Millions of dollars are added to the B.C. economy year after year through wax, boards, poles and snow.
With nearly 50,000 seasonal day visits, four major annual events and spectacular trails drawing a growing number of skiers from across North America and beyond 害羞草研究所� a new economic impact study shows that Vernon害羞草研究所檚 (SLNC) contributes $5.2 million to the B.C. economy every year through club operations and associated tourism.
That害羞草研究所檚 in addition to nine person years of employment (one person working full-time for nine years) and $900,000 in taxes to all levels of government annually.
害羞草研究所淲e are so excited to share how much the club has to offer the community,害羞草研究所� says Cyndy Flores, board chair, SLNC, the non-profit that operates a trail network and activities within Silver Star Provincial Park. 害羞草研究所淪ome people might be surprised to learn what a destination we害羞草研究所檝e become and the ripple effect that has on local tourism.害羞草研究所�
The study, conducted by Lions Gate Consulting, shows the club害羞草研究所檚 operations and events bring critical dollars to local hotels, restaurants and equipment shops.
In the 2022-23 season alone, four major events 害羞草研究所� including two BC Winter Games events 害羞草研究所� drew 993 non-local participants. With stays of three-to-five nights, that translates to 5,115 害羞草研究所榩erson nights害羞草研究所� in Vernon accommodations, and that害羞草研究所檚 on top of spending at restaurants and ski shops.
On those huge event days or just busy 害羞草研究所榖luebird害羞草研究所� days when many of the club害羞草研究所檚 2,800 local members are out enjoying trails alongside visitors, the aging Sovereign Day Lodge quickly overflows. It was built in 1993 and offers just 4,154 square feet of floor space. Flores says having the numbers from the economic impact study will help make the case for a new day lodge.
害羞草研究所淲e have the best conditions and if we had the lodge to match, in addition to serving locals, we could be hosting national races and world championships. How exciting would that be for our community?害羞草研究所�
The study concluded that building a new day lodge could generate an additional $4 million in labour income, 37 person-year jobs and $712,000 in taxes during construction.
With outstanding high-elevation snow conditions and world-class grooming, Canada害羞草研究所檚 largest cross-country ski club already attracts ski teams from across the continent for training 害羞草研究所� as well as more and more ski tourists.
害羞草研究所淛ust the other day I gave a trail map to a woman from Austria and she was taking it back to her cousin, who is coming here in April for the Sovereign 2 SilverStar Marathon,害羞草研究所� says Wendy Shannon, general manager. 害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 an event people have come to love. For others, it害羞草研究所檚 the top-notch grooming.害羞草研究所�
In November and December 2023 alone, the club saw 1,043 tickets (day and packs) and 198 season passes purchased by non-locals 害羞草研究所� creating $90,421 in revenue. Among locals (anyone residing between West Kelowna and Salmon Arm), 433 tickets were purchased, and, between June and December, 1,462 season passes purchased 害羞草研究所� creating $613,030 in revenue.
Rising day ticket sales through the season also point to more tourists: 15,554 day tickets were sold in 2022-23 害羞草研究所� up from 13,835 the previous season and 8,891 in 2020-21. Total day visits (among all users) are also increasing: 48,744 last season, up from 48,106 in 2021-22. The 害羞草研究所楥OVID winter害羞草研究所� of 2020-21 saw exceptionally high day visits totaling 55,323 害羞草研究所� more than nearby provincial parks see in the busy summer season.
害羞草研究所淭hese numbers are also a reminder of our incredible local community outreach,害羞草研究所� says Flores, of the club害羞草研究所檚 mandate to promote an accessible and affordable winter activity for schools and families, and adaptative adventures for people with different abilities.
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