Northern Development has approved funding for a number of tourism information centers including Williams Lake, Chetwynd, Quesnel, Alexis Creek, Valemount as well as the Central Coast Regional District.
The District of Tumbler Ridge has placed economic diversification near the top of its priority list as it moves forward with the development of a new tourist information centre. In July, Northern Development’s board of directors approved a $250,000 grant to support the development of a post and beam information and interpretive centre that will showcase the area’s local history and unique attractions.
Tumbler Ridge, a community of 2,700 in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, is home to several unique attractions, including dinosaur fossil tours, a palaeontology research centre and Monkman Provincial Park’s Kinuseo Falls, which is taller than Niagara Falls.
The community’s new tourist information and interpretive centre, a $1.5 million project, will include large open spaces, vaulted ceilings, wheelchair accessibility, a meeting room, gift shop, local history sections and also house offices for the local chamber of commerce and community development officer.
The community’s current visitor information centre is a small 30-year-old building that is only used during the summer months. The proposed multi-use tourist information centre would be open year round and serve as one of the main multi-use facilities in Tumbler Ridge. The new building will generate more than $100,000 in new revenue for the community in the next five years, mostly from facility rentals and souvenir sales.
Northern Development has previously approved funding for additional tourism information centers in the region including the communities of Williams Lake, Chetwynd, Quesnel, Alexis Creek, Valemount as well as the Central Coast Regional District.
Northern Development’s $250,000 grant is provided through the Trust’s Economic Diversification Infrastructure program, which provides funding to municipalities, regional districts, First Nations and non-profit organizations in Northern Development’s service area for projects that significantly strengthen the local economy via a major capital investment.
Quotes
“Tumbler Ridge is home to some of the most unique and valuable natural tourism assets in British Columbia, and this new facility will help the community promote those attractions and strengthen the local economy,” said Evan Saugstad, Chair, Northern Development Initiative Trust.
“As a community we are delighted that once again Northern Development has supported and shared our vision of diversification of our local economy. Having the support of the Northern Development at this time is critical as our community moves forward through challenging times,” said District of Tumbler Ridge Mayor Darwin Wren. “We are a stronger, more resilient community with this support and we are very thankful.”
“The Tumbler Ridge Chamber of Commerce is excited to be involved in the operations of the new visitor center in Tumbler Ridge,” said President of the Tumbler Ridge Chamber of Commerce Roxanne Gulick. “The Chamber feels year round operations of this new building will lead to new growth opportunities for many different businesses in our area. We want to thank the District of Tumbler Ridge and Northern Development for their parts in this great opportunity.”
Quick Facts
• Northern Development has already approved 17 projects through the Economic Diversification Infrastructure program in 2014, with a combined total funding commitment of $3,621,283
• To date, the Trust has committed $125 million in funding to nearly 1,500 economic development projects and programs in communities throughout central and northern British Columbia.
• The Tumbler Ridge Tourist Information Centre is a $1.5 million project that will include large open spaces, vaulted ceilings, wheelchair accessibility, a meeting room, gift shop, local history sections and also house offices for the local chamber of commerce and community development officer
• Northern Development has previously funded the development of tourist information centres in Valemount and Williams Lake.
Contact
Joel McKay
Director, Communications
Northern Development Initiative Trust
joel@northerndevelopment.bc.ca
Phone: 250-561-2525
