SilverStar is one of 30 recipients of tourism funding through the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada in the Interior (file photo by Liam Verster / Vernon Matters)

By Liam Verster

PacifiCan Investments

Federal funds boosting tourism, public spaces at SilverStar and throughout the Interior

Sep 29, 2023 | 1:15 PM

Several communities and organizations in the Southern Interior, including one in Vernon, are benefiting from a federal investment into public spaces.

Through the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada (PacifiCan), $4.7 million in funding will go to support 30 projects in B.C.’s Interior.

Included in that total is nearly $3 million for 11 projects through the Canada Community Revitalization Fund (CCRD) and over $1.7 million for 19 projects through the Tourism Relief Fund (TRF).

The sole Vernon-based investment is one being made into Silver Star Mountain Resort.

Through the TRF, SilverStar will receive $200,000 to develop a destination management plan to attract visitors to the mountain resort and the area as a whole. The work will include engaging with community members, conducting research, creating marketing projects and developing a long-term strategy.

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Other nearby communities are also included in the CCRF and TRF investments..

The City of Salmon Arm will receive $84,000 to retrofit and expand the Ross Street Plaza public washroom, while the Salmon Arm Curling Club will get $144,506 to replace the roof of the facility. Both those projects will be supported by CCRF funds.

The City of Kamloops will receive $750,000 to rehabilitate the Tranquille Market Corridor infrastructure, while $265,171 will go to the Kamloops Food Policy Council to support the creation of an urban agriculture parklet and community space at the Kamloops Food Hub, and an additional $86,943 will go towards the construction of an outdoor classroom at the B.C. Wildfire Park in Kamloops. Those will also be supported by the CCRF.

Through the TRF, two investments will be made in Kelowna. The first, a $57,500 contribution to the City of Kelowna, will be used to identify new routes for Kelowna International Airport. The other investment of $190,438 to the Tourism Kelowna Society/Downtown Kelowna Association will be used to incorporate a new mobile visitor centre, a large-scale “Love for Kelowna” art installation, and mobile-exclusive passes into the annual Meet Me on Bernard event.

“From world-class ski hills and wineries to spectacular lakes, the Southern Interior is home to some of British Columbia’s most beautiful spaces and top tourism destinations,” Harjit Sajjan, Minister of Emergency Preparedness and Minister responsible for PacifiCan, said.

“Investing in shared public spaces and tourism experiences in this region will not only help bring people together, it will help businesses create jobs right in their communities so they can thrive for years to come.”

These and the other projects funded through the PacifiCan investments are expected to create over 110 jobs in the Southern Interior.

by Liam Verster

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