The Regional District of Kootenay Boundary is now officially asking the provincial government not to abandon a rail trail between Castlegar and Midway.
The board passed a motion Wednesday asking the province to reverse its decision to designate the Columbia and Western trail as a non-status rail grade, given its “economic, social, cultural, and historical importance.”
They further ask that the government work with user groups and other ministries, both provincial and federal, to identify and manage safety concerns.
Christina Lake director Grace McGregor, whose community the trail passes through, introduced the motion and made a pitch to the board along with fellow director Linda Worley.
“The trail is not only an economic development thing for Christina Lake, it links all of the communities together, right through and continues to go through to the Okanagan,” McGregor told Vista Radio.
“It’s also a high value recreation trail for everyone living around here and people that come to visit.”
The trail is at risk of being downgraded to “wilderness status,” leaving it ineligible for funding or maintenance. An online petition objecting to the move has collected nearly 3,000 signatures.
“I hope everyone is concerned straight across the province about this,” McGregor said. “Once we start this it doesn’t end. Next thing you know, none of us have a trail.”
McGregor acknowledged that the trail requires maintenances given its tunnels and trestles, but she pointed to the federal and provincial government joining forces to rebuild trestles in the Myra Canyon near Kelowna following their destruction by wildfire in 2003.
In addition to its recreational opportunities, McGregor said the trail can act as a fuel break in event of wildfire, and in some places potential alternate access routes in case Highway 3 is closed.
She said lack of trail maintenance has already caused issues, citing one instance where it took a couple of extra hours for an ambulance to reach someone who had had an accident.
McGregor said RDKB representatives have met with their MLA and MP about the issue.
“I don’t think people are going to stop signing that petition or sending letters of support, from across the Boundary for all users,” she said. “This is about keeping that trail open and working together to keep to safe.”
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