Band, Rail Trail Group React To $22M Deal

Written by Peter McIntyre 107.5 KISSFM Monday, 01 December 2014 14:44
There's a deal to buy the former rail line between Coldstream and Kelowna, but there's still a few hurdles before it can be considered for a public trial. The City of Kelowna, representing other partners like the Regional District of North Okanagan and the District of lake Country, has announced a 22 million dollar deal to buy the 47 kilometre line from C-N. That's less than half the 50 million dollars C-N originally wanted. "I believe it is a good deal. Good value for the citizens of the region," says Doug Gilchrist, city of Kelowna's director of community planning and real estate. The buyers now have to determine how to pay for it, perhaps by borrowing or using reserves. Brad Clements from the Okanagan Rail Trail group pushing for the site to become a public walking and biking trail, says the cost may be a deterrent for some residents. "For some initially it might be, but not when you look at the long term benefits in terms of the benefits like tourism. The economists estimated anywhere from 6.7 million dollars to 10 million dollars incremental to our economy and tourism alone," Clements tells Kiss FM. Clements says the deal is great news. "Now we've preserved this amazing corridor that's going to provide benefits to the Okanagan and visitors from now until eternity. This is absolutely fantastic." Clements says developing a trail could cost as much as 7 million dollars, which would be added to the 22 million dollar purchase price. "In the meantime, we are going to prepare because we've said from the start, we'll help to raise the funds to turn it into a trail," says Clements. Okanagan Indian Band chief Byron Louis says land in their reserve is not part of the deal, and any development in those areas would need their approval. "We've brought this to the attention to all parties including all levels of government that what they're buying does not have clear title," Louis tells Kiss FM. Gilchrist, the lead negotiator, says about 2.5 kilometres of the corridor in the Okanagan Indian Band reserve claim is not part of the deal. "It's an important link and we will continue to try and work with them on the corridor staying open," says Gilchrist. As part of the deal, CN will have until the end of 2015 to remove the rail infrastructure from the corridor. The rail line was built in 1925, but has been idle since last year after it became unprofitable for Kelowna Pacific Railway to operate.