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The following projects are examples of economic development initiatives implemented by the community since 1986: |
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| Downtown Revitalization | |
| Following the recession of
the mid 1980's, Revelstoke's leaders recognized the need for a unified
approach to diversify the economy and build upon the strengths of the
community's existing infrastructure to enhance tourism development
opportunities. An intensive marketing campaign was launched to entice
local businesses to work together in creating a new image for downtown
Revelstoke. Concept drawings were prepared to recapture and build upon the
Victorian architecture of this historical mountain community.
In 1986, the community embarked on a $2.8 million restoration project to the downtown area. The centerpiece is Grizzly Plaza with its life size bronze-cast grizzly bear statues and a beautiful red domed bandshell. Custom designed lamp posts topped with specially selected lamps; distinctive brickwork in the plaza and downtown sidewalks; planting of 300 trees along city sidewalks encased in intricate grates at their base and a computer controlled watering system to supply water on a regular basis to the trees' roots, and; a double faced ornate clock donated by the Rotary Club for the plaza; provided the finishing touches to the revitalization program. Several buildings in the downtown area were restored to their original facades revealing Victorian designs. Other buildings received a fresh coat of paint and minor upgrades to complement the revitalization program. Many heritage homes have also been restored and a Community Heritage Commission assists with coordinating efforts of participating homeowners and advises the City on historical matters. The Heritage Area Revitalization Project
(HARP), sponsored by the provincial government, provided subsidies for the
restoration work. Leadership, concerted efforts of local business and
funding support, were the important ingredients of this revitalization
project that enabled the community to meet its goal of gaining the
attention of tourists in search of an authentic historic experience. |
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| Community Futures | |
| Concerted efforts on the part of City of Revelstoke, the Economic Development Commission and the local Member of Parliament led to Revelstoke's designation as a Community Futures community 1987. The Community Futures Society, with operational funding assistance and capitalization for a $1.55 million loan fund provided by the Federal Government became instrumental in bolstering the economy with a variety of community development projects, a self-employment program and loans to businesses with a higher level of risk. The Community Futures Society is now the Community Futures Revelstoke with a $4.8 million loan portfolio and a very successful track record of providing community economic development assistance. | |
| Revelstoke Railway Museum | |
| Construction of the
Revelstoke Railway Museum is a community project sponsored by the
Revelstoke Community Futures Society. Preservation and interpretation of
Revelstoke's railway history are two of the goals of the Revelstoke
Heritage Railway Society, which was formed in 1988 to guide the
development of the museum and assume responsibility for its operation. The
site for the museum is 11.16 acres which was owned and subsequently
conveyed by the City of Revelstoke to the Revelstoke Heritage Railway
Society. The centrepiece displays for the museum are Steam Engine #5468
provided by Canadian Historical Railway Assoc. and Business Car #4 donated
by CP Rail.
The Railway Museum is a very successful addition to the community's heritage and tourism attractions and provides increased stability to the tourism industry and diversification of the economy. |
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| Revelstoke Community Forest Corporation | |
| During the period 1987
-1992, the City began to accumulate expertise in forest industry research
and analysis and was able to challenge forest practices and impress upon
the provincial government the need for local input into forest management
and planning. For many years, harvested local timber went to other towns
for processing and local mills were shut down for lack of timber supply.
In 1992, the City of Revelstoke and the Economic Development Commission
acted to forestall the sale of a nearby tree farm license to out-of-town
interests. A credible counter proposal was formulated for the creation of
a local community forest corporation that would assume management and
control of a portion of the tree farm licence.
An extensive public information campaign was launched to prepare people for a referendum to invest $1 million in City money and to proceed with the launch of the Community Forest Corporation. The referendum passed with a 78% majority. The City and three local sawmill owners became partners in the venture with a total investment of $4 million. The Revelstoke Community Forest Corporation continues to present a fine return on investment and was successful in achieving the City's objective to repatriate cutting rights to the local forest industry. There are now more forestry-related jobs in Revelstoke than there were in the late 1980s. New investment in wood value-added enterprises has resulted from restructuring and strengthening this sector of the economy. |
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| Mount MacKenzie Ski Area Development | |
| Development of the Mount
Mackenzie Ski Area as a year round destination resort has been an
objective of the Economic Development Commission since 1990. Mount
Mackenzie, rising to over 2,460 m (8,000 ft.) looks down upon the City of
Revelstoke, the Columbia River and the mountains beyond. With a
lift-serviced vertical of 1,890 m (6,200 ft.) and average snowfalls of 9m
(30 ft.), the best skiing in North America is waiting for discovery.
The Mount MacKenzie ski area has been purchased is now being redeveloped by Revelstoke Mountain Resort. |
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