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KELOWNA – Okanagan residents and tourists will have upgraded facilities and conditions on about 180 kilometres of recreation trails thanks to $110,000 from the Community Development Trust’s Job Opportunities Program, Community Development Minister Kevin Krueger and Kelowna-Lake Country MLA Al Horning announced.
“The Community Development Trust is assisting forest workers, their families and communities across this province. During a time when every job counts, we are providing stability,” said Krueger. “We are pleased to be able to support this project, while at the same time improving recreation in the Okanagan.”
The four-forest-worker project will include the identification and removal of danger trees and brush, and maintenance along 100 kilometres of trails in Graystokes Park, a 50-kilometre trail connecting Big White and Linden Lake and about 30 kilometres of trails around Idabel Lake. The work will increase safety levels and enhance the trail grooming operations for snowmobilers.
“These trails provide countless hours of recreation for snowmobilers and other outdoor enthusiasts,” said Horning. “The removal of hazard trees and trail maintenance by local forest workers will result in safer outdoor experiences for people who take advantage of all the recreation options our city offers.”
The forest workers will also install trail-head signs and improve three public-use cabins, including White House at Two John Lake, Uncle Tom’s Cabin, which is close to 201 Road, and Canyon Lakes Cabin.
“The Job Opportunities Program is creating employment and income for Kelowna forest workers while putting their skills to use to create long-term benefits for residents,” said Minister of Tourism, Culture and Arts, Bill Bennett. “These trails are the backdrop to a lot of family and group adventures, and the Job Opportunities Program is improving them.”
“The Kelowna Snowmobile Club has a great opportunity to improve trails and facilities used by many people in this area throughout the year and, at the same time, as the contractor, offer an employment option to forestry workers in the Okanagan,” said Kelowna Mayor Sharon Shepherd.
The $26.25-million Job Opportunities Program is reducing the impact of current layoffs on workers employed in the forest industry, retaining skilled forest workers for the anticipated future upturn, and preserving the characteristics of the labour force in forest-dependent communities.
Forest-dependent communities or organizations, licensees and contractors working in co-operation with a forest-dependent community are eligible to submit a project proposal to the Job Opportunities Program. To date, the program has approved over $13 million to support 79 projects, which will employ more than 620 forest workers in communities across the province.
The Job Opportunities Program is one component of the Community Development Trust, which was announced last spring. B.C.’s share of the federal trust is $129 million over three years, with funds also directed to a tuition assistance program and the Transition Assistance for Older Workers Program.
In the 2009-2010 Budget, the Province committed an additional $30 million for further programs similar to those offered under the Community Development Trust.
For more information about the Community Development Trust and Job Opportunities Program, go to: www.cd.gov.bc.ca/cdt/
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Public Affairs Officer Ministry of Forests and Range 250 953-3142
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Public Affairs Officer Ministry of Community Development 250 387-4089
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City of Kelowna 250 469-8980
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For more information on government services or to subscribe to the Province’s news feeds using RSS, visit the Province’s website at www.gov.bc.ca. |
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