RDNO Commits Half a Million to the Rail Trail

The Regional District of North Okanagan has introduced it’s Greater Vernon Parks, Recreation and Culture budget for the coming year.

A total of 24 recommendations were approved including $350-thousand for new artificial turf at the indoor soccer centre and $320-thousand for a new roof for the Boys & Girls Club.

Chair Bob Fleming says half a million is going to the Okanagan Rail Trail, but it’s all from donations from the Rail Trail Society and no money from taxpayers. That money is already being spent.

“It’s some trail development itself. It’s signage, it’s barriers, it’s safety especially but in particular for our area because of the cliffs along the rail line there, it’s rock scaling.”

RDNO is putting some of it’s own money towards the trail already though.

“We’re budgeting $20,000 out of the Parks budget for maintenance even though it’s not officially developed but obviously people will be using it, so we are budgeting for garbage, weeds, dog bags, those kinds of things.”

Maintenance work has actually already begun.

“There’s a garbage can at Kickwillie Loop and it’s getting maintained so you get new bags put in to remove waste and stuff. It is predominantly doggie bags right now.”

RDNO’s overall budget must be adopted by the end of March.