Push On For Rail Trail Governance

Officials are still looking into governance models for the Okanagan Rail Trail to operate it once its completed.

Andrew Gibbs from the inter-jurisdictional team overseeing the project says they have a consultant helping them out.

He expects a meeting with RDNO officials soon, to talk about operation, maintenance and management of the corridor.

“That will happen. The hope is the outcome of that is that there will be direction to staff to say look at these options or come back to us with some recommendations about what we can do,” says Gibbs.

Gibbs told the Greater Vernon Advisory Committee construction of the 12 kilometre section in the North Okanagan could be done by January.

Supporters of the Rail Trail are urging local government to seize the opportunity.

Trail ambassador Brad Clements told GVAC, people are excited about the trail and its potential.

“I was speaking to a donor last night and he described it very fittingly as this is our opportunity to build Stanley Park. So let’s keep that in mind and focus on the opportunity that’s before us. Let’s focus on the community energy that’s there.”

Clements says five million dollars has been raised for the trail.

He says that leaves about 2.5 million dollars to go.