The Northern Rockies Regional Airport isn’t the only part of Fort Nelson that recently got an injection of Federal cash; the community’s trail is getting nearly a quarter-million dollars from the Community Infrastructure Improvement Fund (CIIF).
The $247,000 is earmarked for improving accessibility for strollers and those with mobility issues, as well as improving parking.
“A lot of individuals on there, a lot of families use it for evening walks,” said Northern Rockies Mayor Bill Streeper. “It’s part of the ‘participaction’ program for everybody, helping people promote themselves and stay physically fit.”
Streeper said that the $250,000 will be well spent on the trail, which the municipality plans to wrap around the entire town of Fort Nelson.
“I know it sounds like a lot of money, but with today’s construction costs, it’s not just posts in the ground you walk between,” he said, adding that parts of the trail go through the bush, and is built up with gravel and paved.
Earlier in the year, two new lookouts were built on the trail, which now extends to over 10 kilometres. Streeper said that many people, including the mayor himself, drive in from outside of town to take advantage of the trail, making parking improvements very
important.
The municipality plans to continue work on the trail next year.
peacereporter@ahnfsj.ca
