City of Powell River council will consider applying for a grant that would help construct a multi-use path from Powell River Recreation Complex through to Brooks Secondary School.
At the April 5 committee of the whole meeting, city sustainability planner Ana Lukyanova outlined a $750,000 proposal, with a Powell River Community Forest contribution of $300,000 and a federal active transportation fund application for $450,000.
Lukyanova said the purpose of a report she had written for councillors was to get support for the application to build a mid-level connector, multi-use path that would connect Brooks with the recreation complex.
“This path has been in our official community plan since 2014, and more recently, we’ve seen a lot of support from the community for the parks and trails process and the bicycle network strategy process,” said Lukyanova.
She said for the city’s portion of the project, the community forest contribution has already been approved toward.
Councillor CaroleAnn Leishman said the climate change mitigation and adaptation committee had a special meeting on April 4 and fully supported council approving this grant application.
“This has been in our plans for a long time,” added Leishman. “The youth council, about four years ago, had a presentation on this mid-level connector. The Townsite Ratepayers Association came forward and wanted to get the youth council onboard with the idea of the connector.
“Through the engagement on the bicycle network strategy, the youth were very supportive because they did raise concerns about a lack of connectivity between Westview and Brooks. There has been a lot of engagement on this and it’s just a really brilliant way to activate that connectivity we sorely need in that mid-level area. I’m encouraging us to support this.”
Mayor Dave Formosa said it is a brilliant idea and very much needed.
“I also imagine one day pavement along the pole line,” said Formosa. “It would be a direct connection from Westview to Townsite and Cranberry. I’m fully supportive.”
Committee chair councillor Rob Southcott said he is proud because this community is regarded with admiration and envy for what has happened here already.
Councillor Cindy Elliott said the bike path would be awesome.
“I received my electric bike and started riding it today; it’s a lot of fun,” said Elliott. “I like being out in the fresh air and I really hope this goes forward, and that we have a trail that is not beside the big trucks that drive so close. It’s important for people going to Brooks to ride safely to the high school.”
In her report, Lukyanova stated that the lack of a safe and comfortable cycling and walking connection between Westview and Townsite has been identified as a major barrier to active travel by Brooks students and the public.
If the grant is to proceed, for the first phase of the project, a three-metre-wide fine crush surface path will be constructed. The report stated that in future phases, lighting and pavement could be added if desired to enhance safety and the user experience.
The committee gave unanimous consent to send the grant application to city council.
