It’s not officially open yet, but the Shuswap North Okanagan Rail Trail from Sicamous to Armstrong is sparking concerns.
Columbia Shuswap Regional District (CSRD) chair Natalya Melnychuk advised directors at their June board meeting that she had met with the District of Sicamous regarding the trail and would be bringing more information to the July board meeting regarding the opening and other items – after they are released from an in-camera meeting.
Electoral Area C director Marty Gibbons asked that the board receive a presentation providing financial information on the rail trail. He pointed out that taxpayers have been paying for the trail, which is not yet open, for the past five or six years.
“I am really interested to know where the taxpayers' dollars are going,” he said. “This trail has been sold to us as being funded completely by grants, not taxpayers in our area, and we’re all paying every month.”
Melnychuk said the Shuswap North Okanagan Rail Trail Joint Roundtable is scheduled to meet late in the summer and will provide an opportunity to learn more there. She also noted staff would look into setting up a presentation to the board.
Sicamous Mayor Colleen Anderson said she was pleased the subject of financials had been highlighted, but also had concerns that although not officially open, the trail is being used and causing concerns among some area residents.
“There needs to be signage put up because people are cutting across people’s properties,” she said. “All of that stuff needs to happen sooner than later.”
Area F director Jay Simpson suggested it would be valuable for directors to have budget and financial information available prior to a round table meeting.
Area E director Rhona Martin had another concern.
“I think these questions are as a result of all of us not being at the table all the time,” she said. “And I think that’s a problem."
"The governance aspect has also been noted,” replied Melnychuk quickly. “To be continued.”
Acting chief administrative officer Ben Van Nostrand pointed out that CSRD financial services manager Jodi Pierce had presented a report on the finances to Sicamous council and asked if Anderson believed the information had been sufficient.
“If we need to be bringing back more to this board, we just want to make sure we’re doing our best to provide everyone with the same information," he said. "So If it wasn’t enough, it would be helpful for us to understand and improve upon that, and maybe bring that forward to a board meeting."
It was agreed that Van Nostrand and Anderson will have further discussions.
Since 2015, trail partners – Splatsin te Secwépemc, the CSRD and the Regional District of North Okanagan (RDNO) – have been collaborating to develop the 50-kilometre greenway for walking and cycling, connecting the communities of Sicamous, CSRD Electoral Area E, RDNO Electoral Area F, Enderby, Splatsin, the Township of Spallumcheen and Armstrong.
