Why is our trail important?
Think of the Seawall in Vancouver, the Valley Trail in Whistler, the Lakefront Walk in Chicago and so many other iconic pedestrian walkways around the world. Why do they exist ? Quite simply, because the public loves them. And the residents and visitors to Cultus Lake will love the Lakeside Trail in the same way. This trail will be a community amenity of the first order and a legacy for generations to follow.
The bottom line is that we will build a safe, engaging and beautiful nature trail from Sunny side to Frosst creek….the full length of the lake with a variety of stops of interest along the way.
- What is the status of the project?
As a result of the efforts of a small group of dedicated volunteers, the Lakeside Trail has already gained unanimous support among all the property owners and interest groups around the lake. Leveraging that support, the Lakeside Trail Society has engaged all of the government agencies and garnered their support as well.
The Department of Highways (M.O.T.H.) showed their support by commissioning Urban Systems, a national urban planning company, to do a preliminary layout for the entire trail as well as a high level cost analysis. We are most appreciative of MOTH’s efforts to make out trail a reality.
That work is still ongoing but we expect to see finished drawings for Phase I of the trail in the fall of 2016
Phase one extends from Leisure Valley, the south end of the trail, to Maple Bay. We expect to see construction on phase 1 to begin in October 2016.
Our current estimate of a timeline for the project is a possible 5 year completion. This is a major construction project and there are a number of hurdles to clear, but we plan to actively manage those hurdles to make project completion as fast and economical as possible.
- How much do we need?
A rough estimate of the cost of the entire trail from one end of the lake to the other is $2 million. The estimate is rough at this point because we have a great deal to learn about the engineering and construction costs of certain difficult parts of the trail, but we feel that our $2m estimate is reasonably close.
The mixture of funding for the $2 million dollars at this point is assumed to be:
| Department of Highways | $1,400,000 |
| Fraser Valley Regional District | 400,000 |
| Lakeside Trail Society | 200,000 |
| BC Parks | (No Financial commitment so far) |
| Total | $2,000,000 |
So, to answer the question, “How much do we need from community sources ?” . We think it is appropriate to raise $ 200,000, or about 10% of the total cost. To raise that amount we will be looking for donations from individuals as well as from corporations. In addition to asking for community support, we are also applying for various government grants and’ in-kind’ donations, and will be hosting a variety of fundraiser events such as our very successful golf tournament.
Over this past summer we raised over $ 20,000 from the golf tournament and other private donations
- Why do we need community funding?
We need community funding to demonstrate to the Fraser Valley Regional District, the Department of Highways, the Parks Department and every other layer of government that the community is fully behind this project.
Our committee has become aware that if the local community is willing to pay a reasonable share of the cost of a project that has a direct benefit to a community, the 90% that we are trying to get from government will have a much greater likelihood of becoming available. Our provincial government has ten requests for funding for every one they actually approve government funding.
We need to demonstrate to government that our community is solidly behind this project! A financial commitment from the community is one of the best ways to show our resolve that this trail is valued, needed an appreciated by our community.
- Where will your money go?
Please understand that none of your funds will be used to offset the overhead of the lakeside trail society. The Lakeside Trail Society is a volunteer community group that is self-funding its overhead costs.
We will use your funds for the amenities that will really make the basic trail, a great trail. Those amenities are the interpretive signs describing the history of the area, the fish habitat, cultural connections to First Nations and early days at Cultus Lake. In addition there will be rest areas along the way with benches, kilometer markings, a fitness circuit and informational signage.
In the initial stages of trail construction, we may find it necessary to borrow from the amenities fund to facilitate portions of the construction of the trail. The hardest part of any big undertaking is getting started and that is certainly the case here. We need to get shovels in the ground and build the first phase of the trail in order to get those on the fence to really get behind our efforts. Phase I includes a portion of trail within BC Parks that will need upgrading to our standard and that will be paid for by a partnership between FVRD and the Lakeside Trail Society – aka – your donations. Sometimes the major funders, both corporate and government, stall as they get organized and when that is the case we will need to fund construction ourselves to keep the momentum going.
We will reimburse the amenities fund for costs that have been used for construction.
This is a complex, long term project. Our primary short to medium term goal is to get the trail finished, then we can add amenities that will make the trail an extraordinary experience.
- What does it mean to “support the trail”?
The quick answer to this question is you support the trail by sending in your financial donation. And while that is true, and helpful, supporting the trail can be a lot more than that.
Let’s start by reminding you that the thrust behind this wonderful project is a half dozen dedicated volunteers. We are supporting the trail with our time and our expertise. And you can do the same. We need time and talent. On our team so far we have great talent. We have technical people, social media people, strategic thinkers, managerial skills, organizational experience and promotional talent. But even with all those skills we need more. If you want to join our merry band, let us know and we’ll be glad to sit down and discuss it with you.
Supporting the trail can be as simple as being a cheerleader for it. Talk it up with your neighbours, let everyone know you believe in it, and why. Every new supporter helps.
Maybe you work for a company that may be a good fit as a supporter for the trail. Maybe the corporate culture there lends itself to community involvement and this may be the perfect public amenity for them to get behind. Talk us up, you never know where it may lead.
Here is more information on our webpage on the various options: www.lakesidetrail.ca
Thank You!