Formerly known as Fort Fraser, the Village of Fraser Lake was founded in 1914 when the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway came to the area. The railway opened the area to logging, ranching, agriculture and mining. The Village of Fraser Lake is known as the "White Swan Capital of the World"

The Village of Fraser Lake, while possessing many postive attributes, is looking at ways of diversifying its economy and creating new business, investment and employment opportunities. The Village is a picturesque community of about 1,400 people with an area population of about 2,000.

The following information has been provided by the Village of Fraser Lake. Passages in italics are direct quotes.

The following is the vision of the Fraser lake area in 20 years:

• a stable and diversfied economy
• a vibrant family oriented community with an exceptional quality of life
• an attractive place for private enterprise and investment
• a resource based economy of forestry, tourism and mining activity foresrtry actvity diversified into value added manufaturing and forest management
• a tourism destination with year round actvity
• an entrepreneurial culture with strong small business sector
• a retirement haven

The Action

The Village of Fraser Lake has produced two main documents outlining their community revitalization strategies. These include:

(1) Fraser Lake Lakefront Enhancement Project
(2) Village of Fraser Lake Economic Development Plan
Produced by Urban Systems Ltd. (April, 1998)

Village of Fraser Lake

North-West Corridor Development Corporation page for Fraser Lake

Fraser Lake Lakefront Enhancement Project

Background
The Village of Fraser Lake is a small community situated on the south shore of 14 mile long Fraser Lake. The waterfront was, up until about 20 years ago, the site of a sawmill. The sawmill has since been bought and moved outside the village, but is still an integral part of the community.

Six years ago, White Swan Park was developed, with various sources of funding and a huge amount of community support and effort. This park provides a swimming beach and picnic area on the lake. The park, built adjacent to the old sawmill site is popular to both the residents of Fraser Lake and to the tourists throughout the summer. Unfortunately, at the time that White Swan Lake was built, funding restrictions prevented the community from extending the park all the way along the old mill site.

Project Goals
To mark the milllennium, the Village of Fraser Lake would like to finish this project and turn the area adjacent to White Swan Park into park land as well. The goal for Canada Day 2000 is to light up the lake front along a walkway which will connect the existing park to the boat launch. The Lakefront Enhancement Project has several components and would be phased over an 18 month period.

Specific Physical Project Goals:

• Walkway along lakefront from beach area to boat launch.
  
• Benches along this walkway to provide pleasant places to sit and look at the lake.
  
• Cleanup of the area adjacent to White Swan Park.
  
• Creation of outdoor ampitheatre, using the fill presently on the site.
  
• Landscaping of Park Drive.
  
• Picnic gazebo at White Swan Park, with BBQ.
  
• Children's water park at White Swan Park.
  
• Attractive dusk to dawn lights along the lakefront walkway.
  
• Interpretive signs along the walkway with history of sawmill, information about Red Rock Mountain, legend of Mouse Mountain etc.
  
• Creation of a breakwater at the site of the old pier.

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Village of Fraser Lake Economic Development Plan

Located on the shores of Fraser Lake in the Central Interior of British Columbia, it has good tranportation access, being served by both the Yellowhead Highway (Route 16) and the Canadian National Railway. Despite these positive features Fraser Lake remains dependent on forestry and mining. The future of these industries is uncertain, particularly considering the forecast closures of the Endako Mine in about 10 years time. Given these challenges, there was a growing realization that the community had to become more proactive in charting its own future. To this end, Village Council decided that the best way to begin to encourage new business and investment opportunities was to create an Economic Development Plan.

Economic Development Planning Process
The process of developing the Economic Develoment Plan involved local citizens in setting their own vision. From this vision realistic goals, strategies and action plans were redeveloped. Critical appraisal of Fraser Lake's situation was conducted, as well as a broad evaluation of the area's strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. Key issue areas were identified and Strategic Focus Areas for the Plan determined. The Economic Development Plan sets a course for local actions in economic development over the next 5 years, and will form the basis for an "active" Economic Development Program. The Plan sets out the "Vision for the Future", Strategic Focus Areas (i.e. priorities) and goals, strategies, and action plans within the priority areas.

Components of the Plan

• Organization
• Communications and Marketing
• Forestry
• Tourism
• Entreprenuership and Small Business Development
• Infrastructure

The top five community revitalization strategies for success and economic impact in Fraser Lake:

1. Begin a Marketing Program.
2. Develop the Fraser Lake Waterfront.
3. Develop South Side of Highway 16.
4. Retain and Expand Exisiting Forestry Operations.
5. Establish a Small Business Task Force and Build an Entrepreneurial Culture.

Contact the Community: