March 2017.
The $500,000 provincial Rural Dividend grant is the largest single donation yet towards development of the rail trail!
Article from the Vernon Morning Star:
There’s been a major boost for the Okanagan Rail Trail.
A $500,000 provincial rural dividend grant has been received for the recreational corridor from Coldstream to Kelowna, and now $3.1 million of the $7.8 million goal has been raised.
“This will be the biggest year yet,” says Brad Clements, with the Okanagan Rail Trail Initiative.
“Trail construction activities will be proceeding, and there will be a final push to complete fundraising so that the trail can be finished and open by 2018.“
The rural dividend grant will be used to create safe trail/road crossings in the North Okanagan and Lake Country, and to build test sections to determine the most appropriate and economical means for constructing the remainder of trail and encourage local construction companies to get involved.
“Businesses, clubs and organizations can get involved by signing up as business partners and campaign partners to help with fundraising,” said Laurie Postill, with ORTI.