The multi-use trail network in Sechelt is about to get a 5.5-kilometre improvement to connect the community by pathways.
On July 16, Patrick Weiler, the Member of Parliament for West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast-Sea to Sky Country, and Sechelt Mayor Darnelda Siegers rode into the funding announcement on bikes.
They met at the head of a trail in Kinnikinnick Park, where Weiler and Nicholas Simons, the MLA for Powell River-Sunshine Coast, announced almost $2.6 million from the federal government and $647,600 from the provincial government to improve 5.5 kilometres of multi-use pathways and construct another kilometre of bike lanes in Sechelt.
The work will connect West Sechelt, West Porpoise Bay, and East Porpoise Bay to downtown Sechelt. Students attending West Sechelt Elementary and Kinnikinnick Elementary will now have path access to get to and from school.
“Our community is very active at all ages, and this new network will help unite us in new accessible ways,” Siegers said.
The completion of the multi-use pathway network is in conjunction with a bike lane project that received funding from Bike BC Active Transportation, the mayor added. Existing paths will be improved, and two new trails will be completed.
“These infrastructure projects make our communities safer, healthier, more resilient, and ultimately more livable. So as part of this stream of funding, I'm thrilled to announce the federal government will be providing nearly $2.6 million to extend the multi-use pathway throughout Sechelt,” Weiler, who made the announcement on behalf of Infrastructure Minister Catherine McKenna, said.
The decision comes after many Canadians turned to outdoor recreation and active transportation during the pandemic, and Weiler said reducing emissions from transportation is a key component of the country’s climate plan. The federal funds are part of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure program’s COVID-19 Community Resilience Infrastructure grant.
“This kind of infrastructure project just speaks to the importance of not just protecting the environment but providing quality, affordable, and good living conditions for people who choose to live on the Sunshine Coast,” Simons said.
Weiler said he especially wanted to thank the District of Sechelt’s leadership in the project, for pursuing grants and “choosing to build when some said it was too risky.”
“With Canadians successfully getting vaccinated right across the country, we can now focus on efforts to rebuild our economy in a way that addresses key community needs, creates good jobs, sustainable economy, cleaner air and more inclusive communities where people want to live, work, raise their families, and retire in dignity,” Weiler said.
Between 2015 and February 2021, the federal government has invested more than $13 billion in 1,300 public transit projects and $130 million in 126 active transportation projects, the MP added.
Weiler’s announcement follows another funding announcement in Sechelt on July 15, and several days of site visits on the Sunshine Coast. At the end of his announcement, Weiler said he looks forward to biking on the new multi-use paths in Sechelt once they’re complete.
