Mandate - to provide long term economic benefits through recreation opportunities by:

• encourage Canadians and other peoples of the world to explore our vast country and its natural and cultural diversity

• support a sustainable environment and new ways of showing our respect for nature while we progress as a leading economy.

Geographical location

Tree Farm Licence 39 Block 1, Upper Sunshine Coast. It is located within a two hour drive from Powell River along major logging roads.

Description

This project will see the co-operative development of an area located on Tree Farm Licence 39 Block 1 into a world class backcountry recreation area. The developments will be available year round with higher user numbers occurring in the winter months with backcountry skiing and snowshoeing being the primary draws to the area. Three cabins will be located  within two to four hours of each other. The cabins will be small alpine huts of 320 square ft with a loft for sleeping.

The Knuckleheads project area is surrounded by old logging roads, most of which have completely grown over with alder. These abundant old roads and their varying slopes, direction and terrain provide potential for future cross-country trails suitable for all ages and abilities. This project will clear these old roads and develop new trails to link the existing old logging roads.

The deserted site of an old community downhill ski facility still exists with the old tow shack have been converted to a cabin by volunteers with co-operation from the Ministry of Forests. The proposed development will tie into the existing facility and be maintained by the volunteers committed to the Knuckleheads Winter Recreation Area.

Three high elevation lakes are located in the project area - Alpha, Beta Gamma. These are alpine lakes, each less than 400 metres long and are completely frozen between December and February. The Beta Lake Trail has been used for alpine hiking and viewing since 1981. This project will have a new trail developed to link into this area. One cabin will be located overlooking Beta Lake.

This proposal was created jointly with the Sunshine Coast Forest District; Industrial Woodworkers Association, Local 2171; Sliammon First Nations, The Knuckleheads Winter Recreation Association and Stillwater Logging Division of Weyerhauser. This project complements the Ministry of Forests Recreation Department's and Weyerhauser's mandate of managing the forest recreation resource in conjunction with the user groups involved. The area is presently co-managed by the Ministry of Forests, Weyerhauser and the Knuckleheads Winter Recreation Association. 

This project will provide lasting benefits to the community by offering a backcountry recreation area that is easily accessible to both locals and tourists. This project will provide spin-offs to the community by offering another tourist destination in the Powell River area complimenting the Powell Forest Canoe Route, Desolation Sound Marine Park, Copeland Island Marine Park, the maze of forest trails and many natural features of the area.

The results of the project shall be measured by the completion of the construction of the facilities and trail development. User statistics shall be collected by providing user registration diaries at each of the cabins and warming huts. The success of the project will be the gainful employment of a group of individuals for the duration of the project as well as the development of an excellent forest recreation area. The benefits to the community will only be realized in the future with increased forest recreation and increased tourist numbers in the community.

The project will be promoted through local Cable Ten television, in the local newspapers, through publications via the Powell River Visitors' Bureau as well as on the Internet through a number of web pages. Once the project is complete, a grand opening celebration would be held.