First phase of Trail of the Okanagans nearing completion in Summerland

PENTICTON – Construction is nearing completion on the Trail of the Okanagans connection between Summerland and Trout Creek.

Founding Director of the Trail of the Okanagans, Don Gemmell, says the link is nearly finished, as workers perform clean up work on the corridor.

The connection, which links Lakeshore Drive in Summerland to Landry Crescent in Trout Creek, is Phase one of a project proponents hope will eventually extend all the way to Penticton.

“This first phase is a prototype, with the expectation further funding will be coming to extend the trail,” Gemmell says, calling the work a highway widening and trail project.

“This is truly unique in the Okanagan. The whole South Okanagan, not just Summerland, should be excited about this project. It’s major advance for cycling in the Okanagan,” he says, noting the project adds to the valley’s inventory of marketable cycling network.

“It’s an economic development project that will help bring people from around the world to this area for its cycling opportunities,” he says.

Gemmell said the trail would likely quietly open within the next week, but an official opening, including a ribbon cutting ceremony, will take place with minimum notice, as the timing depends on Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Todd Stone’s availability.

To contact the reporter for this story, email Steve Arstad at sarstad@infonews.ca or call 250-488-3065. To contact the editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.