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Trails BC Secures Funding to Complete Cranbrook to Wardner Trail by July 1 2017

Trails BC Secures Funding to Complete Cranbrook to Wardner Trail by July 1 2017

From an article in  East Kootenay Online News June 10th

Trails BC is pleased to announce that funding has been secured for Phase 3 and the completion of the Cranbrook to Wardner Trans Canada Trail project. 

At a ceremony on Wednesday, June 8th at one of the current work sites off Ha Ha Road, an announcement was made by multiple funding partners. 

The Trans Canada Trail (TCT) — represented by Sarah Meunier, TCT Trail Coordinator, British Columbia — confirmed that TCT will provide $263, 000 in funding to the project.

 “We are thrilled to contribute to the realization of this beautiful section of Canada’s Great Trail,” said Deborah Apps, TCT President & CEO. “Our volunteers and partners working on the Cranbrook to Wardner Trans Canada Trail are creating a world-class destination Trail, and we are proud to count it as part of our national network.”

Columbia Basin Trust is contributing $220,000 to the Trail through its new Recreation Infrastructure Grants program.

“Our recreation infrastructure grants fund projects that support residents to lead healthy lifestyles,” said Neil Muth, Columbia Basin Trust President and Chief Executive Officer. “We are proud to support this community trail as we know it will be well-travelled by locals and visitors alike.”

 The Regional District of East Kootenay was represented by Board Chair Rob Gay who was on hand to announce $50K from the RDEK’s Community Works Fund\

The Cranbrook to Wardner Trail is a tremendous asset for the region,” says RDEK Board Chair Rob Gay “Supporting the development of recreational trails is a cornerstone of our regional sustainability strategy and we are proud to provide this funding for Phase 3.”

RSTBC of the BC Ministry of Forestry, Lands, Natural Operations was represented by Rockies District Recreation Officer Lisa Cox who confirmed a $50k contribution from the province. 

Trails BC director and trail project team lead Al Skucas says, “These significant funding developments will allow us to finish the great work that has already been done over the last two years. We are already looking forward to a celebration event upon project completion next year.”

Phase 3 will see resurfacing of rail trail for 3 kms from Ha Ha road to Steamboat Hill as well as improvements to Cranbrook City owned rail corridor of up to 4.5 km.  17kms section of new trail on the Mayook section started last year will be completed.  A short section of 1.4km of new trail within Highway 3 ROW will also be built near Wardner. 

The overall budget of the project over the three phases will be $1.35 million when done. 

As a rustic and scenic complement to the already popular NorthStar Rails to Trails, the 40+ km trail will enhance outdoor recreational opportunities for the regional communities as well as serve to make the area a popular destination for trail users

The trail will be complete in time for Canada’s 150th Anniversary of Confederation on July 1st of 2017 which also coincides with the Trans Canada Trail’s vison of having the national trail connected by then. 

 

In the photo from Left to Right , Sarah Meunier TCT BC Coordinator, Al Skucas, Rick Allen-CBT Special Initiatives Manager Neil Shuttleworth-Project Manager, Rob Gay-Chair of the Regional District of East Kootenay, Lisa Cox-RSTBC Recreation Officier Rockies Forestry District

Cranbrook to Wardner Trail Development Started

Cranbrook to Wardner Trail Development Started

by Sally MacDonald – Cranbrook Daily Townsman
posted Jun 12, 2014 at 5:26 PM
Work has begun on a new section of the Trans Canada Trail between Cranbrook and Wardner.
The crushed gravel surfaced trail will follow the Isadore Canyon trail to Mayook, then continue along
an abandoned rail corridor to Wardner Provincial Park beside the Kootenay River, with a bypass
around private land in Mayook.
A connector trail will link the Cranbrook to Wardner trail with the rest stop on Highway 3 in Mayook
known as the Ramparts Lake rest area.
The project is being led by trail enthusiasts in the community, said Al Skucas, a Cranbrook-based
Trails BC director.
"It's a grassroots movement. With this kind of major project, there is normally some level of
government handling this. But this is grassroots and it's important to engage volunteers and
community partners."
A special committee of Cranbrook, Kimberley, Wardner and Mayook residents is working on
developing the trail.
With funding from Trans Canada Trail, a feasibility study has been conducted by volunteer trail
supporters to design the trail and undertake engineering drawings for small bridges and cattleguards.
Columbia Basin Trust is contributing to the project through the Community Initiatives program.
The Trans Canada Trail Foundation will provide significant funding, but that depends on a higher
level of community support.
“Although we have not reached this year’s goal of $90,000 of matching funding, we are hoping with
the support of our local communities and support groups that those additional funds can be raised,”
said Skucas.
A team of volunteers from the Kootenay Orienteering Club began the first work on the Cranbrook to
Wardner trail last week.
On Wednesday, June 4, the trail enthusiasts walked the trail from the Isadore Canyon trailhead to
Pritchard Road, placing flags along the trail’s route.
“It’s an important first step to evaluate the whole project,” said Skucas.
The trail has been broken down into three phases over three years.
In phase one, which is set to take shape this year, the rail grade on Crown land will be improved and
resurfaced from Cranbrook’s north-eastern edge to Pritchard Road. The connector trail to Ramparts
Lake rest stop will also be built.
In phase two, the rail grade from Ha Ha Creek Road to Wardner will be resurfaced.
Phase three, in 2016, will see the Mayook bypass completed and final completion of the trail.
Once the Cranbrook to Wardner trail is complete, and the Rotary Way connector from the strip to the
North Star Rails to Trails at McPhee Road is also complete, it will be possible to travel 70 kilometres
from Kimberley to Cranbrook along the Rails to Trails, connect past the Cranbrook Chamber of
Commerce, and onto the Cranbrook to Wardner trail to the Kootenay River.
The Trans Canada Trail Foundation is pleased to see work begin on this section of trail, said Gay
Decker, director of communications.
“We have this bold 2017 goal to complete our trail in time for the 150th anniversary of Canadian
confederation. So seeing that our trail partners are in the process of creating new sections of trail
emboldens us,” she said.
The Trans Canada Trail has always been a grassroots project, Decker went on.
“We wouldn’t have this trail without community support and community involvement."