ensuring that the people of the Powell River region stay connected to the rest of Canada and the world.”
The BC Rural Dividend Program approved funding of $64,000 for the project. City of Powell River will provide $16,000 in matching funds.
“I congratulate the city on the success of their application and am pleased that the province continues to support local government initiatives,” said Simons.
The money will go toward contracting an aviation consulting firm to create a comprehensive plan to guide future infrastructure, facility and business programs for transportation.
“Once completed, this plan will show the full potential of our airport as an economic driver for the city, qathet Regional District and Tla’amin Nation,” said City of Powell River mayor Dave Formosa. “As an isolated coastal community, we’re connected to the world by ferry or air. We’ve been wanting to expand our airport for decades and with it, attract new aviation investment, business travellers, increased tourism and job creation.”
City of Powell River has owned and operated Powell River Airport since the 1950s. According to the city, the aging infrastructure requires upgrades, redevelopment and expansion in order to continue to provide a viable transportation facility.
Tla’amin Nation is being awarded $29,780 to upgrade the Tla’amin trails system by adding interpretive signage, a suspension bridge and a five-kilometre link to the Sunshine Coast Trail.
Tla’amin hegus Clint Williams said construction on the trail started close to two years ago. An important feature was that a crossing was needed over Sliammon Creek.
“We’re very happy that’s arrived and it will encourage people to explore our lands and to do physical activity,” said Williams. “We are really happy to hear about this. It’s great news.”
The trail has a terminus at the Sli City Grill on Highway 101 and heads up into the backcountry, up toward the water treatment plant, crosses down toward the river and comes down across the highway roughly across from Tla’amin Governance House.
“It gives people a loop,” said Williams. “We’re really excited this bridge will complete the loop so people can stroll around.”
