Project Title:

Port McNeill Harbour Development

Project Organization:

Town of Port McNeill

Project Investment:

  • Island Coastal Economic Trust: $3,500,000
  • Coast Sustainability Trust: $250,000
  • DFO - Small Craft Harbours: $2,000,000
  • WestCCAP: $250,000
  • Town of Port McNeill: $2,368,671
  • Total Budget: $8,868,671

Project Highlight:

The investment in the Town of Port McNeill’s harbour is expected to increase moorage revenues by 75%.

Port McNeill Harbour is the gateway to the Broughton Archipelago. It is often referred to as the “Hub of the North Island” for its role as a launching point for the region’s resorts, logging camps, aquaculture sites, ecotourism destinations. Along with its ‘hub’ status, events such as the Summer Orca Fest and Community Seaside Market are popular attractions bringing visitors to the waterfront. These factors have contributed to the increase in marine traffic, bringing a greater demand for moorage and waterfront amenities.
The development of the Port McNeill Harbour included the extension of the east-side breakwater, creating space for new floats that resulted in a 70% increase in mooring capacity. The addition of a new concrete float and ramp has improved offloading capacity and industry productivity. The relocation and renovation of the Town’s Visitor Information Centre and Harbour Operation offices to the higher-profile waterfront location, the creation of new and expanded park spaces and new waterfront commercial sites have also contributed to the enhancement of a vibrant waterfront district.
Completed in 201, these improvements have resulted in significant investments by adjoining harbour businesses, creating additional capacity and services to meet the needs of visitors and recreational boaters. The expansion also supports growth in commercial fishing, as well as a variety of other commercial activities, including: aquaculture; resort tourism; sand and gravel extraction; and ocean-based research and development. By 2015, the redevelopment is expected to support 80 new local jobs.

Island Coastal Economic Trust funded this project on 2010 through the Capital and Innovation program.