CRANBROOK – The City of Cranbrook will receive $279,935 from the Ministry of Community, Sport, and Cultural Development's Community Recreation Program to help fund walking and cycling trail extensions and upgrades around the city.
Why this matters:
· The existing trail system is very popular among residents and tourists. Expanding the current trail network will ensure continued and increased use of trail facilities.
· The trails provide a transportation alternative to driving, thereby reducing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting healthy physical activity.
· Community Recreation grants encourage healthy living and community engagement for people of all ages and abilities by providing opportunities for recreational activity.
· Quality recreation infrastructure helps communities attract residents and tourists to communities across B.C.
Quote:
“This grant will allow an essential “link” trail to be completed that it will connect Rotary Walk with Rails to Trails and to other community recreation assets such as the “quad park.” I congratulate the Cranbrook Rotary Club for its vision and determination and I thank Mayor Stetski and the City of Cranbrook for being such great partners in this endeavor. Our community is a better place to live because of this project.”
- Kootenay East MLA Bill Bennett
Additional Information:
· The project will include the expansion of trails to connect more areas of the City to the main trail system, and the replacement of four bridges along the current trail system.
· The Corporation of the City of Cranbrook will own the completed project.
· $30 million will go to 98 projects throughout the province to help build healthier communities and provide important amenities to support B.C. families.
· The Province is funding up to 80 per cent of eligible costs for projects that enhance recreation infrastructure in communities across the province.
· The Community Recreation Program was announced by Premier Christy Clark at the Union of B.C. Municipalities Convention in September 2011.
· The total value of approved projects is more than $70 million, which will create an estimated 458 direct jobs and 251 indirect jobs.
For more information:
· For more information on the Community Recreation program, go to:
http://www.cscd.gov.bc.ca/lgd/infra/infrastructure_grants/community_recreation_program.htm
· Learn more about the BC Recreation and Parks Association at: http://www.bcrpa.bc.ca/