Project Title:

Comox Small Craft Harbour Revitalization

Project Organization:

Comox Valley Harbour Authority

Project Investment:

  • Island Coastal Economic Trust: $400,000
  • DFO - Small Craft Harbours: $1,240,000
  • WestCCAP: $250,000
  • Comox Valley Harbour Authority: $50,000
  • Total Budget: $1,940,000

Project Highlight:

Despite record setting inclement weather in the revitalized Harbour's inaugural summer season, the number of visiting vessels increased alongside overall tourism revenues. -CVHA Report

Marine tourism has been rapidly increasing in the region in recent years.  But aging harbour infrastructure and a lack of new moorage spaces had been slowing potential tourism growth in this sector.  Home to a large commercial fishing fleet and a desirable destination for recreational boaters, demand for moorage in the Comox Harbour had exceeded available space. To accommodate new transient moorage and protect the Harbour more effectively during storms, the old breakwater needed upgrading.

To address these space and safety concerns, the Comox Harbour Revitalization Project increased moorage space on the east side of the Comox Small Craft Harbour with 550 linear feet of floats and built 320 feet of floating breakwater. Additional infrastructure, including ramps, electrical upgrades and fire safety infrastructure, were also installed.

Thanks to these improvements, completed in August 2012, marine tourism in the Comox Harbour has space to grow.  Boaters travelling along the east coast of Vancouver Island can find a haven in the welcoming Comox Harbour, as they explore the Gulf Islands and the beauty of the Georgia Strait.  Early results indicate positive impacts, with the new transient moorage spaces filled almost to capacity and an increase in the length of Harbour stays. This indicates that visitors are stepping off their vessels, which benefits the local economy.

Island Coastal Economic Trust funded this project on 2012 through the Capital and Innovation program.