A Chilliwack campground is getting nearly half a million dollars from the provincial government to pay for upgrades and improvements.
Vedder River Campground is receiving $483,500 for infrastructure upgrades for existing serviced sites, adding new serviced sites, and improving customer amenities including public Wi-Fi, recreation, and accessible washroom and shower facilities.
Chilliwack-Kent MLA Kelli Paddon said the provincial government’s support for the tourism project will bring more visitors to the community and strengthen the local economy.
“Having great campgrounds around brings people from all over the world to this area who love to eat, shop and recreate in this beautiful corner of the province,” Paddon said.
Across the province, 31 projects are benefiting from the one-time grants from B.C.’s Destination Development Fund, which aims to make communities competitive destinations for tourism and strengthen local economies.
Since 2022, the province has invested $60 million in the fund to help continue to rebuild tourism levels to pre-2020 numbers by 2024. In its first year, it supported 90 projects in B.C. communities.
“British Columbia is a world-class destination and tourism is one of the province’s greatest economic drivers,” said Lana Popham, Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport. “The past three years have been incredibly challenging for people in the tourism industry, especially after years of economic uncertainty and extreme weather events like the recent wildfires. Investing in tourism infrastructure supports the tourism sector, the people who work in it, and is helping to create vibrant communities for all British Columbians and visitors.”
