Canal trail upgrade funding sought
Osoyoos Town Council hopes to use a recently-announced federal grant program to help pave and light the Canal Trail from 62nd Avenue to Highway 3.
Council chose the trail upgrade project over four other proposals from town staff to try to get in on federal matching grants for communities to renovate an existing cultural or recreational facility.
The grants are available under the Canada 150 Community Infrastructure Program. It was announced May 19 and as part of the celebration of Canada’s 150th anniversary, which occurs in 2017.
The projects that council did not choose include: expansion of the Sun Bowl Arena dressing rooms; playground development at Kinsmen Park; development of a patio at the Sonora Centre; and retro-fitting of the Desert Park building.
Chief Administrative Officer Barry Romanko pointed out that the canal trail-paving project is the only one that already has funding budgeted to meet the 50-per-cent matching funds requirement. $117,000 is included in the Resort Municipality section of the 2015 budget.
The program has a tight timeline, with grant submissions being due on June 17.
Councillor CJ Rhodes asked Romanko for his “gut feeling” about the chances for success if the town applies for a grant.
“Nothing ventured, nothing gained,” responded the CAO. He added that the town has already done considerable planning around the canal trail paving project.
Mayor Sue McKortoff asked rhetorically, “Why (would we) turn down any sort of grant opportunity.
Aside from the 62nd Avenue to Highway 3 section, Romanko said in an interview the town will look at the possibility of including the leg from the trail to the Visitors’ Centre.
A consultant’s estimate for the upgrading put the total cost at about $423,000. The maximum project cost under the Canada 150 program is $250,000. Romanko said staff will examine options, including postponing some of the lighting portion of the project.
Council instructed staff to prepare the application and submit it before the June 17 deadline.