by
Lisa Stewart
The Westerly News
March 8, 2006
Fees for 2006 go into effect at Pacific Rim National Park Reserve this
Saturday and
also coming into effect is a new fee collection method.
When the park officially reopens March 11, fees will be collected on a per person basis instead of the former per vehicle basis - this is a move the national park's manager of business/client services says brings Pacific Rim into line with other national parks in Canada.
In a media release last week, Louanne Ralston said the new fees include a family group rate (up to seven people with a maximum of two adults) for $17.50 per day, $7 per adult or $6 per senior per day. The annual Pacific Rim passes, popular with local residents, will still be available - the family pass will cost $60 for the season, up from last season's $45 annual vehicle pass. A National Annual Pass is also available for those who will visit more than one national park or national historic site.
Day passes will be sold at the Pacific Rim Visitor Centre at the junction with new signs on HIghway 4 directing visitors to stop at the centre. Some parking lots in the park will still have ticket machines (but the machines do not accept cash). Some hotels and B&Bs are also selling day passes as well as the Wickaninnish Interpretative Centre, Green Point Campground, chamber offices in both towns, and the park administration building. Annual passes can be purchased at the same locations (but not from the machines or accommodation providers).
Ralston told the Westerly additional commissionaires will be hired to rove around the parking lots, along with national park revenue staff, to pass out brochures on the new fee structure and "help people choose the right option." The additional commissionaires working an extended season are expected to cost $44,000.
The move to the new fee structure is expected to bring additional revenue, but Ralston said it's too early to predict the actual increase in revenue from the move to the new fee system. "We really won't have a good indication until about the end of July. It is hoped that with the increased revenue the park will be able to begin implementation of a 12 month operation for the Pacific Rim Visitor Centre and the Wickaninnish Centre, bur the decision will not be made until August once the numbers are firm."
Ralston said the current revenue target is $1.8 million. This is a combined target from fees for the three units of the park (Long Beach, West Coast Trail, and Broken Group Islands) as well as gift store sales such as at the Wickaninnish Centre.
Fees collected at
the local park stay at the local park. "Over the next three years
the Wick Centre displays will be completley revamped." The current
interpretative displays are temporary. Fees will be also directed at improvement
to boardwalk infrastructure and replacement of fire pits and picnic tables
at Green Point Campground. Past fees have gone toward the new parking
area and day use access at Combers Beach and the visitor centre at the
Highway 4 junction.
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The Westerly News is published each Wednesday in Ucluelet. Phone: 250
726-7029
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