Provincial cash for rail trail

by Jon Manchester |CASTANET - Apr 7, 2015 / 8:47 am
The provincial government has pledged $7.2 million toward the purchase of the abandoned Okanagan CN Rail line. Premier Christy Clark announced the contribution this morning, which gives a major boost to the effort to create a recreational trail between Kelowna and Coldstream on the old rail right of way. "There are few places in the world that have more to offer outdoor enthusiasts than the Okanagan," Clark said in a press release. "By putting an unused rail line to better use, connecting communities as a cycling and walking trail, there will be even more reasons to get outside." The contribution supports the efforts of a municipal group including the City of Kelowna, regional districts of Central Okanagan and North Okanagan, districts of Coldstream and Lake Country, and the City of Vernon. The group has been negotiating to acquire the $22-million property from CN. Almost 50 kilometres of the discontinued rail line would be transformed into a trail that will offer cycling, hiking and other recreational activities along scenic vistas passing Kalamalka and Wood lakes. But the plan has not been without its detractors. An alternative approval process for borrowing the necessary funds derailed the process in Lake Country, where voters will now vote in a referendum on the matter April 25. The Okanagan Indian Band has also made a claim against a portion of the land, and two property owners along Wood Lake have first right of refusal to purchase the land adjacent to their properties in a deal struck with CN years ago. "We believe in the plans that the City of Kelowna and its partners have for this discontinued rail line and we think this project is a good investment for the local communities," said Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Todd Stone.

The right of way was part of the Kelowna Pacific Railway, which leased the track from CN and ceased operations in July 2013. In September 2013, CN began the formal process of discontinuing the remainder of the line. On Dec. 1, 2014, the City of Kelowna, on behalf of the affected municipalities, signed a negotiated sales and purchase agreement with CN for the discontinued portion of the line. "The purchase of the rail corridor by local government on behalf of the current and future visitors and citizens of the Okanagan is an important capital priority," said Minister of Agriculture and MLA for Kelowna-Lake Country Norm Letnick. "By making our intention clear to financially assist with the acquisition, I hope it will better inform residents of Lake Country as they consider how they will vote on the upcoming referendum." The commitment is contingent on a positive outcome of the referendum in Lake Country. If approved, the acquisition of the line will be completed on June 1. "This investment in our community is in support of an important project - a corridor for recreational activity in this wonderful region," said Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations and MLA for Kelowna-Mission Steve Thomson. "Through the efforts and investment of the project partners, a new recreational trail will be a highlight for these communities along the corridor."