The City of Cranbrook is getting $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.

“This grant will allow an essential ‘link’ trail to be completed that will connect Rotary Walk with NorthStar 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 Wayne 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,” stated Kootenay East MLA Bill Bennett.

Bennett has been busy the past few days, delivering good funding tidings to a variety of communities in the region, including Sparwood, Fernie, Canal Flats and Wasa, which is getting $70,000 to put toward its skating rink.

Cranbrook’s funded 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 City of Cranbrook will own the completed project.

“The existing trail system is 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,” notes a provincial government press release.

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.

The province is funding up to 80 per cent of eligible costs for projects that enhance recreation infrastructure in communities across the province, with $30 million going to 98 projects throughout the province during this round of funding.

Above image: The NorthStar Rails-to-Trails is an increasingly popular attraction between Kimberley and Cranbrook.

Ian Cobb/e-KNOW

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