A grant of $319,120 has been awarded to the Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) for its Dakota Ridge access project, the Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development announced March 24.
"This project will ensure Sunshine Coast-area residents and visitors have an avenue to connect with our breathtaking environment as they participate in outdoor recreational opportunities," said Minister Ida Chong. "This supports the health of B.C. families and the economic health of our regional communities."
The funding could potentially impel the expansion of parking while improving road conditions. With some work, the SCRD is hoping that snow clearing will become an easier process during the winter months.
Improving access to the recreational site was one of the key facets of the Dakota Ridge business plan.
"I'm really pleased because it gives people some good winter recreation to do here on the Coast, and to me that's really gratifying, to see the number of people who use it," said Elphinstone director Lorne Lewis.
He said grants can be difficult to factor into the budget process, which the SCRD board recently completed for this fiscal year.
During budgeting, the view was held that any grant funding the SCRD received would be considered "over and above," according to Lewis.
"I just am overly thrilled that we will be able to proceed with that and improve the area," he commented.
Another grant application sought funding to improve the trail networks, but was not successful this year.
Parks planning co-ordinator Sam Adams said the project is expected to cost roughly $400,000, meaning most of the funding will be covered by grant money.
The funding came from the province's $30-million community recreation program, with the government claiming that 80 per cent of eligible costs are to be covered for 98 recreation projects "which will create an estimated 458 direct jobs and 251 indirect jobs."
"We'll get it going and done this year for sure," said Adams, adding that the SCRD hopes improved road conditions will attract more visitors to Dakota Ridge.
While the application to fund expansion of the trails was not successful this year, the SCRD will continue applying for funding to meet its list of goals for Dakota Ridge.
"If it didn't happen this year, then we would have put [a grant application] in next year. We're super happy to get it," he said. "It's big, for sure."
