Splatsin Rail Trail looking towards Enderby Cliffs.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED/The Shuswap Trail Alliance
May 11, 2021 - 6:30 AM
The Shuswap North Okanagan Rail Trail is getting a $250,000 grant towards the trail's test section.
While the grant will not fully pay for the entire test section, the funding from the Thompson Okangan Tourism Association is a large step towards the benchmark goal.
The funding was approved on May 4, according to a Shuswap Trail Alliance.
Construction is expected to start later this year within the City of Enderby and Splatsin, which will span two kilometres, previewing a future 50 km trail from Armstrong to Sicamous.
The Enderby-Splatsin corridor is estimated to cost $600,000, but the Shuswap Trail Alliance is currently running a fundraising campaign and seeking more grants for the project before construction gets underway.
READ MORE: Work on first stage of Sicamous to Armstrong rail trail to start this year
For now, the trail is closed to the public.
“For the public’s safety, the Shuswap North Okanagan Rail Trail remains closed to all traffic, both motorized and non-motorized. Trespassers may be subject to enforcement fines and other penalties,” Regional District of North Okanagan manager of parks, recreation and culture," Brad Ackerman said in the release.
During construction, no vegetation will be altered without prior authorization.
The $250,000 grant from the Targeted Regional Tourism Development Initiative was awarded to partners in the project: Splatsin, Regional District of North Okanagan and Columbia Shuswap Regional District.
This projected $600,000 stretch will sample a proposed $8 million vision of a trail spanning 50 km from Armstrong to Sicamous.
More information on the Shuswap North Okanagan Rail Trail and the fundraising campaign can be found here.
READ MORE: Okanagan Rail Trail fans have new tool to navigate the route
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