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COTR’s Community Forest project complete
Project included rejuvenating multi-use trails impacted by student housing construction
College of the Rockies’ Cranbrook Community Forest Trail Enhancement project has reached completion. In collaboration with the Cranbrook Community Forest Society and other relevant stakeholders, the college conceptualized new sections of trail and improvements to existing trails near the College’s track and Student Housing buildings. Inclusivity and quality were key principles of the trail design.
“With the completion of our latest student housing project, we were committed to rejuvenating surrounding multi-use trails on College land,” said Allan Knibbs, Director, Facilities. “We’re thrilled to see this project coming to a close and hope community members and visitors to our region enjoy the new and improved trails this summer and into the future.”
Lifetime Outdoor Inc. was awarded the contract to undertake the project. They began work in early spring 2022 and reached completion on June 22. Additional signage will be installed at the entrance in the next few weeks.
“We were excited about this project from when we were first contacted,” said Jeff Cook, head of Operations for Lifetime Outdoor. “It’s really great to see a flow trail like this one added to Cranbrook’s amazing selection of trails. There’s something fun for everyone and we hope the community enjoys it.”
Overwhelming community support helped ensure this project was successful. A Giving Tuesday campaign was launched in December 2020 with the college committing to match donations up to a total of $50,000. Over the course of the fundraising campaign, which concluded on April 30, 2021, 105 donations totalling $130,751 were received, far surpassing the $100,000 goal. The top contribution during the campaign was from the College of the Rockies’ Students’ Association in the amount of $5,000.
Some of the highlights of the renovation include a designated college trailhead with improved signage (in the works) and a bike wash station; rejuvenated multi-use up-track; and a mountain bike flow trail with berms, technical features, and ride-around options, built to Whistler Trail Standards.
Learn more about College of the Rockies at: cotr.ca.
Lead image: College of the Rockies Cranbrook Community Forest Trail Enhancement project is now complete and available for community members and visitors to try out the new trails from the designated college trailhead. (Stock photo submitted)
College of the Rockies
