A very generous contribution from a local family, together with the recent funding pledge from the federal government, means that the Okanagan Rail Trail is only $150,000 away from being completely funded.
Some reports suggest the donation from the yet-to-be-named family is more than $1 million.
鈥淲ithin the next month or two, a complete story will be told of the local family who was inspired by the community campaign, and potential for the rail trail to support multi-generational healthy families,鈥� said Laurie Postill, North Okanagan Trail Ambassador. 鈥淚n the meantime, there is a final chance for all of our communities to join in to finish the campaign.鈥�
The fundraising target, established nearly two years ago, was $7.8 million.
鈥淔or people closely following campaign progress, the fundraising total may have appeared stalled at 70 per cent,鈥� said Brad Clements, Trail Ambassador, who has led the initiative since 2013, when CN announced a process for the abandonment of the route.
鈥淭he federal pledge (to match $.50 on each $1 raised for new work) plus the recent generosity of this local family has changed everything. It has taken a bit of time for accounting and budgeting, but we are now confident that the original target is only $150,000 away.鈥�
The fundraising group, Okanagan Rail Trail Initiative, hopes to raise the funds before July 1 and will disband shortly after.
鈥淚f we overshoot the target, any surplus funds would be available to trail owner jurisdictions to allocate to trail amenities and infrastructure,鈥� said Duane Thomson, Lake Country Trail Ambassador. 鈥淥ur communities have provided remarkable support in bringing this dream to life, and we are rewarded by the reaction from so many ecstatic trail enthusiasts鈥�.
Heather Stewart, 91大黄鸭 Trail Ambassador, adds: 鈥淭his is the last chance to be part of completing this legacy from 91大黄鸭 to Coldstream. Let鈥檚 make it happen.鈥�
