A sani-dump, Snickett Park washroom, e-bike chargers and parking spaces are on the list of projects that will move ahead on the Sunshine Coast with more than $1.4 million in provincial funding for tourism-dependent communities.
The municipalities, along with Powell River, received a total of $2.4 million as part of B.C.’s Economic Recovery Plan through the Ministry of Tourism, which distributed $9.2 million to Vancouver Island, coastal and mountainous regions that rely heavily on visitors.
Parking, signage, bike racks and electric bike charging stations are among the active transportation network upgrades slated for Gibsons, at a cost of $675,000.
Sechelt received more than $800,000 overall, including $126,519 to install a sani-dump station near downtown and an information kiosk – though an exact location has not yet been identified. The district says it prefers somewhere near Highway 101.
Another $300,000 will be spent on Hackett Park playground equipment upgrades and a mural for the washroom.
Changes will also be coming to the Trail Bay seawalk with $382,500 to install a washroom in Snickett Park, three cement pads for mobile vendors, public art, bear-proof garbage cans and locally-crafted benches, according to a District of Sechelt release.
No matching funds are required for the grants.
“A sani-dump is very important infrastructure for the whole coast and we are pleased to be able to provide that in Sechelt. The improvements to Hackett Park and the Trail Bay seawalk will greatly improve these two gems for our community and for our visitors,” said Sechelt Mayor Darnelda Siegers in a release.
Sechelt parks manager Jayme Anderson said of the Hackett Park improvements that he looks forward “to learning what the community wants for this space when we begin community engagement on the project.”
Sunshine Coast MLA Nicholas Simons mentioned the infrastructure funding during a Sechelt and District Chamber of Commerce talk on March 26, when discussing recent improvements on Highway 101, including widening shoulders.
“I’ve bicycled in every province except Newfoundland, and I have to say, I find the Lower Sunshine Coast Highways to be a little bit more fear inducing,” he said. “This is something I think is very important, making sure we have ways for people to get around safely.”
