New trail section highlighted in light blue (Submitted photo/RDNO)

By Kevin Rothwell

Important trail connection

Predator Ridge trail connector grant approved

Feb 25, 2021 | 11:37 AM

Another piece of the puzzle in a growing North Okanagan trail inventory will go ahead this year following approval of a provincial grant.

Grant funding of $210,000 to complete the connection of the Okanagan Rail Trail (ORT) to Predator Ridge Resort has received approval.

The Regional District of North Okanagan (RDNO) approved a Greater Vernon Advisory Committee (GVAC) request in October 2020, to include the item in this year’s Greater Vernon Trails and Natural Spaces capital budget.

“The good thing is that we are getting a grant, that will complete a trail that will be available to the general public from Predator Ridge Resort down to the Okanagan Rail Trail,” GVAC chair Akbal Mund told Vernon Matters.

The funds will be used to construct a 1.3 km compacted gravel path 3 m wide from the Kal/Crystal Waters Trail above Kekuli Bay Provincial Park to Bailey Road west of Highway 97. To make this connection, staff have obtained a permit from the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure to utilize the existing wildlife/cattle underpass for the use of a recreational pathway.

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This trail connection will provide pedestrians and cyclists with a safe crossing of Highway 97. It will provide connectivity between the ORT, Kekuli Provincial Park, Kal/Crystal Waters Trail, Predator Ridge Trails and Ellison Provincial Park.

The construction phase will include the path, a 4.5 m extension of the existing underpass and an eight-foot page wire fence along the west boundary of the the trail to separate it from B.C. Wildfire Suppression Operations and out of the Bailey Road Seed Orchard.

The trail will cost about $13,000 a year to maintain.

“This is a key first step to connect the Okanagan Rail Trail to the Predator Ridge community, Sparkling Hills Resort, and their associated trail networks,” said Mund. “COVID-19 has highlighted the importance of our outdoor recreation amenities. Our trails are busier than ever, and investing in these types of trail connections will not only provide value to local residents but to visitors of our community when we can begin reopening.”

Trail design and permitting work will begin right away, with construction expected to start in late 2021.

The funds were part of the province’s Community Economic Recovery Infrastructure Program.

“Our laser focus right now is on helping people and businesses during the pandemic, while making sure we’re ready to welcome visitors and explore B.C. when it is safe to do so,” said Melanie Mark, Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport. “Investing in community-based tourism infrastructure not only creates good-paying jobs, it also helps to rebuild this hard-hit industry and ensures B.C.’s reputation as a world-class travel destination remains strong.”

The ORT resort connection project is one of 54 approved under this CERIP intake, worth $20 million.

Nine Thompson Okanagan projects were approved with the total of $3,646,862 coming to the region.