The Province and community partners will invest $4.2 million to launch a new Spirit of 2010 Trail network that will link 18 B.C. communities through converted recreational rail corridors, creating new jobs and increasing tourism, announced Premier Gordon Campbell and the Honourable Stephen Owen, Minister of Western Economic Diversification and Minister of State (Sport).

Tourists and communities alike will gain from this world-class trail network," said Owen. "Community-led investments like these today mean lasting social, environmental and economic opportunities tomorrow. The governments of Canada and B.C. are working together to lay the foundation for a strong, sustainable future in B.C."

"The Spirit of 2010 Trail will be a lasting legacy for B.C. that will increase tourism and create new jobs, while also promoting physical activity and preserving local history," said Campbell. "Working together with the federal government and communities, we are establishing a new, upgraded trail network that will open up our world-class tourism attractions and help attract new visitors from across the globe."

The Government of Canada, through Western Economic Diversification Canada, is providing $2.1 million through the Softwood Industry Community Economic Adjustment Initiative. This initiative helps forest-dependent communities that were affected by the U.S. softwood lumber tariffs. The program helps communities create opportunities for economic development that will stimulate investment and job creation. The province and its partners, including Tourism British Columbia and four regional districts, will contribute a total of $1.658 million. The Trans Canada Trail Foundation is providing the remaining $415,000.

The Spirit of 2010 Trail is a great new tourism asset that perfectly embodies the Super, Natural British Columbia brand," said Mike Duggan, chair of Tourism British Columbia. "It is a very marketable product that is sure to stimulate new visitor activity across all the tourism regions it touches."

The Spirit of 2010 Trail network encompasses approximately 700 km of existing rail corridors that cross the Central Kootenays, Kootenay Boundary, Okanagan Similkameen and Cowichan Valley regional districts. The four trails to be improved as part of the Spirit of 2010 Trail network are:

• Kettle Valley Railroad Rail Trail: Brodie Station - Princeton; Princeton - Summerland; Penticton - June Springs; Myra Station - Beaverdell; Beaverdell - Rock Creek; Rock Creek - Midway; Midway - Grand Forks; Grand Forks - Christina Lake; Christina Lake - Castlegar.
  
• Slocan Rail Trail: South Slocan - Slocan.
  
• Salmo - Troupe Rail Trail: Salmo - Ymir/Nelson/Troupe.
  
• Cowichan Valley Rail Trail: Lake Cowichan - Shawnigan Lake.

Funds from the partnership will support improvements such as culvert repairs, rock scaling, tunnel assessment, trailhead development, trestle decking and railings, new bridge construction, trail surfacing, community access, and signage. Trail improvements and related construction are expected to be complete by the spring of 2005.

The improvements to this trail network are not only an incredible benefit to the various Regional Districts but an incredible benefit to the province," said Dan Ashton, chair of the Okanagan Similkameen Regional District. "Interconnecting the regions with this improved trail network will be an economic and recreational opportunity for everyone."

The Trans Canada Trail Foundation is pleased to support the Spirit of 2010 Trail with Opportunity for Trans Canada Trail with a grant of $415,000," said the foundation's president and CEO John Bellini. "Work on the Cowichan Valley and Kettle Valley Rail Trails will ensure that the Trans Canada Trail is complete by 2010."

The trails will be accessible for activities such as cycling, hiking, horseback riding and nordic skiing. Based on benefits created by other rails-to-trails projects elsewhere in North America, the Spirit of 2010 Trail network is expected to create up 250 jobs over five years as well as increased tourism spending. Communities will further benefit from increased recreational and transportation opportunities, improved community health and environmental preservations.

Federal funding for this initiative was provided for in the March 2004 budget.

A map of the Spirit of 2010 Trail network is available at http://www.spiritof2010trail.ca/  online.

For additional information, contact:

Kelly Gleeson
Director, Media Relations
Public Affairs Bureau
(250) 361-6313

Susan Schooley
Manager, Communications
Western Economic Diversification Canada
(604) 666-1318
 
Paul Woolley
Communications Director
Ministry of Small Business and
Economic Development
(250) 356-9428

Renée Gillen
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister,
Western Economic
Diversification Canada
(613) 954-1110