The provincial government is making more funds available to tourism operators through the Community Economic Recovery Infrastructure Program’s (CERIP) Destination Development stream.
CERIP was announced in February 2021 as a way to help industries affected by the pandemic recover.
Now the province is releasing a second round of funding for tourism operators, totaling $21.3 million to be distributed around the province.
Tourism operators on Vancouver Island will receive $2,372,663 of that total.
This money will be split between 10 different projects on the Island.
READ MORE: New tourism initiatives underway on Vancouver Island to aid future economic recovery
The Cowichan Valley for the Kinsol Trestle Gateway Project will receive the highest amount of the Vancouver Island projects of $459,000 to construct a new parking area for the trailhead of the Kinsol trestle, picnic area and trail connector.
District of Sooke will receive the second highest amount for the Sooke Potholes Improvement at $353,449 to revitalize the Sooke Potholes parking Lot 1 adding additional capacity for social distancing and replacing two narrow staircases and to install two permanent accessible pit-style washrooms.
The other groups on Vancouver Island receiving funding are:
- Ladysmith Maritime Society: $319,375
- Stz’uminus First Nation: $253,400
- Nanoose Economic Development Master Limited Partnership: $242,496
- Yellowhouse Art Centre Society: $218,000
- Ucluelet Mountain Bike Association: $170,000
- Clayoquot Biosphere Trust Society: $149,654
- Echo Bay Developments Ltd: $109,785
- Sidney Business Improvement Area Society: $97,504
A full list of projects can be found on the provincial government’s website.
Laura Brougham
