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West Kootenay towns benefit from PacifiCan funding

“These projects grow economic opportunities, create jobs, and improve community wellness.”
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Rossland Museum is creating a virtual tour of the Red Mountain mine with funding from the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada. Photo: Submitted

A dozen West Kootenay tourism destinations and municipalities will see a boost of $1.2 million from the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada (PacifiCan).

The Rossland Museum and Archives will receive $100,000 for upgrades and development of an interactive experience that represents Rossland’s rich mining history.

“We are so excited to receive this grant and ramp up our planning again,” said Joelle Hodgins, museum director. “We hope to settle our project budget and timeline in the coming months.”

The federal government announced funding for 12 projects earlier this month, which include advancements in Rossland tourism.

“Amazing things are happening in the Southern Interior,” said Harjit S. Sajjan, Minister responsible for PacifiCan. “Investing in shared public spaces and tourism experiences will bring communities together, attract new visitors, and ensure that the West Kootenay region thrives well into the future.”

The museum looks to upgrade exhibition designs and complete plans for renovation and expansion. Priorities include an addition to the main museum building that will house a visitor centre, museum shop, introductory content, and a new public theatre and presentation space.

Hodgins says improvements will roll out in multi-phases over a few years.

It also has a plan to develop an interactive underground tunnel experience that provides a riveting look at what life was like working in the Red Mountain mines.

“The showpiece exhibit though will be the new mine experience,” she explains. “An above-ground mine tunnel experience will allow us to continue to tell the incredible history of mining on Red Mountain, showcase our renowned geology collection, and explore the community stories that have made Rossland what it is today.”

The museum will also enhance indoor exhibits by adding mining objects that are only seasonally accessible in the upper-level property as well as those that had to be put in storage when the original adit was closed in 2012.

Safe and inclusive public spaces and dynamic tourism attractions are key to vibrant communities, PacifiCan notes, adding that throughout the West Kootenay, communities are welcoming residents and visitors alike to enjoy new and improved public spaces and tourism experiences.

Other grants include: $60,000 for Big Red Cats Inc. to build two new snowcat cabins with enhanced health and safety protocols for visiting skiers; and $25,000 for Kootenay Robusters Society towards its dragon boat and storage facility at Christina Lake.

PacifiCan grants are comprised of $574,000 for three projects funded through the Canada Community Revitalization Fund and over $643,000 for nine projects funded through the Tourism Relief Fund.

The Community Revitalization Fund granted the Village of Nakusp almost $500,000 to revitalize the downtown core and gave $49,050 for Nakusp’s Kootenay Adaptive Sport Association.

The Tourism Relief Fund will provide Valkyer Adventures Inc. $99,800, Sol Mountain Touring Ltd. $82,397, Valhalla Mountain Touring $67,500, Hurley Holdings $59,000, Snowwater Heli-Skiing Inc. $77,000, Kootenay Mountain Holidays $56,500, and Tamarack Alpine Adventures $41,233.

Upgrading infrastructure and building new public assets means residents and visitors have better access to recreational programs and facilities, PacifiCan adds.

“These projects grow economic opportunities, create jobs, and improve community wellness.”

These funding announcement builds on the recent opening of PacifiCan offices in Kelowna and Cranbrook to help support economic development in the Southern Interior.



Jim Bailey

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