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VICTORIA – The Spirit of 2010 Trail Network will benefit
from $600,000 in upgrades and provide employment to forest workers in a number
of communities throughout the province thanks to the Community Development
Trust’s Job Opportunities Program, announced Kevin Krueger, Minister of
Community Development, Bill Bennett, Minister of Tourism, Culture and the Arts
and Pat Bell, Minister of Forests and Range.
“Through this partnership, we will
improve hundreds of kilometres of trail spanning from Brookmere to Slocan and
Salmo,” said Krueger. “These trails, built along abandoned railway corridors,
promote economic development and are providing employment at a time when every
job counts.”
The funding will be used to complete
restoration of the Spirit of 2010 Trail Network, providing safe and high
quality recreation and protecting the ecological integrity by eliminating and
managing natural hazards. Work will take place on the Great Northern Rail
Trail, Slocan Valley Rail Trail, Columbia and Western Rail Trail and Kettle
Valley Rail Trail.
“This project
not only provides valuable jobs, but this is a remarkable trail network that
will result in important tourism opportunities for communities along this
network,” said Bennett.
Workers will install new washrooms and
picnic tables, brush and clear trails, add decking and railing to small
trestles and install interpretive and directional signage. Workers will also
repair damage caused by flooding, stabilize stream crossings and improve safety
point railings at various points along the trails.
The Spirit of 2010 Trail network is a unique recreational experience developed through a collaboration of the Province of British Columbia, the Government of Canada, Tourism British Columbia and a number of regional partners. Five significant rail trails have been converted across the province to form the Spirit of 2010 Trail. The 700-kilometres of trails provide an opportunity for British Columbia residents and visitors to experience an extensive corridor of recreational trails for hiking, walking, cycling, horseback riding and cross country skiing.
“The Job Opportunities Program is providing employment for British Columbian forest workers and ensuring they remain part of their communities’ skilled workforce,” said Bell. “The Spirit of 2010 Trail Network will be used by thousands of British Columbian athletes, families and outdoor adventurers for years to come.”
The $26.25-million Job Opportunities Program is reducing the impact of current layoffs on workers employed in the forest industry, retaining skilled forest workers for the anticipated future upturn, and preserving the characteristics of the labour force in forest-dependent communities.
Forest-dependent communities or organizations, licensees and contractors working in cooperation with a forest-dependent community are eligible to submit a project proposal to the Job Opportunities Program. To date, the program has approved over $16 million to support 93 projects which will employ more than 750 forest workers in communities across the province.
The Job Opportunities Program is one component of the Community Development Trust, which was announced last spring. B.C.’s share of the federal trust is $129 million over three years, with funds also directed to a Tuition Assistance Program and Transition Assistance for Older Workers Program.
In the 2009/2010 budget, the Province committed an additional $30 million for further programs similar to those offered under the Community Development Trust.
For more information about the Community Development Trust and Job Opportunities Program, go to: www.cd.gov.bc.ca/cdt/
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contact: |
Public Affairs Officer Ministry of Community Development 250 387-4089 |
Public Affairs Officer Ministry of Forests and Range 250 387-4592 |
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