Island community projects get $4.3M in funding

More than $4.3 million in federal money is going to upgrade community infrastructure on Vancouver Island and support small businesses.

The funds from the Canada community revitalization fund will go to 13 projects, while another $406,647 from the tourism relief fund will go to five projects. Each fund was set up last year, providing $500 million over two years.

The infrastructure funding is aimed at projects that revitalize downtown cores and main streets, reinvent outdoor spaces, create green infrastructure, and increase the accessibility of community spaces

On the Island’s east coast, the Cape Mudge Indian band is receiving $750,000 to install lighting at the We Wai Kai sports field in Campbell River.

On the west coast, the District of Ucluelet will get $750,000 to install bike lanes, improve accessibility in the community and beautify a section of Peninsula Road.

The Regional District of Nanaimo will receive $500,000 to upgrade Jack Bagley Community Park in Nanoose Bay, which is being developed in two phases. Federal funds will pay for sports courts — one for tennis and five for pickleball — and a new event space, picnic shelter and accessibility improvements.

Nanaimo Coun. Tyler Brown, chair of the regional district’s board, said community parks “are more important than ever to our residents and their wellbeing.”

Harjit S. Sajjan, minister of international development, was in Nanoose for the announcement and said the funds will help bring people together and help communities grow and thrive.

The Stz’iminus First Nation will use $521,900 in infrastructure funds to revitalize the Oyster Bay neighbourhood on the Island’s east coast.

Lantzville, immediately north of Nanaimo, is receiving $487,500 to upgrade the village’s main street.

The hugely popular Lions Ventureland Playground in Parksville will receive $300,000.

Tourism relief funding of just under $100,000 is going to Ay Lelum, the Good House of Design, founded by sisters Aunalee Boyd-Good and Sophia Seward-Good. The First Nations clothing company managed to get to New York in September to showcase its gowns despite a fire ripping through its warehouse in Cedar the previous month.

A similar amount will go to Coastal Rainforest Safaris of Port Hardy, which will use the money to buy a new boat.