Hun City Bike Club and the Cariboo Mountain Bike Consortium representatives appeared before the District of 100 Mile House council April 26 in hopes of securing support for their Mountain Bike Tourism Initiative in and around the 99 Mile bike park.
Consortium chair Justin Calof of Williams Lake spoke on behalf of the two groups, while club members Steve Law, Justin Guimond and Dwayne Chamberlain offered support during the PowerPoint presentation.
Calof said the strategic vision for the consortium and the bike club is to promote, maintain and develop the mountain bike experience in the Cariboo.
He noted the devastation of the mountain pine beetle and the negative impact it has had and will continue to have on the economy. Calof explained the goal is to assist in diversifying the local economy by increasing the jobs and dollars that an enhanced mountain bike industry could bring to the area.
Mountain biking is the fastest growing sector of the tourism economy in the British Columbia, Calof said, adding it's estimated that it will generate $1.8 million in this region annually.
He estimates that with construction of trails and specific biking areas along with marketing, there could be a 25 per cent growth rate within two years.
"The Cariboo is uniquely positioned due to its infrastructure and reputation."
Calof noted the Hun City Bike Club has already formed partnerships with the Cariboo Mountain Bike Consortium, as well as with the Cariboo-Chilcotin Beetle Action Committee, the Northern Development Initiative Trust and the Cariboo Regional District in an effort to aggressively market the area to the provincial, national and international mountain bike community.
The industry would not only provide jobs for the businesses that service mountain bikers directly, he said, adding it would also provide spin-off revenue and jobs for others in service-related industries.
"There's also the livability component to attract new young families ... doctors and other professionals who want to live in the communities that offer these types of opportunities."
Calof said the bike park, which was built by volunteer effort, is an anchor for the mountain bike experience that has been established and it needs maintenance and upgrading to make sure people are going to come to ride and keep coming back.
"We talked to a contractor who we worked with regionally and for around $4,700 the first year and $3,000 subsequently, this bike park can be maintained and enhanced over time."
He then asked if council was interested in receiving a formal proposal to enter some sort of partnership to get some support. They are asking the district to maintain the bike park until they can get on their feet; support trail infrastructure from the 99 Mile Ski Hill down to the bike park; and provide signage so people can see there is a mountain bike facility when they're driving into 100 Mile.
Calof added that once the consortium initiative is self-sustaining, the bike club is going to be able to take over the obligation to maintain the bike park.
During the question-and-answer session, Law said the intention is to provide a variety of trails from the ski hill.
"We'll have downhill, cross-country and recreation trails. So we'll have trails for everybody."
They are putting together a website, which will be launched in mid-May, to market the Cariboo mountain bike experience worldwide.
