Mar 31, 2021

Town of Ladysmith receives $701,552 in tourism funding for Transfer Beach amenities

The Town of Ladysmith is receiving $701,552 in Provincial tourism funding to support significant upgrades to community amenities at Transfer Beach Park, including an accessible walkway and paved food truck area, upgraded park shelters, the reconstruction of the public washroom and new park features promoting active transportation.

The funding is being received through the Province’s Tourism Dependent Community Fund stream and the proposed projects align with Ladysmith Council’s strategic priorities for economic development and the creation of cultural and recreational amenities.

“During the COVID-19 pandemic, Ladysmith’s outdoor spaces have been the safe places where we’ve been able to gather in small groups or simply try and find a quiet moment to ourselves,” said Mayor Aaron Stone. “We are grateful for this important source of funding that will help us rebuild, adapt and diversify our tourism infrastructure as we continue to move forward with implementation of the Waterfront Area Plan.”

Improvements to Transfer Beach Park

The scope of improvements to the Transfer Beach Park amenities will enhance the overall user experience and continue to make Ladysmith a mid-Island tourism destination as the local economy recovers.

The Town will work with our community stakeholders as we rebuild the Kinsmen and Sportsmen shelters to achieve significant layout improvements to these structures.  The upgrades will not only create a more user-friendly experience for rentals and day camps but also offer better site lines to the picturesque waterfront park.

In keeping with the Town’s commitment to accessibility and inclusivity, a new paved pathway will connect from the parking lot to the Sportsmen shelter as well as other park features so that visitors with mobility challenges can enjoy a total beach experience with family and friends. 

A portion of the funding is also dedicated towards building a protective shelter over the Salish Wind – the traditional hand-carved cedar canoe that acknowledges the traditional unceded territory of the Stz’uminus First Nation people.

The Town will rebuild the Transfer Beach Park public washroom to make the layout more accessible, safe and meeting the increasing demand.  The addition of all new touchless fixtures and LED lighting enhancements as part of this much-needed renovation supports sustainability and saves on overall energy costs.

Lastly, new park amenities such as bike racks and a bike service station to encourage active transportation and cycling tourism in our region.

The Town will begin work on many of these projects in the coming weeks.

For the latest news and updates, visit the Town’s website at www.ladysmith.ca, as well as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

You can also receive up-to-date information in your email inbox by subscribing to the Town’s newsletter.