The Mayor of Clearwater says he thinks his community will make it out okay this year from a tourism standpoint.

Merlin Blackwell says like many provincial parks, Wells Gray Park is booming this year.

“We are feeling kind of fortunate that we are doing better than a lot of places are, considering that we were basically 50 per cent dependent on European travellers for the visitation for Wells Gray and quite a lot of these activities,” he said. “We are doing okay, we’re going to survive this one.”

“The fact that we are treading water or better is quite good for Clearwater.”

Blackwell says if there’s anyone who might feel some impacts because of COVID-19, it is the adventure tourism companies that operate in the Clearwater area.

“We’ve got fantastic whitewater rafting and kayaking up here. The paragliding company, we have the horseback tourism and things like that – those people with additional services are where the gap is at this point,” he noted.

“Everywhere else, between Trans Mountain workers and BCers just absolutely enjoying the outdoors this year, they’re doing okay.”

And Blackwell says things could get even busier in the community of about 2,500 people when as many as 800 Trans Mountain pipeline workers descend into town for about two-and-a-half years, starting next month.