Tourism Pemberton Receives $236,500 in Grant Funding for Backcountry Sanitary Infrastructure Project and Issues Request for Proposals
Tourism Pemberton was successful in receiving Community Economic Recovery Infrastructure Program (CERIP) funding in the amount $236,500 for the installation of Between The Wall (BTW) diversion washrooms at key backcountry access locations. This project relates to Tourism Pemberton’s Responsible Destination Management strategy in which the organization looks to work together with various partners to invest in infrastructure and its maintenance to benefit residents and visitors to create remarkable experiences for all. With this injection of funding, the organization is now able to invest in an infrastructure need – backcountry sanitation.
The project will provide critical sanitary infrastructure at popular trailheads and backcountry destinations where little or none exists today thereby contributing to the quality of the traveller experience and to responsible management of tourism growth that protects sensitive alpine habitat.
All across the Province there has been growth in backcountry use as BC residents explore their own backyards through COVID recovery. The backcountry areas around Pemberton with their proximity to Whistler and the Lower Mainland in particular have seen growth in use.
Tourism Pemberton is thankful for support of the First Nations communities including N’quatqua, Lil’wat. Samahquam and Xa’xtsa, as well as Destination BC, the Provincial Community Economic Recovery Infrastructure Program, the Village of Pemberton, the Squamish Lillooet Regional District, the Pemberton & District Chamber, BC Rec Sites, Pemberton Valley Trails Association, Backcountry BC, and Alpine Canada.
At this time, Tourism Pemberton is requesting proposals from vendors to manufacture and install the BTW Diversion washrooms as part of the Backcountry Sanitary Infrastructure project.
A total of ten BTW Diversion washrooms will be installed at locations that experienced growth in visitor traffic in summer 2020 as well as newly created trails with sensitive alpine ecosystems. BTW Diversion washrooms have become the sanitary choice for many areas around the world as they are efficient and low in maintenance while creating a desired effect of what a small community requires in the backcountry. Some of the approved locations include Mosquito Lake, the Lower Paraglide launch site, Coole Creek, Wendy Thompson Trail head, Shadow Lake, Sloquet Hot Springs and Gord’s Garden.
Tourism Pemberton, the project proponent, has made a 10-year commitment to maintain these facilities in keeping with its mandate to contribute to destination development.
To request the full RFP specifications in order to submit a proposal, please visit tourismpembertonbc.com/rfp.
The deadline for submitting proposals is 4:00pm Friday, April 16, 2021.