COURTENAY
– The Village of Tahsis is taking the next steps in creating an
off-road ATV trail system to bring new visitors to the region.
Partnering with the Village of Zeballos,
Mowachaht/Muchalaht First Nation, Ehattesaht First Nation and working
with more than ten other regional stakeholders, the communities will be
developing a comprehensive business case and plan. The Island Coastal
Economic Trust is contributing 50% of the $30,000 project budget.
An economic development strategy prepared by Zeballos
in 2013 identified recreational trails as a potentially strong tourist
draw. A subsequent strategy developed in Tahsis in 2014 prioritized
working with the local First Nations to develop new tourism experiences
as a way to attract new visitors to the region.
“Creating a network of ATV trails, developing the
marketing tools to promote it, and all the other components of this
project requires a great deal of collaboration and cooperation,” said
ICET Chair Phil Kent. “Bringing together local government, First
Nations, the Province of BC, and private sector partners requires
significant effort, but it also means a stronger probability of success
in attracting new visitors and economic activity.”
Creating the business case will include everything
from trail development plans and route designs, to market research and
economic impact assessments.
"Since the completion of our economic development
strategies, the Villages of Tahsis and Zeballos in partnership with the
Mowachaht/Muchalaht, Ehattesaht First Nation and our other partners,
have been exploring the multi-use trail network concept," said Tahsis
Mayor Jude Schooner. "We're intent on moving from the preliminary
planning stages into concrete action as quickly as possible, and that's a
gratifying step."
This phase of the project is funded through the
‘Quick Start’ module of ICET’s Economic Development Readiness Program.
The key objective of the Program is rapid implementation of action items
identified in recent economic development strategies.
“There are miles and miles of deactivated logging
roads crisscrossing the region, and we realized that we have a great
opportunity to showcase the region and its history by creating a great
trail network,” said Zeballos Mayor Donn Cox. “By working in
partnership, we can create real change for our communities.”
About the Island Coastal Economic Trust
The Island Coastal Economic Trust is a $50 million
fund established in 2006 by the Government of British Columbia to help
diversify the economies of central and northern Vancouver Island and the
Sunshine Coast.
ICET is guided by a Board of Directors and two
Regional Advisory Committees which include more than 50 locally elected
officials and MLAs and five appointees. This exceptional team of
leaders collaborates to set regional priorities and build vital
multi-regional networks.
Through a community-centred decision-making process,
ICET has approved $49 million for over 160 economic infrastructure and
economic development readiness projects on the Island and Sunshine Coast
since implementing its grant program in 2007. ICET investments have
generated over $278 million in incremental funding into the regionA full
overview of ICET can be found at www.islandcoastaltrust.ca
-end-
For further information:
Line Robert, CEO
Island Coastal Economic Trust
Tel. 250-871-7797 (Ext. 227)
line.robert@islandcoastaltrust.ca
Mayor Phil Kent, ICET Chair
City of Duncan
Tel. 250-709-0186
mayor@duncan.ca
