Thursday, April 27, 2023
In order to help the province maintain its position as a world-class tourism destination, repairs to the dome at Science World and other tourist facilities in British Columbia will receive a $50 million boost.
“If you live in B.C., you have a couple special places you love to visit with family and friends. For my family, Science World is one of those spots,” said Premier David Eby.
“If you’re visiting B.C. you know how much there is to see – but all this doesn’t happen by accident. That’s why we’re building a strong tourism sector where visitors can experience all our province has to offer and British Columbians can enjoy their favourite places as well as the benefits of a strong, diverse economy.”
Critical systems located in Science World’s dome, such as heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) and electrical systems, are nearing the end of their useful lives and must be repaired. The dome is also leaking, making the theatre inoperable.
The Province is spending $20 million in Science World to fund critical infrastructure repairs and renovations to the dome and other areas of the complex. New electrical energy efficiency and other vital infrastructure changes will be included in the updates.
“The past three years have been incredibly difficult for people in the tourism industry,” said Lana Popham, Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport.
“Our government is proud to invest in the tourism sector to support the people who work in it and to support its sustained recovery. By supporting Science World, we are ensuring families throughout B.C. and all our visitors can continue to create lifelong memories together.”
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, Science World had been a prominent tourist destination in Vancouver since it opened for Expo 86, with over 860,000 visitors per year. It is also a learning institution for students and instructors from around British Columbia, showcasing vocations in science, technology, engineering, arts and design, and maths (STEAM) and preparing pupils for the future.
“This funding will allow us to continue to make critical infrastructure updates to the iconic dome,” said Tracy Redies, CEO, Science World.
“We look forward to continuing to work with the Province to ensure we can keep welcoming millions of visitors from B.C., Canada and around the world for another 35 years.”
The government will also invest $30 million to improve current tourist infrastructure across the province, build internationally competitive destinations, establish a year-round visitor economy, and promote sustainability, accessibility, and inclusivity. New tourism attractions, campsite developments, integrating Indigenous culture and language, accessibility improvements, and climate change adaptations are among the projects planned. This additional investment supplemented the $15 million previously committed for 2023 and contributes to the creation of more dynamic communities for inhabitants and tourists.
The $45-million tourism infrastructure fund supports 90 shovel-ready, tourism-development projects throughout the province, such as:
• The Western Canada Mountain Bike Tourism Association’s province wide project to improve visitor responsibility on mountain bike trails and collect data about visitor use to assist with trail maintenance;
• The City of Delta’s Barns to Beaches Bike Route, supporting agri-tourism and encouraging active transportation, such as biking; and
• The Tāłtān Central Government’s signage project, supporting the implementation of a signage master plan that includes Tāłtān language, oral history, storytelling and worldview.
Tags: british columbia, Science World
Wednesday, May 1, 2024
Wednesday, May 1, 2024
