Lake path gets $1.2M boost

Photo: Adam Proskiw

Bill Barisoff, MLA for Penticton.

Walking and cycling along Penticton’s Okanagan Lake waterfront will be safer and more accessible thanks to a $1.2-million contribution from the Government of Canada through the Gas Tax Fund.

The walkway along the west side of the Okanagan Lake waterfront linking Winnipeg Street to Riverside Drive will undergo reconstruction this spring. The new pathway will have a smoother surface, enhanced access for those with mobility challenges, additional trees and new high-efficiency lighting.

“Increasing the accessibility of community pathways is a vital part of creating vibrant, sustainable and healthy communities. It encourages physical activity for every age and ability and contributes to a reduction in greenhouse gas,” said Bill Barisoff, MLA for Penticton.

“Grants provided through the Gas Tax Fund are helping local governments deliver on important projects that not only lead to better public spaces, but to a greater quality of life for British Columbians.”

“The Okanagan Lake waterfront is a destination sought by visitors and residents alike, and the project will go a long way to making our community more sustainable and vibrant,” said Penticton Mayor Dan Ashton, who was out of town for the announcement.

Between 2006 and 2014, British Columbia will receive more than $1.56 billion from the Gas Tax Fund to improve local infrastructure. The Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM) administers the Gas Tax Fund in BC, in collaboration with Canada and British Columbia.

For additional information about federal investments in infrastructure and to stay up-to-date with Web feeds, visit here.

To find out what the Government of Canada is doing to promote jobs, growth and prosperity, visit here.