First Phase of KVR Repairs Now Complete

The Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA), in coordination with the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen (RDOS) and Recreation Sites and Trails BC (RSTBC), has wrapped up the first phase of trail improvements along the Kettle Valley Rail (KVR) trail between Bellevue Trestle (above Kelowna) and Glenfir Station (above Naramata). The improvements included brushing, grading and raising the tread (trail surface) in certain areas that saw annual flooding. Locations were identified by a professional Geotechnical Engineer and the project was done using heavy machinery. 

Belleview Trestle

Phase 2 of the work will include capping of the sections that saw large rock aggregate being used to raise the tread of the flooding sections. Currently, the large aggregate is not ideal for cycling, however capping will take place in the coming month to complete the work for an improved trail experience along this section of the KVR. More details on phase 2 of the work will be updated when the work commences. 

TOTA is pleased to continue undertaking this work to create a better KVR experience. We would like to acknowledge the support of Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD) and the Community Economic Recovery Infrastructure (CERIP) program funding, received through the Ministry of Forest Lands Natural Resource Operations & Rural Development to enable TOTA to contribute to this project and implement these changes along the trail. We also appreciate the work that many have undertaken to improve the trail over the past many months, including the RDOS, RSTBC, Chute Lake Lodge and others.

Section with Raised Tread

Section with Raised Tread

Applications Open for Community Economic Recovery Infrastructure Program (CERIP) – Due October 29, 2020

The Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association recommends that you review the details of a new funding opportunity through the Province of British Columbia: The Community Economic Recovery Infrastructure Program (CERIP).

The application window for the CERIP is very short with a deadline of October 29, 2020.

The Province of British Columbia has allocated up to $90 million to support community economic resilience, tourism, heritage, and urban and rural economic development projects.

The CERIP provides an opportunity for Indigenous applicants, local governments, tourism organizations, heritage leaders, and not-for-profit organizations to apply for infrastructure funding that supports projects and initiatives for public use and that benefit and create jobs, support economic development and recovery from the impacts of COVID-19.

Eligible applicants can receive a one-time, 100% funded provincial grant to support four key streams:

• Community Economic Resilience supports initiatives through investment in short term, small scale public infrastructure meeting the economic recovery objectives of initial job creation in the community and ancillary job creation in other areas hard hit with COVID -19 such as local retail and services.

• Destination Development invests in the development, conservation, repair, or rehabilitation of new or existing tourism infrastructure and amenities to assist in the re-emergence and resiliency of the tourism sector, creating jobs that will provide long term benefits for the tourism sector and local communities.

• Unique Heritage Infrastructure supports projects focused on the conservation, repair, rehabilitation, and development of cultural heritage infrastructure to help communities safeguard and enjoy their heritage places while creating employment through the stewardship of cultural heritage.

• Rural Economic Recovery improves the prosperity and quality of life in rural communities through projects that create jobs, develop economic infrastructure, support a vibrant local business sector, and accelerate economic recovery.

CERIP is designed to support projects that are construction ready in 2021 and can be completed by March 31, 2023. Projects must start by December 31, 2021. 

Indigenous and local government applicants are encouraged to consider partnering with not-for-profit applicants in local communities wherever possible for their consideration and applicability to CERIP.

Every grant application is assessed in the context of the program eligibility guidelines. The final approval of projects and funds will occur when a new cabinet is sworn in.

Program information such as application instructions and links to resource documents are available at gov.bc.ca/CERIP.

The ministries and their delivery partner contacts are available to provide advice as you prepare your application. For information on the four streams, please see specific contacts in the table below:

Applications are now open. The application window for the CERIP is very short with a deadline of October 29, 2020.

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Additional Information

For more information or to answer any questions, please contact:
Mike Overend
Director of Sustainability
Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association
e: IndustrySupport@TOTABC.com
t: (778) 721-5462

The ministries and their delivery partner contacts are available to provide advice as you prepare your application. For information on the four streams, please see specific contacts below:

Rural Economic Recovery:
Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development
Rural Policy and Programs Branch
Email: ruraldevelopment@gov.bc.ca
Phone: 250 356-7950

Destination Development:
Tourism, Arts and Culture Tourism Sector Strategy Division
Dawn Rueckl
Email: tourismpolicy@gov.bc.ca
Phone: (778) 698-1802

Unique Heritage:
Infrastructure Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development
Indigenous applicants: First Peoples’ Cultural Council
Karen Aird
Email: karen@fpcc.ca
All other applicants: Thompson/Okanagan
Paul Gravett
Email: pgravett@heritagebc.ca

Community Economic Resilience:
Municipal Affairs and Housing Local Government Infrastructure & Finance
Email: infra@gov.bc.ca
Phone: 250 387-4060