The Fernie Nordic Society has found itself with a wheelbarrow of cash, after receiving a grant for $822,500 from the provincial government’s Community Economic Recovery Infrastructure Program’s (CERIP) Destination Development stream.
The funding for 2022 is part of a $21.3 million boost for tourism projects around the province. It is the second funding boost for tourism as part of the funding stream. In 2021, the government spread around $20 million as part of a project to support economic recovery.
The Nordic Society is one of nine in the Kootenay-Rockies to receive funding. Some $3,420,566 is being invested in this region, of which the Fernie Nordic Society is receiving the largest share.
The funds will go towards the enhancement of the Elk Valley Nordic Centre ski area through dedicated parking, washroom facilities and a multi-purpose trailhead facility.
The Elk Valley Nordic Centre is located to the south of Fernie, hosting some 10km of groomed trails over the winter months for exclusive cross country skiing use.
In a post to Facebook, the Nordic Society said they were grateful to receive the funds, which would improve the outdoor experience for locals and visitors alike.
“The next year will be filled with fun and challenges as we undertake the design and construction of a facility that will benefit the Elk Valley skiing community for decades,” they said.
Details on the new facilities will be released as they come available.
Other projects that received funding in the Kootenay-Rockies region include $417,865 to the Revelstoke Ski Club for a new modular building and $100,000 to the City of Rossland for a downtown publish washroom.
Elsewhere around the province, the Smithers Ski Club has $418,000 for a new winter sports event centre, the Doig River First Nation has $313,618 for the development of interpretive trails and an amphitheatre, almost $900,000 is going to Sun Peaks resort for upgrades to the village plaza, $328,000 is going towards the Nicola Valley Mountain Biking Trails Network and a million dollars is going to the Lytton First Nation for the revitalization of a memorial park.
All in all, there are 52 projects receiving funding across the province as part of the 2022 funding.
READ MORE: Fernie nets an extra $750,000 in funds for tourism projects
scott.tibballs@thefreepress.ca
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