Group pushing to save rail line for path

MONDAY, 28 OCTOBER 2013 02:00 J.P. SQUIRE Kelowna Daily Courier
As soon as Brad Clements heard Kelowna Pacific went into receivership, he thought it represented a tremendous opportunity for a recreational corridor between Kelowna and Vernon. However, as soon as Clements did a little research, the economics instructor at Okanagan College's Vernon and Salmon Arm campuses realized there wasn't much time. On Oct. 2, CN began the process of abandoning the rail line. Anyone who wants to operate rail service there has until Dec. 2 to contact CN with its intentions.If no one steps forward, there is a series of deadlines for the federal, provincial and local governments, and transit authority to purchase the property. After that, it would be offered to the public. CN is already getting calls from private property owners who live along the line and from developers who want to buy chunks which could eliminate public access. Clements supports continued rail service to benefit Okanagan businesses, but has been told by CN "the line is in really, really bad shape" and could require $10 million to $20 million to bring it up to modern standards. That seems unlikely given the limited usage. "This would be a phenomenal, phenomenal bike path, walking path, because it goes along the two lakes. But once the process of abandonment starts, it goes fast," he said. Clements and his wife moved to the Okanagan 12 years ago for its quality of life, but he feels that quality has diminished since virtually all of the waterfront on Vernon's three lakes, for example, is now in private hands without public access. He's now involved with a group trying to establish a kayaking centre on Okanagan Lake. For the past dozen years, he and members of his wife's family have travelled throughout North America to ride popular trails like this rail line. Clements suspects CN would ask between $15 million and $35 million for the right-of-way. He believes the selling price could be significantly less than that, but only if all three levels of government - including Vernon, Coldstream, Lake Country, Kelowna and the two regional district governments - work together to make it a reality. So he has formed the Okanagan Rail Trail group which wants to make presentations to local governments. A document outlining the benefits is being circulated to local governments and private companies asking for their support.
A website is being prepared: okanaganrailtrail.ca. Those who want more information or to become involved can email: okrailtrails@gmail.com.