A pair of Tri-City infrastructure projects are about to get underway — and now have a financial boost to finish them.
Belcarra's Sasamat Outdoor Centre and the City of Port Moody are receiving a combined $716,642 from B.C.'s tourism, arts, culture and sport ministry.
They are two of more than 50 projects deemed "shovel-ready" for construction by the provincial government.
The goal behind the funding — a pot of $21.3 million — is to help support local tourism, minister Melanie Mark explains, adding it's also part of B.C.'s post-COVID-19 pandemic economic recovery plan.
"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 B.C. for years to come."
The Association of Neighbourhood House of BC (ANHBC) operates the Sasamat Outdoor Centre (3302 Senkler Rd.) — located in təmtəmíxʷtən/Belcarra Regional Park on the shoreline of Sasamat Lake.
Thanks to its cut of $476,642, the organization is set to start its waterfront revitalization project, which includes several upgrades to make the facility more accessible for all visitors.
The ANHBC's plan is to replace its beachfront infrastructure to also improve environmental sustainability and program functionality, according to a provincial news release issued today (Feb. 4).
"The tourism industry was one of the sectors hit hardest by the pandemic," said Port Moody-Coquitlam MLA Rick Glumac in a separate statement.
"With this funding, the Sasamat Outdoor Centre will be able to replace infrastructure and improve accessibility so they can draw more visitors to our community for special events like weddings, retreats, and youth camps."
Meanwhile, Port Moody now has an extra $240,000 for a wayfinding signage project set to benefit tourists and visitors in exploring the City of the Arts.
Signs and kiosks are set to be installed across town .
The release did not state how many signs or where they would be placed.
Both projects are part of B.C.'s second round of the 2021 Community Economic Recovery Infrastructure Program’s (CERIP) Destination Development stream.
"Projects were chosen for their demonstrated tourism benefits to communities," the release explains, along with the creation of jobs for youth, students, apprentices, Indigenous Peoples, women and new Canadians.
The $21.3-million funding is also set to implement actions in response to recommendations by B.C.'s Task Force Recommendations.
