The Town has been awarded $700,000 for its Waterfront Expansion project. The Province of British Columbia provided the funding through their Tourism Dependent Community Fund.
Through this grant, the Town will activate underutilized Town-owned land on the waterfront to create additional parking and community gathering places for both residents and visitors.
The project creates greater access to safe outdoor recreation spaces, especially important during COVID-19, and in turn supports economic stimulus for the Town in these difficult times.
Proposed works include:
- 100-150 new parking stalls along the central waterfront by infilling approximately 640 meters of roadside ditch and laying gravel and guidelines along the south side of Highway 19A. This is a very cost-effective way to make the waterfront more convenient and accessible for both residents and visitors.
- 'Servicing kiosks' equipped with water and power hook up for mobile vendors/food trucks. These spaces will be furnished with covered seating areas to accommodate all-weather use.
- Traffic calming measures, including two pedestrian activated crossings along the waterfront, to create a safer experience for all waterfront users.
- Parking meters to regulate overnight use (10pm – 8am). Overnight parking is currently prohibited along the entire 3km stretch of the central waterfront, but frequently occurs without authorization. Parking meters will allow the Town to manage overnight parking and limit it to designated areas. Payment and enforcement is to be monitored by a third party, such as Robbins Parking.
- Dedicated overnight RV Parking. Install 6-8 RV sized spaces along the central waterfront, equipped with power and water hook up. This will provide legitimate overnight parking infrastructure between 10pm – 8am, and utilize off-peak hours, allowing the Town to accommodate tourism accommodation in the area without constraining daytime parking, when demand is highest. Payment and enforcement will be monitored by a third party, such as Robbins Parking.
“The Qualicum Beach waterfront is integral to the identity of the Town, and vital to the health of the local community, environment and economy. This is a key project for the Town, which will further utilize our prized waterfront, and stimulate tourism in peak and shoulder seasons, in times of healthy community gatherings, and in times of current COVID-19 social distancing.”- Mayor Brian Wiese.
The project is set to commence preliminary construction in late summer 2021, and be completed by early 2023.
Contact
Luke Sales
Director of Planning
Town of Qualicum Beach
250.752.6921
