Photo: Contributed

The Columbia Shuswap Regional District will be allocating funds for the Rails to Trails project.

The board unanimously approved the decision to secure additional grant money for the project.

"The grant application is another step towards creating a trail network along the former railway a corridor from Sicamous to Armstrong," stated CSRD in a release to media. "The application to the BC Rural Dividend Fund is for a $500,000 grant towards Rails to Trails project management and preliminary design costs." 

In order to secure the BC Rural Dividend Fund grant, a funding commitment to the project is required from the applicant.

As part of this application process, the CSRD Board approved a commitment of $168,000 from the Sicamous and Area E Economic Opportunity Fund. 

"The District of Sicamous will fund the remaining $168,000 contribution," stated CSRD. "Donations and in-kind contributions could become a part of the funding plan, however, to secure the BC Rural Dividend Fund grant application, the funding sources need to be secured."

Municipal director for Sicamous, mayor Terry Rysz told the CSRD Board at its regular meeting on Thursday, August 16, 2018 that he was pleased with the support of the CSRD board for the grant application.
"This is an important step in getting the development of the rail trail moving forward." 

CSRD’s allocation of funds meets the criteria that the money be used to stimulate economic development within Sicamous and Area E (Rural Sicamous/Malakwa).

The CSRD and District of Sicamous will await the decision on the BC Rural Dividend Fund grant application before making their financial contribution to the project.