PENTICTON, B.C. – Penticton resident Ian Lobb has been elected to serve as chair of The Trail of the Okanagans Steering Committee. A local cycling tour director, Lobb was instrumental in connecting 68 communities of the Waterfront Trail that features more than 700 kilometres of pathways around Lake Ontario.

“I’ve worked with and learned from some incredible people in North America and overseas while developing routes and cycling events,” says Lobb. “Having experienced some of the world’s great trails, it’s easy to see the positive impact connectivity will have on this region. Our goal is to bring people together and help create a connection to communities for residents and visitors alike to experience the beauty of the Interior.”

It is a volunteer group of trail enthusiasts and representatives from local governments, tourism offices and the wider community collaborating to develop a world-class recreational pathway between the Shuswap region in the north and Osoyoos in the south.

Phase One of the Summerland-to-Penticton portion of the pathway is expected to open in July. The 1.3-kilometre section will extend alongside Highway 97 in Summerland between Lakeshore Drive on the north and Summerland RV Park on the south.

The recreational pathway, to be constructed by the B.C. Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, is expected to be a minimum of two metres wide. A continuous concrete barrier will separate it from the highway’s shoulder, making it safe and attractive for casual cyclists and walkers.

Major funding for Phase One is coming from the Province of BC ($400,000) and the District of Summerland ($100,000). Phase Two involves extending the pathway through Trout Creek to Sun-Oka Provincial Park and along the lake to Penticton. Funding and exact routing have yet to be determined.