Each year, Northern Development contracts numerous local photographers to capture professional images of projects that the Trust has invested in. This initiative celebrates the successes of grant recipients and raises awareness about the new or improved amenities that are available to the public.
Below are some favourite images from 2021.
Tumbler Ridge Pump Track
$50,000 Community Halls and Recreation Facilities grant for $300,109 project.
On July 24, 2021, Tumbler Ridge Mountain Bike Association (TRMBA) welcomed the community to the grand opening of their new pump track.
According to TRMBA, biking in the northeast is a largely untapped economic opportunity. This project has directly supported and diversified economic opportunities to support visitation to Tumbler Ridge and the Peace Region.
Stewart Dirt Bike Track and Multi-Use Park
$30,000 Community Halls and Recreation Facilities grant for $49,300 project.
The Dirt Bike Track and Multi-Use Park opened in Stewart in 2017 and was immediately well-received by the community. Within weeks, 30 memberships were sold to the Mountain Madness Motorsports Club. At that time, the oldest member of the club was in their mid-fifties and the youngest was three years old.
“Hearing that there was a motocross park being constructed in this area helped influence my decision to move here,” said Branden Small, professional rider and new Stewart resident. “I compete nationally and this park gives me a great place to practice. I feel that this track’s popularity and use will increase as word gets around the north that Stewart has a professionally designed motocross park.”
Williams Lake First Nation Cannabis Cultivation Facility
$250,000 Economic Diversification Infrastructure grant for $1,100,000 project.
Funding for Williams Lake First Nation’s farm-to-gate craft cannabis facility was approved in October 2019 and construction is ongoing.
This project is a key component in the Williams Lake First Nation’s economic development and economic diversification strategy and provides them with a new revenue stream. As a result, there will be broadened employment opportunities for their members while providing a new product to the region.
Town Centre Mall
$5,000 Business Façade Improvement grant
Town Centre Mall in Mackenzie underwent a serious transformation in 2018 and 2019. The mall’s exterior was refreshed with metal and tile, new tenant signage, new lighting and wood façade on the main pillars.
After completing the façade upgrades, the family-owned strip mall noticed an increase in potential tenants asking about mall space and they felt more pride in their building’s appearance. The project supports economic development in Mackenzie by encouraging private sector investment and improving the community’s visual attractiveness and visitor experience.
