Apply to the Beach Infrastructure Program

Tourism PEI is again providing grants up to a maximum of $5,000 to be used towards upgrading public beach infrastructure across Prince Edward Island. This grant provides a non-repayable contribution intended to enhance the user experience and safety on beaches along our province's beautiful coastline.

 In 2023, 10 non-profit organizations accessed funds for improvements to their respective beaches. Due to the positive response, funding is renewed for projects, such as: 

• purchase/construction of waste sorting stations;
• waste removal costs;
• portable washroom rentals (including waste removal and cleaning);
• construction of permanent washrooms;
• construction/maintenance of parking areas;
• purchase and installation of bike racks;
• beach access improvements such as pathways, boardwalks, steps, beach mats, beach wheelchairs, parking areas, etc.;
• labour performed at arm’s length from the applicant, to undertake maintenance related issues such as boardwalk repairs, grass cutting, parking lot scraping, etc.;
• signage such as welcome signs, no littering, no overnight parking, etc.; 
• safety equipment such as life rings, rope, etc;
• and other projects that will enhance the beach user experience.

Eligibility

Who is eligible for the Tourism PEI Beach Infrastructure Program?

The following organizations may be eligible to receive provincial financial assistance towards upgrading public beach infrastructure across PEI:

• towns / communities / municipalities;
• provincial watershed groups;
• harbour authorities;
• non-profit development corporations;
• regional tourism associations and destination management associations; and
• registered not-for-profit organizations.

What beaches are eligible?

Any beach area that is accessible to the public via a provincially recognized right of way (road). All beaches must have public parking spaces available. 

What types of expenses are eligible?

• purchase/construction of waste sorting stations;
• waste removal costs;
• portable washroom rentals (including waste removal and cleaning);
• construction of permanent washrooms;
• construction/maintenance of parking areas;
• purchase and installation of bike racks;
• beach access improvements such as pathways, boardwalks, steps, beach mats, beach wheelchairs, parking areas, etc.;
• labour performed by a source at arm’s length from the applicant, to undertake maintenance related issues such as boardwalk repairs, grass cutting, parking lot scraping, etc.;
• signage such as welcome signs, no littering, no overnight parking, etc.;
• safety equipment and signage such as life rings, rope, etc. (all eligible safety equipment must be certified);
• other projects that will enhance the beach user experience, as approved by the program review committee;
• only one application per organization will be considered; and
• one organization may apply for upgrades to multiple beaches, up to maximum of $5,000 in total funding.

All transactions must be completed between two parties operating at arm’s length.

NOTE: All applicants will be responsible to obtain any required environmental permits required by the Province of Prince Edward Island along with any other permits that may be required by provincial government, municipality, town or community. Permits must be submitted to the Tourism PEI contact listed below, before the project begins.

Application Process

How does the funding application process work?

Applications must be filled out online and approved applications will be funded on a first-come, first-serve basis.

• maximum grant will be $5,000;
• if a project is completed under budget, the Beach Infrastructure Program will cover only eligible expenses incurred;
• improvements should be completed by June 1, 2024 and all invoicing must precede the date of completion;
• applicants may apply for improvements to multiple beaches with the same application ($5,000 maximum);
• applicant must illustrate how the improvement project will be managed and maintained;
• Tourism PEI will provide up to 50% of the approved funding upon approval of the project’s application;
• the remaining 50 % will be released pending the approval of a final report confirming that the approved project is complete. The final report must be submitted by September 1, 2024 and include the following:
  • description of the improvements made and how the beach user experience will be enhanced;
  • before and after pictures of the project; and
  • invoices and proof of payment for eligible expenses up to the maximum amount approved.

Where do you get the application form?

A link to the online application can be found at the bottom of this page.

What information does the application require?

Be prepared to complete the following information as part of the online application:

• contact information for organization;
• beach name and civic location;
• describe the provincially recognized right of way that the public uses to gain access to this beach area;
• describe the location and number of parking spaces in relation to the beach;
• provide complete details of improvements that will be completed with funding from the Tourism PEI Beach Program (2000 character limit);
• provide details on how this improvement project will be managed and maintained;
• upload a file of the complete budget for the project;
• additional comments (2000 character limit); and
• all the above must be submitted for each beach, if multiple beaches are applicable.

What is the application deadline?

Applications closed March 15, 2024

Contact

For more information or to discuss your project, contact:

Trent Birt
Tourism PEI
Email: tcbirt@gov.pe.ca
Phone: 902-620-3126