The Provincial Resort Municipality Initiative helps power economic development in Revelstoke.
Economic Development Coordinator Cat Moffat updated the initiative to council members at the Sept. 12 Community of the Whole Meeting.
Moffat noted that Revelstoke is one of 14 resort municipalities eligible to participate in the incentive-based program.
The RMI program in which funding is delegated each year is guided by a Resort Development Strategy (RDS), which is developed every three years with input from tourism stakeholders.
Funding is based on the MRDT - Municipal Regional District Tax that Economic Development Revelstoke collects and that Tourism Revelstoke helps manage. Revelstoke receives a basic two percent of the funds it collects plus collects, along with additional performance funding based on how well the city has done.
With a budget of $13 million for all 14 participating communities, the RMI program aims to build and diversify tourism infrastructure, deliver exceptional visitor experiences and incorporate sustainable tourism practices and products.
Moffat pointed out that the key outcomes of the RMI initiative are increased resort activities and amenities, an increase in the number of visitors and activities for them to enjoy, increased private investment, increased employment in the community, increased tourism contribution to the local economy, increased municipal tax revenue and diversification of the municipal tax base and revenue.
Funding since the program's inception in 2008 to 2023 was $9.7 million.
"Funding has continued to see growth as more hotels/motels open, however, it is important to note that the combined total for all 14 resort municipalities is $13 million. so, if Revelstoke has increased occupancy and so do the other resort municipalities, then Revelstoke might not see an increase in RMI funding.," Moffat said.
In 2023, a total of $1.5 million in RMI funding was allocated to 18 Revelstoke community organizations and 22 community projects.
"We really like to spread around to lots of organizations in the community to give them a chance to run these great events," she said.
Several infrastructure projects involving "wayfinding" (signage), water access, visitor experiences, recreational trails and arts and culture were supported to the tune of $682,660,
In the recreational trails and amenities category, the Revelstoke Cycling Association received $44,000 for the Boulder Climb Trail. Revelstoke Mountain Resort got $25,000 for the Natural Selection Tours venue build. Another $12,000 went to the Alpine Club of Canada - Columbia Mountains Section for improvements to the Mt. Begbie and Mt. McCrae Campsites and the Illicillewaet Greenbelt Society received #33,000 for winter grooming.
More than $150,000 was allocated to several projects in the arts and culture infrastructure sector including the Revelstoke Outdoor Art Movement (ROAM), which features an outdoor gallery area at Revelstoke Mountain Resort. The RMI program also provides help with the Heritage Railway Society's Interpretive Replica Tool House as well as an elevator for the Revelstoke Museum and Archives.
Arts Revelstoke received $55,000 for LUNA and $15,00 for Revy Live.
"Those are really big ones for us so we contribute to both those events and Tourism Revelstoke provides matching funds," said Moffat. 'They are really great events and provide a lot of value, and the community as well loves those events."
The BC Interior Forestry Museum put $2,500 in RMI funding towards its annual Summer Kick-off, and $3,000 supported the Columbia Mountains Institute's Responsible Recreation Conference.
The Inchelium Language & Cultural Association's Upper Columbia Canoe Journey received $15,000 and the Indigenous Friendship Society got $5,000 to hold a salmon feast. Another $1,500 in support went to a garlic festival hosted by the Local Food Initiative.
In the Events, Programs and Services category, Revelstoke Heritage Railway Museum received $3,500 for a Virtual Railfan camera and the Revelstoke Museum & Archives' walking tour/programming benefited by $8,000.
Revelstoke Mountain Resort's Natural Selection Tour received $50,000 and the Revelstoke Paddlesport Association was given $10,500 for their Paddlesport Festival. Another $10,000 went to the Revelstoke Visual Arts Centre for a public gallery opening and the Revy Riders Dirtbike Club received $14,500 to support their pro racing circuit.
The Selkirk Saddle Club was given $20,000 to help host the RCMP Musical Ride and the Revelstoke Chamber of Commerce added another $30,000 to its Ambassador Program.
Moffat reminded councillors that the current Rural Development Fund (RDF) ends this year, so the city needs to begin planning for the next one, which will run from 2026 to 2027.
Several items are economic, a five-year tourism strategic business plan, a destination management plan, backcountry recreation access planning, and cultural planning.
"We will make sure that all plans new aligned with the new RDF, and we will make sure all are incorporated into the RDF so we can allocate funding and support growth in those areas," said Moffat, noting that Revelstoke Economic Development also leverages funds from other sources such as Economic Opportunity Funding, provincial and federal funding.
Following Moffat's presentation, councillors asked questions about access to funding.
Moffat replied that all events have to be "tourist facing" as do infrastructure projects.
"We're having conversations with the funder about where we can go and if we need to make changes," she says, noting the understanding at this point is that the RDF funding program will continue as before.
Mayor Gary Sulz said that mayors of the 14 participating communities meet once a month to discuss RMI issues, including those around funding.
"Some infrastructure might not be directly visitor-facing, but is essential to be funded, Sulz said.
In response to Coun. Aaron Orlando's suggestion that the 14 communities lobby together to address their concerns, Mayor Sulz noted that chief administrative officers from participating municipalities also meet over the year and that mayors and CAOs usually have a day of meetings with ministry officials at the Union of British Columbia Municipalities' annual convention.
