Vancouver Island Biosphere Centre Phase II Planning Study: Final Report 4.4.1 “Enlarged Community Park Zone” Table of Contents Option
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Vancouver Island Biosphere Centre Phase II Planning Study: Final Report Prepared for: Interpretive Centre Industrial Adjustment Service Committee Prepared by: the Tourism Company with Carl Bray & Associates Lees and Associates Consulting Ltd. March 2004 Acknowledgements Photos on cover, The completion of the Phase II Planning Study, clockwise from top: including the preparation of this report, was made possible through funding provided by • Cathedral Grove Human Resources Development Canada, and • Cameron Lake the Municipality of Parksville. • Horne Lake Caves The consultants were guided and assisted in Provincial Park undertaking the Phase II Planning Study tasks by the Interpretive Centre Industrial Adjustment Service Committee: • David Miller (deceased), Independent Chair • Greg Spears, Principal, Praxis: Performance Through People, Independent Chair • Melanie Goddard, City of Parksville, staff support • Fred Demmon, City of Parksville • Dr. Glen Jamieson, Mount Arrowsmith Biosphere Reserve Foundation • Julia Macdonald, former Mayor, City of Parksville • Joan Michel, Regional District of Nanaimo • Stewart Moore, Town of Qualicum Beach • Rick Roberts, Human Resources Development Canada • Rob Roycroft, CAO, City of Parksville page 2 the Tourism Company Vancouver Island Biosphere Centre Phase II Planning Study: Final Report 4.4.1 “Enlarged Community Park Zone” Table of Contents Option.................................................... 56 4.5 Functional Site Relationships ............. 57 1. Executive Summary............................... 5 4.5.1 No Land Acquisition Option (Exhibit 4- 16)........................................................... 57 2. Study Purpose & Objectives ................. 9 4.5.2 Land Acquisition Option A (Exhibit 4- 17)........................................................... 59 3. Heritage Resource Assessment .......... 11 4.5.3 Land Acquisition Option B (Exhbit 4- 3.1 Heritage Resources and Visitor 18)........................................................... 59 Experience............................................. 11 3.2 Potential Interpretive Centre Messages 5. Development Concept......................... 63 and Programs ....................................... 11 5.1 Visitor Types......................................... 63 3.2.1 Introduction .......................................... 11 5.1.1 Tourists.................................................. 63 3.2.2 Interpretive Themes and Storylines .. 13 5.1.2 Residents ............................................... 65 3.3 Heritage Resource Inventory and 5.2 Visitor Rainbow ................................... 66 Assessment............................................ 15 5.3 Potential Development Concepts ...... 68 3.3.1 Heritage Resource Inventory.............. 15 5.4 Preferred Development Concept....... 69 3.3.2 Heritage Resource Assessment .......... 20 5.4.1 Facility Size & Configuration ............. 70 3.4 Summary of Visitor Experience 5.4.2 Exhibit Area.......................................... 70 Opportunities ....................................... 35 5.4.3 Auditorium ........................................... 71 3.4.1 A Combination of Natural and 5.4.4 Reception Area..................................... 71 Cultural Site Experiences.................... 35 5.4.5 Indoor Program Space......................... 71 3.4.2 Trail Links............................................. 35 5.4.6 Laboratory............................................. 71 3.4.3 Archaeology Discovery Tours............ 35 5.4.7 Research Library.................................. 71 3.4.4 Research Partnerships......................... 36 5.4.8 Retail ...................................................... 71 3.4.5 Biographies of Important Local People 5.4.9 Food & Beverage.................................. 71 ................................................................ 36 5.4.10 Administrative Offices........................ 71 5.4.11 On-Site Programs & Events................ 71 4. Sites Assessment.................................. 39 5.4.12 Offsite-Programs & Events................. 72 4.1 Site Assessment Criteria...................... 39 5.4.13 Estimated Development Cost............. 72 4.2 Potential Sites........................................ 40 5.4.14 Operating Season................................. 72 4.3 Application of Site Assessment Criteria 5.4.15 Attendance Target............................... 72 ................................................................ 42 5.4.16 Average Length of Stay On- Site ........... 4.4 Recommended Site – Community Park ................................................................ 73 Zone ....................................................... 56 5.4.17 Overarching Considerations.............. 73 Vancouver Island Biosphere Centre Phase II Planning Study: Final Report the Tourism Company page 3 6. Funding Strategy.................................. 75 6.1 Funding Options.................................. 75 6.1.1 General Funding Approach................ 75 6.1.2 “Giving Triangle”................................. 76 6.1.3 Potential Funding Sources .................. 76 6.2 Recommended Funding Strategy ...... 80 6.2.1 Overall Approach................................. 80 6.2.2 Funding Strategy.................................. 80 7. Governance ........................................... 83 7.1 Introduction .......................................... 83 7.2 Governance Structure Principles........ 83 7.3 Governance Structure .......................... 84 7.3.1 Membership Level................................ 84 7.3.2 Strategic Planning and Management Level....................................................... 86 7.3.3 Operational Level................................. 86 8. Economic Benefits ................................ 89 8.1 Direct, Indirect and Induced Economic Benefits................................................... 89 8.1.1 Direct Benefits....................................... 89 8.1.2 Indirect Benefits.................................... 90 8.1.3 Induced Benefits................................... 90 9. Appendix A: Sources .......................... 91 9.1 References.............................................. 91 9.2 Personal Contacts ................................. 91 9.3 Concept Development Workshop Attendees............................................... 92 9.4 Documents Reviewed.......................... 92 9.5 Websites Reviewed.............................. 93 10. Appendix B: Study Work Plan .......... 95 page 4 the Tourism Company Vancouver Island Biosphere Centre Phase II Planning Study: Final Report 1. Executive Summary to operate on a financially self-sufficient basis. However, given the compelling nature of the attraction concept that is taking shape, there is Conclusions every reason to believe that VIBC’s revenue generating capacity will be high. Certainly its The proposed Vancouver Island Biosphere economic contributions to the regional Centre (VIBC) continues to emerge as a economy will be substantial and provide potential world class attraction for the further incentive to continue the current Parksville-Qualicum Beach area. After planning process with the development of a completion of this Phase Two Planning Study business plan. it is apparent to the consultants that there are many key assets within the study area to Armed with a preliminary concept design, a support the development and operation of the more precise estimate of development costs VIBC including: and projections of expected operating revenues and expenses – all elements of a • an exceptionally rich and diverse inventory business plan -- proponents of the VIBC will of natural and cultural heritage resources; be better equipped to demonstrate the • an ideal site area in a high profile part of project’s viability and solicit commitments of Parksville; and, financial support. • strong consensus and support for an attraction concept that blends uniqe site Study Purpose and Objectives attributes and engaging exhibits, amenities The aim of the VIBC project is to promote and programs with exceptional off-site regional economic development and programming opportunities. conservation through tourism. The specific Acquiring the necessary financial resources to objectives of this Phase II Study, whose build the required central facility will require purpose is to identify the most appropriate the resolute implementation of a multi-layered direction and actions to move the project strategy comprising local fundraising, forward, include: partnerships, and contributions from all levels • Further definition of the vision of the VIBC; of government. • Recommend a preferred site; It remains to be determined through a future • Refinement of potential funding; business planning process the extent to which • Recommend a governance structure; and, commercially generated revenues will need to be augmented to ensure that the VIBC is able Vancouver Island Biosphere Centre Phase II Planning Study: Final Report the Tourism Company page 5 • Quantify potential economic benefits of the proximity to other traffic generators, project. neighbouring property, and parking. One site, the Parksville Community Park Zone, Heritage Resource Assessment emerged as the clear favourite (with a score of 37.5 of a maximum 39) and was endorsed by An assessment of potential natural and attendees of the Concept Development cultural heritage resources within the study Workshop convened in December 2003. area that could provide a foundation for the VIBC’s visitor experiences