CARCROSS – Carcross residents celebrated the completion of the community's waterfront revitalization project Monday afternoon, on Golden Spike Day.

The waterfront revitalization venture was launched in 2005 through the Canada Strategic Infrastructure Fund. The federal and territorial governments invested more than $6.7 million in the projects.

Ottawa also committed up to $20 million for other Yukon waterfront revitalization projects through the same fund.

"This revitalization project is helping put the spotlight on Carcross as a visitor destination in the territory, and as minister of Tourism and Culture, having Carcross as a key visitor destination is very important to me,” Mike Nixon said during the celebration.

"This new infrastructure helps to attract and keep visitors in the community and bring new opportunities and add economic benefits to the community, all enhancing the destination Carcross.”

The revitalization included 10 projects over two phases since 2005.

Phase one included the construction of a pedestrian bridge, the Bennett Lake viewing deck, a carving facility and a boat launch and dock.

Phase two included the creation of the gateway pavilion, visitor washrooms, downtown road works and landscaping and the S.S. Tutshi memorial.

The historic vessel was destroyed by fire 23 years ago last Thursday. The cause was never officially determined.

The projects were chosen for two reasons, Nixon told the small crowd outside the White Pass depot.

"First to help Carcross showcase its historical importance as a key point en route to the Klondike Gold Rush and secondly to celebrate the incredible culture and heritage of the Carcross-Tagish First Nation.”

Chief Danny Cresswell noted these projects have been in the works for sometime. Several of them were even thought up 30-odd years

ago.

Although, the chief joked, the toughest thing about the whole undertaking was the scenery.

"It took a couple million years to get it just perfect here,” Cresswell said.

"Once that was in place, then we knew we had something; we could start building.”

It was just a few months ago that the First Nation opened the Carcross Commons, but the community isn't done yet.

Cresswell noted there are plans to construct a community hall and a camping area, with the intention of hosting conferences and potlatches.

Yukon MP Ryan Leef reiterated his government's commitment to community infrastructure projects. He also congratulated all those involved in the Carcross waterfront revitalization for a job well done.

"Investing in public infrastructure projects like the Carcross revitalization project contributes to building strong, sustainable and healthy communities.”

Leef also took the opportunity to make a few comments about Golden Spike Day.

"I couldn't think of a better day to celebrate the completion of a wonderful infrastructure project that showcases this beautiful community than today, during Spike day festival,” the MP said.

"On July 29, 1900, the White Pass and Yukon railroad was completed with the driving of the last spike, the golden spike.

"Today we commemorate the completion and celebrate its 113th birthday,” he said.

Carcross was the site of a major celebration of the railway's 100th birthday in July 2000.