Wayfinding Project Update Report

What is Wayfinding?

Wayfinding refers to the process of navigating and orienting oneself within an environment. It involves the use of visual cues, signage, landmarks, and other spatial information to help individuals understand and navigate a space effectively.
Although signage is a critical component, the importance of wayfinding goes beyond mere signage. Wayfinding also considers the broader context, and helps people navigate, appreciate, and connect with the cultural, historical, and geographical identity of a place.

One of the ways we hope to contribute to the Wayfinding of the Creston Valley-Kootenay Lake Area is with our Points of Interest directory.

Why is Wayfinding important?

Within community economic development, wayfinding plays a crucial role in the placemaking process. When communities engage in placemaking, they actively shape their public spaces to optimize shared value. This process of placemaking encourages inventive patterns of utilization, with a keen focus on the physical, cultural, and social characteristics that make a place unique.

What is the CV-KL Wayfinding Project?

The first phase of the CV-KL Wayfinding Project consisted of an assessment of existing wayfinding infrastructure and an identification of signage deficiencies. The Economic Action Partnership is now moving ahead with Phase 2 of the project, which consists of the conceptualization of a synergistic wayfinding brand that represents how our communities define themselves, and how they would like to market themselves to the outside world. Phase 3 of the project will entail the manufacture and installation of new pieces of signage across Creston Valley-Kootenay Lake. This work is supported by a $1 million grant from the Province of British Columbia’s Destination Development Fund.

Three Phase Project

Phase One

Assessment of current
infrastructure

Phase Two

Conceptualization and design of a new wayfinding brand

Phase Three

Manufacture, installation and
implementation.

Timeline of Project

2016 to 2018
Wayfinding Assessment and Needs- Gap Analysis Completed by EAP.
2016 to 2018
April 2022
EAP Committee identified continuation of Wayfinding Project as high priority.
April 2022
January 2023
Wayfinding Steering Committee struck to guide design of wayfinding concept. Members include representatives of ToC, Regional District, CV Tourism, NKLT Tourism, the Yaqan Nukiy Heritage Society, local tourism operators & community members.
January 2023
February 2023
$1 million in funding secured from Ministry of TACS through the Destination Development Fund.
February 2023
April 2023
Consultation with MOTI
April 2023
April 2023
Ion Design engaged for Wayfinding Project.
April 2023
June 2023
Extensive public consultation and stakeholder engagement completed. 2 inperson engagement sessions (Creston, Crawford Bay) 3 online sessions
June 2023
October 2023
Initial design concepts presented to Wayfinding Steering Committee. Feedback from the Committee used for refinement. Local artist, Carol Louie, contracted to provide artwork.
October 2023
October 2023
Stakeholders consulted on signage priorities: ToC, RD, Lower Kootenay Band, and Wayfinding Steering Committee.
October 2023
Consultation with MOTI and further consultation with local government, including Regional District, Town of Creston and Lower Kootenay Band.
May 2024
Wayfinding Steering Committee and Economic Action Partnership Committee selected design concept.
May 2024
Present Day
Currently in refinement stage of project, nearing completion of Phase 2.
Present Day

Wayfinding: Digital Map of Points of Interest in the CV-KL Area

Wayfinding: Booklet of Points of Interest in the CV-KL Area

Within the scope of the Wayfinding Project, it is our hope to provide outside travellers, tourists, and communities with up-to-date information on Points of Interest (POIs) across the Creston Valley-Kootenay Lake areas. This includes POIs such as hikes, parks, lakes, artisans, farms, wineries, entertainment, history, and more!

To do this, we have researched and put together a collection of POIs and have them here for easy access, in the form of a download-able and interactable PDF.