The Trail of the Okanagans steering committee has a new chair.
Penticton resident Ian Lobb has been elected to serve as chair. The local cycling tour director was instrumental in connecting 68 communities on the Waterfront Trail, featuring more than 700 km of pathways around Lake Ontario.
Lobb is replacing former chair Connie Denesiuk, who stepped down earlier this year.
“I’ve worked with and learned from some incredible people in North America and overseas while developing routes and cycling events,” Lobb said.
“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.”
Trail of the Okanagans is a volunteer group of trail enthusiasts and representatives from local governments, tourism offices and the community collaborating to develop a world-class recreational pathway between the Shuswap 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 km section will extend along Highway 97 in Summerland between Lakeshore Drive on the north side and the Summerland RV Park to the south.
The B.C. Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure will construct the pathway and it is expected to be a minimum of two metres wide. A concrete barrier will separate the trail from the highway’s shoulder, making it safe for casual cyclists and walkers.
The province of B.C. is providing $400,000 in funding for phase one and the District of Summerland is providing $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. For more information visit the Trail of the Okanagans Facebook page at Okanagan Lakeside Multi-use Pathway Project.
