Slocan Lake
Slocan Valley and Nakusp residents as well as local governments have told us that high-speed Internet is important to them. In addition, both the Province of BC and the Government of Canada have identified many communities in the Slocan Valley as being underserved and unable to meet the CRTC’s universal service objective of 50Mbps (per subscriber).
To improve connectivity, local governments and the Trust are partnering with the Province of BC to extend a fibre optic backbone network into the Slocan Valley to serve as a high-speed launching point for Internet Service Providers wishing to offer their services to residents or businesses in the area.
In partnership with the Regional District of Central Kootenay and the Villages of Slocan, Silverton, New Denver and Nakusp, the Trust is planning to build a fibre optic backbone between Playmor Junction and Shoreholme, just north of Nakusp. The proposed network will connect to the existing regional network passing by Playmour Junction and will have Points of Presence (POPs) in Playmour Junction and the Villages of Slocan, Silverton, New Denver, Nakusp and Shoreholme. Note: there are also PoPs being planned for Slocan Park, Passmore, Winlaw, Lemon Creek.
This project has received funding from the Province through the Connecting BC program, the Regional District of Central Kootenay, Village of Nakusp, Village of Slocan, the Village of Silverton and the Village of New Denver, as well as the Trust. Read More.
The project will use a variety of installation methods including underground, marine and aerial. Regardless of methodology, the Trust will employ best practice techniques to minimize or eliminate impacts to people, residents, wildlife and the environment.
Key Dates
Target dates are approximate and may be updated throughout the project.
- Significant progress occurred over the summer in term of receiving permits for the rail trail and the lakes. Archaeological work has commenced on the rail trail and landing sites. This work is necessary to prepare for the upcoming 2021 construction season.
- The key factor influencing timing is project permitting, but environmental and habitat considerations are also a factor, and some permits remain outstanding for portions of the planned build. CBBC continues to actively work with permitting agencies.
- As a result of the permitting timeline, construction is expected to start Summer 2021, and overall project completion goal is by March 2023.
