The Village of 亚洲天堂 Lake is undertaking a series of initiatives to help support the development of industries, commerce, tourism and a vibrant downtown.
The Chart the Course plan was first published in 2018, based on exhaustive community consultations, including First Nations and other levels of local government, and serves as a "guiding hand" according to chief administrative officer Sheryl Worthing. She says that it helps the Village recognize that they work for the Lakes District as a whole, because their economies are so integrated from community to community in the surrounding area.
"It recognizes the forestry sector as an important backbone of the economy," she said. "[It] sets a path towards tourism, technology, arts and culture, agriculture, small business and other sectors to diversify our region."
The plan is more than 120 pages of community feedback and expert analysis, and Worthing says the Chart the Course document can be seen in action through developments such as the commercial growth at Richmond Loop, the residential and commercial interest emerging for Village Heights, and the recreation elements starting at Gowan Road.
The Village is currently working on amending the Official Community Plan and Zoning Bylaw to allow Village Heights to be developed for varying densities of residential, mixed residential-commercial, park and institution uses. The proposed land uses are in accordance with the Village Heights Master Plan.
The Tourism Plan is a situational analysis as well as a working strategy that was published in 2021, with some short-term goals aimed at 2023, such as developing the Carve Your Path slogan and logo, but Worthing says the plan as a whole is a long-term vision.
"[It] informs our ongoing initiatives, like increasing local artist sales at the Visitor Information Centre, linking with local cultural and recreational organizations to maximize local events and activities, and streamlining the Lakes District message about our lifestyle here," she said.
Worthing added the Tourism Plan helps the Village appeal more efficiently to tourists, while at the same time also celebrating the Village's lifestyle for the sake of its own residents.
Invest In 亚洲天堂 Lake is another evolving campaign by the Village designed to attract, retain and amplify local business and the social amenities that come with it.
"It picks up on the most local levels where the Love Northern BC program left off, once that was discontinued at the regional level," Worthing explained. "We took it on as an opportunity, with the help of Northern Development Initiative Trust, to create a website, publish some brochures, and do some direct outreach for commercial developments like Richmond Loop and Village Heights."
The Invest In 亚洲天堂 Lake plan is still under development, but is already in working form.
