Department of Community Services

Carcross Waterfront Planning

Last year, the Yukon Government submitted an application to the Canada Strategic Infrastructure Fund to access federal matching funding for waterfront improvements in Carcross.

In January, the Yukon and Canadian governments jointly announced that Carcross would benefit from a $3-million investment in waterfront improvements, with each government contributing $1.5 million. While the details of the final application remain to be negotiated, the project was approved in principle.

Since then, the Yukon Government has solicited input from the First Nation, CAAPC, the Southern Lakes Chamber of Commerce and other community groups. The input received, combined with the parameters set out in the original CSIF application, was used to develop a very broad conceptual plan. That plan was presented at the recent Carcross Summit and again at the April 12th CAAPC meeting. The presentation is the starting point for direct community consultations.
The plan can be viewed by clicking on the thumbnail images further down on this page.

Next Steps…
Before going forward with a finalized application and plan, the Yukon Government is looking for direct input from Carcross residents.

To ensure everybody has a chance to have their say, static displays have been set up in Carcross at the Isabelle Pringle Community Library. Questionnaires are also available at the library.

This web site has also been set up. Besides background information, you will find an Online Form [1.4MB ] that can be easily submitted with the click of a mouse.

The Yukon Government will be soliciting input from May 1st until June 15.

After compiling all of the input, the results will be used for project planning and prioritization, with construction expected to begin no later than Spring 2006.

What we need from you…
Before we go forward with any projects, the Yukon Government wants to make sure that the community has its say in what projects are most important and which areas the spending should be focused on.

To do that, we need as much specific information as we can get. The on line questionnaire has been designed to give us the information we need in as a compact a form as possible.

Please take the time to fill out that form and return it by the May 31st deadline. It can be easily printed off and mailed in or submitted with the click of a mouse.

Also, take the opportunity to talk with your neighbors and friends about the waterfront project. The more discussion that occurs and the more responses we receive, the more likely it is that the waterfront will reflect the needs and wants of Carcross residents.

The Presentation…
Clicking on the image will take you to specific pages

   The Waterfront

Carcross is a community rich in history. That history sits at the core of any waterfront plan. The question we all need to consider is how to accurately represent that history, while reinvigorating a waterfront for all residents, businesses and visitors.

These images are intended as inspiration. What do you think of when you imagine Carcross’ reinvigoration waterfront? Is it a place primarily for families? Or tourists? Or both? And how do we invest the $3 million to make the community’s vision a reality.

Take a look at the other images, which provide more detail on the possibilities, and keeping your own expectations in mind, tell us what you see as the most important elements of any waterfront refurbishment.

After we have your input, we can work to cost out those requests and develop a final plan that balances community views and infrastructure needs.

   The Community

This map shows an aerial image of Carcross with some planning elements overlaid in colored lines. The color of the dotted lines correspond to one of the five elements detailed to the left of the map image.

These five areas of focus – Main Street Reconstruction, Downtown Servicing and Roadway Upgrades, Trails/Accesses/Docks and Footbridge, Putting Our Best Face Forward, and Preserving and Interpreting Our Shared History – represent the five general areas up for discussion. Under each area of focus, there is an array of options to spend the waterfront funding on. You may have your own ideas about how to beautify Carcross or improve the entrance. That’s what we want to hear – your ideas about your own community.

With funding already set at $3 million, we will not be possible to do all of the things listed on this map.

We need your input to help us prioritize the possible projects, so that the funding is spent in the areas. Do you think trails and docks are the most important elements? Or, would you rather see money spent on upgrading roads and landscaping streets? And once you’ve identified the areas that you think should be focused on, what specific projects would you like to see funded from this fund? Is it the walk bridge? Or the Tutshi? Or road improvements, like resurfacing?

Take the time to look at the map and walk around the community with these five areas in mind. Then provide your feedback through this web site.

   The Priorities

Now for the hard part.

The previous pages have been about hopes and expectations. This page is about making the tough choices that will lead to some projects going forward and others being left behind.

The color pie charts above have been divided into color-coded sections that match the color-coded areas listed to the left of the charts and on the previous page. What we need to know is which chart best reflects your priorities for spending the available funding?

Do you want to see a heavy focus on long-term infrastructure? Or should government focus on beautifying the town and preserving the historic structures? Perhaps you would rather see equal attention paid to all areas.
Or maybe you have your own funding plan.

Whatever the case, review the options above and then provide your input through the on-line form.

How to reach us…

Submit the Online Form [1.4MB ] or

Send an email to: Carcross.Waterfront@gov.yk.ca