Visitor Centre ownership moves to the CVRD

The Comox Valley Regional District has taken another step towards ending its relationship with the Comox Valley Economic Development Society.

The two organizations have signed an agreement to transfer ownership of the Visitor Centre off the connector over to the RD, at the end of August. The RD is going to assume the Tourism Vancouver Island contract until December 31st, though it hasn’t said what happens after that. 

The TVI contract manages the Visitor Centre, as well as marketing and promotion of tourism to the Comox Valley. 

Staff continues to work through final details of the transfer of assets, including the Snowbirds Tutor Jet, and the Welcome to Comox Valley highway sign.

CVEDS was formed in 1988 and provided economic development services to the Comox Valley including tourism and visitor services since inception. The Vancouver Island Visitor Centre, including the Snowbirds Tutor jet, was an initiative that CVEDS undertook for the community. 

In a jointly issued news release, the organizations say “…This transition of tourism and visitor services delivery builds on the years of work that CVEDS provided to the community and indicates the ever evolving and changing needs of the Comox Valley.  

Earlier in 2021, the CVRD Board chose to terminate the contract for services with CVEDS, and begin a service review of the CVRD’s economic development service. The service review is ongoing and will determine the future of economic development, tourism and visitor services in the Comox Valley. As well, the review will look at how the service may be funded through local and provincial funding opportunities. More information on review results and next steps will be communicated in the coming months.”

An update on the transition away from CVED was presented to the CVRD Board August 5th. 

For more information on economic development in the Comox Valley visit www.comoxvalleyrd.ca/ecdev

The Comox Valley Regional District is a federation of three electoral areas and three municipalities providing sustainable services for residents and visitors to the area. The members of the regional district work collaboratively on services for the benefit of the diverse urban and rural areas of the Comox Valley.